Let’s talk MotoGP: We need to talk about this rider!

The Parlons MotoGP section has always tried to highlight riders little discussed elsewhere, en more to create debates, of course. Today, let's focus on a driver who has had a particularly convincing three weeks, namely, Raúl Fernández. Here is a little analysis that might make you aware of its great progress.

 

A click against Aprilia

 

It was in Misano that the situation was resolved. With an eighth place finish, he recorded his best result since his arrival in MotoGP, which is not far from negligible. As I will try to present to you implicitly, he arrived completely against the grain. Aprilia, on the upward slope a third of the way through the season, was never able to repeat Barcelona's feat. But since Noale's firm has been in difficulty – the word is appropriate given the results on the one hand, but also the statements of the drivers, he is the only one to truly perform.

 

 

In Misano, the officials blamed the grip on the track, apparently too much. But they were unable to really explain what was wrong with Buddh. The route was stop & go, a natural weak point of the RS-GP but which had been erased at Spielberg. But still, Raúl Fernández did well, even very well, recording his first points in the Sprint, and finishing in the top 10 again in the main race.

Then, at Motegi, another stop & go circuit par excellence, he was not ridiculous in the rain but also in the dry, even qualifying in Q2 from the first session. It is these three results acquired in different contexts that push me to write this article today; for the first time since his arrival in the premier category, the Spaniard is building a very good momentum. What is astonishing is that he is not relying on the qualities of the Aprilia to perform, given that the officials, but also Miguel Oliveira, have been in difficulty over these last three rounds. Isn't this the start of something? It's difficult to say, but in any case, what he has been proposing over the past month can put us on the path.

 

Generational talent

 

Raúl Fernández's explosion was brutal, at least as much as his descent into hell in 2022. Revealed during the 2021 Moto2 season, he amazed the entire paddock as a rookie, even failing to beat his teammate Remy Gardner for the title . Then, this signing with KTM Tech3 did not work out for him, which is rare for a young talent within the French team.. We immediately understood that we were dealing with a strong character, and many criticized him for this; certainly not us, in a category that sorely lacks arrogance – why not dedicate an article to it.

 

 

But it is clear that his results on the track did not match his attitude! In fact, he had to take it upon himself until this San Marino Grand Prix, more or less. Experiencing such a desert crossing at his age, with two injuries in two years (one at Tech3 and a difficulty with compartment syndrome at the start of the year at RNF) forge a man. This is why I think we need to be more wary of this driver if he enters into a positive dynamic. He clearly has this mental advantage compared to the other young guns, he experienced a situation which could, at only 22 years old, have put him lower than the earth. This is also how great champions are made, especially since we have already seen what he is capable of. Be careful with this mental parameter that is sometimes too often underestimated.

 

Helped by Miguel

 

I never hid it; I love the pilot that is Miguel Oliveira. But for a few races, he no longer puts one foot in front of the other. In India, he had his worst weekend of the year, and made a poor impression in Motegi. Even before its abandonment in the rain, we did not feel it "as usual", having already proven itself in the wet until very recently. Obviously, this gives more visibility to Raúl Fernández because existing alongside such a driver is difficult in normal times. For me, the Portuguese is “elite” caliber, and could play up front with a suitable factory machine.. The fact that he is struggling a bit (nothing alarming for the moment) reinforces the impression left by Fernández.

 

 

Ranking-wise, it will be difficult for him to play anything, it is already too late. Currently 19th, penultimate of the starting drivers ahead of Joan Mir (not counting Pol Espargaró, injured for a very long time), he might be able to get a Takaaki Nakagami at the end of the race but honest – and yet, he will have to continue for at least another year. He could overtake Álex Rins if he doesn't return, and in the best case scenario, Fabio Di Giannantonio, which would still be honorable given the context.

 

Conclusion

 

There's nothing to worry about, but today I wanted to give you reasons to give him a chance. For the first time since 2022, he drives well, shows good consistency in performance, and above all, does not pale in comparison to a teammate who takes up a lot of space despite his discreet nature – we just have to see the proportion of posts dedicated to them on Twitter. At only 22 years old, he has already gone through difficult stages in the life of a professional pilot; the doubt after the injury, the lack of confidence from the media, and so on. If he uses his experience it can be a great strength so let's all keep an eye on him.

Did you notice his good return? Tell me in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: RNF Racing