Let's talk MotoGP: This rider needs to be careful

During the first half of the season, we widely praised MotoGP rider Augusto Fernández for his work as a rookie. But intellectual honesty takes precedence; over the past few races, he has been struggling considerably and this is not noticed anywhere. More broadly, we note that Pierer Mobility Group sometimes experiences large air gaps. Should we be wary of a drop in form within the Tech3 team? Analysis.

 

MotoGP rider in trouble on overseas tour

 

To fully understand the phenomenon, we have to go back to the beginning of the year. For half a season, Augusto was very good in his role ; he learned calmly, without ever falling, even if he lacked some strong results to make his mark this 2023 season. The Spaniard did a very good job, alone, in the absence of his teammate Pol Espargaró.

Then, the situation was resolved at Tech3, where we learned of its confirmation for 2024 after an imbroglio lasting several months. But since Misano, the situation has changed. In 16th position, he concluded his worst weekend in MotoGP, and moreover, it was the first time that he did not score any points on a Sunday of racing during this exercise. The first fall during a Grand Prix occurred in India, before making up for it with a good result in Japan (7th), however in special conditions.

 

 

Then, two new consecutive volumes in Indonesia and Australia, while this pilot had accustomed us to very good regularity in performance. In Buriram, he experienced real disillusionment. First in Q2, he could not do better than 17th on the finish line, also due to a brake problem on the first lap. A negative dynamic is being created, for someone who admitted to feeling a certain form of frustration at the end of the Thai weekend.

 

Its main problem

 

What is difficult in his case is that there is no explanation for his general decline in form. It's hard to accept, but that's how it is; he hasn't progressed much since the start of the year. Certainly, he is gaining experience but we too rarely see him “taking advantage” of his rookie year to project himself ahead, to dare, even if only for a moment. Moreover, falls are not harmful, because modern MotoGP requires falling to perform. You just have to study the two protagonists of the championship to be convinced.

 

 

But these 16th and 17th places in Misano and Buriram are more worrying because we imagined him passing a milestone on GasGas two-thirds of the way through the season. As with Jack Miller, it is very strange that he does not show signs of progress in results.

 

Is it personal or global?

 

In his defense, other KTM riders are struggling a lot lately. Despite good performances in Sprint on the factory machine, “Jackass” experienced weaknesses on Sunday, and seemed to be regressing altogether. We will have the opportunity to talk about it again soon. Brad Binder is still very strong, but one of two things. Firstly, it is not surprising given its level, and again, I personally think that his talent would have allowed him to do even better in certain situations. Then, finally, Pol Espargaró, who has not seen the light of day since the end of the Sprint in Austria – where he was heroic. At one time, we thought Augusto was threatened by his own teammate returning from injury, but given the last rounds (six clean results including three falls in eight races for Pollycio, all for four points), without a doubt ; Pierer Mobility Group's choice of Pedro Acosta was consistent, failing to be optimal in my opinion.

 

 

Why you should pay attention to this parameter

 

In MotoGP, and more broadly at KTM, places are expensive. The KTM Red Bull Ajo team in Moto3 and Moto2 has absolutely incredible performance, rarely seen at the highest level. It has been supplying the factory team with incredible talent for several years now, whether they have time to adapt to the premier class or not.

And in the face of what is happening, Augusto Fernández must progress if he hopes to keep a ride in MotoGP for 2025. Deniz Öncü, Celestino Vietti, José Antonio Rueda and the others, who can reach the highest level in less time than he necessary to write it down. We have already studied it together: the renewal rate is increasingly high, notably thanks to (or because of) KTM's policy.. In three years, riders can move from Moto3 to MotoGP in the orange environment.

To establish itself permanently in the landscape, Augusto absolutely must find performance in 2024, which promises to be difficult, especially if the KTM factory does not provide him with the improvements used by the official team. I'm thinking of this carbon frame which is long overdue from Tech3. He should not focus on consistency, as he has shown that he can sustain good results over a significant period of time. But above all, improve your speed, and get comfortable enough to create some exploits during the season that will make the difference. We just have to look at the case of Fabio DiGiannantonio, who, in two weeks, goes from future MotoGP retiree to candidate for the Honda Repsol handlebars.

What do you think of this pilot? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport