New year, new season. The first day of testing didn’t go well for second-year MotoGP rider Augusto Fernandez. He expressed his frustration, stating, “I’m still slow. I’m f***ing slow.” Fernandez has a history of surpassing low expectations and overcoming challenges. He entered Moto2 as an outsider but quickly established himself as a strong competitor. Despite setbacks, he eventually became the Moto2 champion. In MotoGP, he faced uncertainty but proved himself against tough competition. Now, at 26 years old, Fernandez faces another hurdle. He is in a contract year, riding for a manufacturer with impressive bikes and partnered with a rookie teammate who poses a threat to his MotoGP career.
The three-day test at Sepang only intensified the pressure on Fernandez. His rookie teammate, Pedro Acosta, had additional time at the Malaysian venue, which partially explains his faster lap times. Fernandez struggled throughout the test, lacking rear grip and experiencing a crash that further hindered his performance. Acosta consistently outperformed him, leaving Fernandez feeling frustrated and lacking confidence.
Despite his difficulties at the test, it is expected that Fernandez will improve as the race weekend approaches. However, simply returning to his 2023 level of performance won’t be sufficient, especially considering Acosta’s impressive debut. Fernandez can find some reassurance in Pit Beirer’s, the motorsport boss of the Pierer Mobility Group, comments about prioritizing a stable roster of riders for 2025. However, there are expectations for Fernandez to show significant improvement in his second year, similar to other riders who have experienced a 200% increase in points. The Gas Gas team wants to see Fernandez score around 200 points this season to secure his place within the team.
The Sepang test results were not promising for Fernandez. While it’s important to remember that it was just one test, his struggles cannot be ignored. Other riders also faced challenges, and the specific conditions of the track may have played a role. However, with Tech3 expecting a lot from Fernandez and the Gas Gas-badged KTM RC16 gaining popularity, he must quickly overcome his slow start. The team emphasizes the importance of stability, but Fernandez’s performance at Sepang raises concerns about his ability to meet expectations.
According to the Source the-race.com