RAUL FERNANDEZ CLOSES MOTOGP ™ TECH3 KTM FACTORY RACING ROSTER in 2022
The current Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 ™ star is taking the final step on the path of the KTM GP Academy to compete in the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing RC16 with his current teammate Remy Gardner next season.
Two wins and four podiums in two Moto3 ™ seasons and three wins with a total of six trophies in Moto2: 20-year-old Raul Fernandez will continue his ascent to the top of MotoGP next year with a Tech3 KTM Factory Racing saddle.
The Spaniard, along with Australian Remy Gardner, was the dominant force in Aki Ajo’s Red Bull KTM Ajo team in Moto2 after completing the KTM RC4 in Moto3 in 2020 campaign and on the eve of race day at the Michelin Grand Prix of Styria. Fernandez’s adaptation to the demands of Moto2 and his sustained rapid development as a professional GP rider helped the KTM race management make the decision to move # 25 into the premier class.
KTM’s MotoGP wing is set for 2022 as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will field Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira, and Tech3 KTM Factory Racing will team up with rookies Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner.
Raul Fernandez: “To be honest, I’m very happy about this opportunity from KTM, both this year and next. I learned a lot and enjoyed Moto2 and was able to get into a position where I have this chance to get into MotoGP and for which I am very grateful: It is every rider’s dream to get into this class. At the moment the most important thing is to concentrate on this season and to give everything until the last race to fight for the championship. If it doesn’t work out then fine, everything happens for a reason and you have to look to the positive. I was a rookie this year and want to close the chapter and then start again in 2022, where I want to feel good on the bike and, above all, have fun. “
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director: “I’m happy to announce that Raul will join us in the MotoGP class, and this further proves that our KTM GP Academy project works from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup to MotoGP. We all know that Raul is an outstanding talent. His jump from Moto3 to Moto2 had some question marks but it repeatedly showed that he is an excellent rider on the bigger bike which was our initial thought and hope as he was quite big for Moto3. Getting into MotoGP this quickly wasn’t part of the original plan, but it showed that he had the potential. The Moto2 line-up with Remy is like a dream team at the moment, so bringing them both into the premier class makes them very strong and means that we now have riders for MotoGP who have come through our system. We had – and still have – a similar “dream team” with Brad and Miguel and can now repeat the same story with a different Moto2 line-up. When you know the guys, their background and the way they work and how they feel in the KTM environment, the whole effort becomes stronger. “
Hervé Poncharal, Team Principal Tech3 KTM Factory Racing: “We are delighted, proud and excited to have Raul Fernandez alongside Remy Gardner. I think it’s going to be a very exciting 2022 season with the two brightest talents in the Moto2 category advancing to the premier class. Even if it will be their rookie season, I’m pretty sure they’ll learn quickly and show their potential in MotoGP after a few races. Raul has had an incredible first part of his rookie Moto2 season, which has not been achieved for a long time. Although we are very satisfied with this announcement, we know that we still have half a season ahead of us with our current drivers Danilo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona, whom I would like to thank for their commitment and their never-ending constructive attitude, and we hope for that clearly all the best to you and good luck for the future. “