Let's talk MotoGP: The performance of the year for Augusto Fernández?

We are really delighted to have you back for a new article on our favorite of the 2023 season: Augusto Fernández. We praised him after Austin, in an analysis that you can find by clicking on this highlighted sentence. After his performance at Le Mans, we repeat. The Tech3 driver was fantastic all weekend, not just during the race, and he fully deserves his article for what is, perhaps, the performance of the year.


I) The right approach


After the Grand Prix of the Americas, we praised his state of mind and more particularly, his approach. It must be said that we are following the phenomenon – Do not be scarred by words – since 2019, when he was with Pons in Moto2. Before the start of the season, we were theorizing that he was going to be better than Remy Gardner and Raúl Fernández for several reasons..

In Moto2, particularly during the 2022 season, we have detected a Very high “racing IQ”, especially after Silverstone. Watching him evolve, we already imagined him as a MotoGP rider, ready to take on this challenge. Before him, alone Miguel Oliveira had given us this feeling over the last few years. These are drivers who do not rely on explosiveness and pure speed although they have it if necessary.

 

Very calm, composed, thoughtful in his excesses, Augusto Fernández asserted himself throughout the 2022 season and looked towards 2023 as necessary, that is to say by keeping this approach. Since the start, he has been learning, and above all, gaining confidence by not falling. Warning: in current MotoGP, you also “must” fall because speed is necessary to perform. This is why his mistake during Saturday's Sprint is not detrimental.


II) A weekend of fire


This is what we want to focus on: His Le Mans weekend was monstrous, from Saturday morning. As if insensitive to pressure, he managed to put out some very good laps in Q1 and eliminated, with Luca marini, Fabio Quartararo at home which is already a feat.

A fall during the Sprint then during the warmup, but these falls are necessary for learning. IIt would be stupid to expect a MotoGP rider to never fall. The most important thing is that they do not alter confidence and more broadly, partner.

Thus, the quality of the reaction takes precedence. And what a reaction. On Sunday, Augusto Fernandez followed John Zarco to return to the top of the ranking as the leaders fall, and let's not hide our faces, its result is also due to this parameter.

This demonstrates unparalleled racing intelligence. In this particular context, the reigning Moto2 world champion could have done too much without anyone holding it against him.

 

III) What will the sequel look like?

After the race, the Spaniard spoke widely about his performance and declared that he was starting to develop a feeling with his GASGAS. You have to be careful about this, because the truth of Le Mans is perhaps not that of Mugello. This is a good sign, but a rookie in his position must be careful not to ask too much now that he thinks he has found the solution, especially since the performance of the GasGas/KTM varies quite widely depending on the meeting. YOU.

That said, we are convinced that a driver as intelligent as him will be able to maintain this confidence as long as possible, even in a difficult context with the pressure of the result – in fact, with the various rumors concerning Peter Acosta and the situation of his predecessors – or the absence of a teammate.

We are more optimistic than ever about Augusto Fernández, just as we are very happy to see the Tech3 institution shine again with yet another talent who fits perfectly into the philosophy of this team. In truth, we will have to watch him closely at Mugello because if he repeats a solid weekend without excess confidence, whatever the result, we may be dealing with a future crack.

Do you think that Augusto Fernández can establish himself permanently in MotoGP ? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport