The situation of KTM rider Raul Fernandez is at an impasse ahead of the next MotoGP season. So much so that its future is truly questionable. He managed to alienate KTM and especially the boss Stefan Pierer who seems determined not to make it easy for him to get out of the contract he has with him. Because there is in fact a contract from which one must pay a heavy penalty to free oneself from it. In his time, with Jorge Martin, with whom the loss was less significant, it went well, as it will go well with Miguel Oliveira. But in the case of the young Spaniard, we are dealing with a personal matter…
This weekend is the Austrian Grand Prix who will keep the news. We are therefore on the lands of KTM and even on the circuit of its title investor which is the aptly named Red Bull Ring. The whole Mattighofen family will be celebrating. But like in all families, there is a black sheep and this is also the case with orange tunics. And while with the three drivers in RC16, we expect pleasant moments, for the fourth who is the young Spaniard, it is the moment to say things eye to eye. And he's even the big boss of the brand, Stefan pierer, which takes care of the development. Starting this Thursday...
We thus read from the CEO of Pierer Mobility AG his words on speedweek without the slightest ambiguity: “ humanly, Raul Fernandez's environment is a disaster. We really tried. It's disappointing ". And he details: “ we did everything for him, we even entered his brother in the Moto3 World Championship. We did everything we could to give him a good all-round package. Disappointing yes. We absolutely expected more from Raúl. But such disappointments are also part of motorcycle sport ».
And we can swallow a disappointment, or react to it to measure its magnitude, and it is this second scenario that Raul fernandez now faces. Rumor has it that KTM demands compliance with the clauses of its contract, unless it pays a penalty of one million euros to get rid of it. A situation that discouraged Ducati who had his sights set on the 2021 Moto2 world vice-champion, and who now seems to be cooling down Aprilia which is currently considering its workforce at its RNF satellite…
KTM: “If someone only seems smug and boastful, it’s not enough”
« I don't know the amount " answers Pierre who however gave his instructions: “ I told Pit Beirer that a certain figure for transfers is essential, as is also the case in football. We invested a lot of money on Raul Fernandez, we took him from the Red Bull Rookies Cup to Moto3 and from Moto2 to the MotoGP World Championship. But no results have been delivered in 2022 ».
This is the first time that things have gone so badly at KTM about a pilot who wants to leave. The latest two examples are George Martin et Miguel Oliveira. But the boss explains that there is the substance, and the form… “ We didn't want to stand in the way of Jorge Martin at the time. Not only did he succeed with us, but he's also a nice guy »Says Stefan pierer. " It always has to do with people. In Austria they say: “ people come together by talking. If someone treats us decently and negotiates reasonably, you can always find a solution ”, as is the case with Miguel Oliveira. I'm glad he found a good team. The Aprilia is certainly not bad. It will be interesting. But if someone only seems smug and boastful, that's not enough ". And we know who is referring to Stefan pierer...
