Yamaha’s Strategic Move: Eyeing Augusto Fernandez as MotoGP Test Rider Amidst Rebuilding Phase

Choosing an ex-KTM rider like Augusto Fernandez for a test position in MotoGP is a logical move for Yamaha

Despite facing challenges in his MotoGP racing career, Augusto Fernandez stepping into a test role with Yamaha could be beneficial for both sides.

Yamaha is actively undergoing a revitalization effort, aiming to reclaim a leading position in MotoGP competition. With team leader Lin Jarvis set to leave his role at the year's end, the British executive has been instrumental in shaping various critical aspects of Yamaha's strategy for success.

Initially, the team achieved a significant milestone by extending the contract of 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo for an additional two years, keeping him on board until the conclusion of 2026. The agreement, which sees Quartararo receiving €12 million each season, represents a substantial financial commitment. Nonetheless, it is anticipated to be a valuable investment.

Through the first 10 races, Quartararo has easily outperformed other riders on Japanese motorcycles, occupying the 14th position in the rankings with 49 points, a significant 35 points ahead of Johann Zarco, who is with LCR Honda.

Yamaha has ensured stability within its team by securing Alex Rins with a new contract for the upcoming two years. A significant step towards accelerating its development has been achieved by successfully acquiring a satellite partner, especially after RNF opted to join forces with Aprilia at the conclusion of 2022.

When Ducati was unsuccessful in persuading Marc Marquez to sign with Pramac for a ride on their factory Desmosedici, Pramac decided to establish a long-term affiliation with Yamaha to serve as its satellite team in the upcoming season. Although no riders have been officially announced, several prominent names are being considered, including MotoGP riders like Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller, as well as contenders from Moto2.

This transformation follows a series of significant staff adjustments during the winter, most notably the recruitment of Max Bartolini, who previously served as Gigi Dall'Igna's deputy at Ducati. Yamaha has acknowledged the essential shift in its organizational culture, signaling a promising turn in its fortunes.

In recent years, Yamaha has strengthened its testing team, incorporating three-time Grand Prix victor Cal Crutchlow into the fold following his retirement from competitive racing at the close of 2020, and has expanded its testing operations beyond Japan.

Earlier in the season, Quartararo advocated for increased investment in the testing program, at a time when it was uncertain whether Yamaha would maintain a satellite team by 2025.

"Quartararo dismissed the idea that not having a satellite Yamaha team next year would be catastrophic, before Pramac's agreement with the Japanese brand was finalized. "However, I believe it's a prime opportunity to further enhance our test team," he noted.

"Having an additional rider with Crutchlow, increasing the number of bikes and staff involved, is definitely advantageous. It's always beneficial to have a satellite team. However, the progress we've achieved from last season to the current one with the race team is remarkable. Perhaps it's time to consider expanding the test team as well."

Under the existing regulations, Yamaha benefits from exceptions that allow it to conduct in-season testing with its racing team. Crutchlow plays a crucial role in this process, however, his ability to fulfill his testing duties has been significantly affected this year due to a hand injury and issues arising from surgery on the injury.

During the weekend of the British Grand Prix, there were rumors reported by es.motorsport.com about Yamaha's interest in bringing on Augusto Fernandez as a permanent test rider starting in 2025.

Remy Gardner, who filled in during the German and British Grand Prix due to an injury, is believed to be the preferred choice of the Japanese bike maker. However, at Silverstone, the Australian dismissed this idea, believing that juggling a World Superbike season along with a MotoGP testing position would not be a smart move.

Gardner expressed skepticism about the notion, suggesting it would be counterproductive. He pointed out, "It's essentially a totally different motorcycle. While I believe I could eventually perform equally well, transitioning from one bike to another weekly is not ideal when aiming to concentrate on a singular championship."

At 26, Fernandez will be without a team once the current season concludes, failing to earn a third-year contract with KTM at Tech3. Despite being the Moto2 world champion in 2022, he has struggled significantly in the MotoGP circuit for the past season and a half.

In his first season racing with a challenging KTM setup, he was at a disadvantage as he couldn't gain insights from his veteran teammate, Pol Espargaro. Espargaro was sidelined due to severe injuries from a crash during practice at the start of the 2023 season, rendering him unavailable until the British Grand Prix in August.

Securing a fourth-place finish at Le Mans and achieving three additional top-10 finishes in Grand Prix races highlighted moments of brilliance, leading KTM to extend his contract through 2024. However, accumulating only 15 points over the initial 10 rounds, and peaking with an 11th-place finish in Portugal, were not enough to secure his position for the 2025 season. Given the limited opportunities in both MotoGP and World Superbikes, taking up a role as a test rider for Yamaha might be a favorable move for Fernandez.

From Yamaha's perspective, he might be the ideal candidate to propel the project forward.

Although Fernandez might not shine as brightly as some of Yamaha's previous test riders such as Crutchlow, Jorge Lorenzo, or Jonas Folger, his performance is sufficiently competitive to ensure that his insights are valuable.

Throughout the first quarter sessions of this season and comparing his times to the quickest, his average shortfall stands at 0.863 seconds over the initial 10 races. Remaining less than a second behind the leading riders in a consistent setting is precisely the performance a manufacturer desires. It's not anticipated that a test rider will outpace the regular racers, but rather be sufficiently swift to effectively evaluate new products.

Transitioning directly from competing in races to taking on a testing position is beneficial for Yamaha, as it ensures Fernandez stays agile and familiar with the dynamics of a contemporary MotoGP motorcycle. This advantage becomes particularly significant when he participates in wildcard events, potentially entering up to six races in 2025.

His understanding of KTM's strengths and weaknesses will be a valuable asset for Yamaha.

Furthermore, Yamaha's expansion to a lineup of four motorcycles by 2025 elevates the possibility of requiring a substitute due to injury. As Crutchlow is currently sidelined due to an injury, Yamaha had to bring in Gardner from WSBK to fill in for Alex Rins at the Sachsenring, and was initially set to take Crutchlow's wildcard spot at Silverstone. However, following Rins' withdrawal because of an injury, Gardner was advanced to take Rins' place.

Gardner managed to avoid embarrassment, ending up 50.115 seconds behind the winner in Germany and 59.137 seconds off the lead in Britain. Nonetheless, failing to secure any points was far from perfect for Yamaha. Fernandez, who has shown potential for top 10 finishes when conditions are right, could be a reliable substitute for Yamaha if required.

It seems unlikely that Fernandez will secure a permanent spot on the MotoGP racing circuit after this year. However, staying within the grand prix community as a test rider, with the chance to participate in select races, could be more beneficial for his career than transitioning to a mediocre position in the World Superbike Championship.

As demonstrated by Michele Pirro and others at Ducati, it's possible to become a crucial contributor to a MotoGP team's success while remaining out of the limelight.

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