Yamaha Confirms Augusto Fernandez as Part of MotoGP Test Team
Yamaha has confirmed Augusto Fernandez alongside Cal Crutchlow to lead its MotoGP test team in 2025
Augusto Fernandez’s two-year stint as a full-time MotoGP rider for KTM came to an end in 2024 as he was moved aside for Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini - Pedro Acosta also left the team to join the factory Red Bull KTM team.
Fernandez, despite a tough rookie season in 2023, was able to flash potential which was highlighted by a season-best fourth place finish at Le Mans. However, that was as good as it got as the former Moto2 champion was outclassed throughout 2024 by Acosta and seemed to take a step back.
That said, Yamaha was keen to bring the ex-KTM rider on board and he will now form one of the best test teams in MotoGP alongside Crutchlow, who has suffered injuries in the last couple of seasons which has resulted in less testing.
Speaking about his new deal, Fernandez said: “I'm very happy and super excited to join Yamaha as a test rider for 2025. It's a huge honour to be part of the Yamaha family, and I want to thank everyone who made it happen.
“In this amazing new project, I will do my best to help Yamaha to be back where they deserve to be.”
Yamaha will return to a two-team/four-bike project in 2025 after managing to bring Pramac across from Ducati. Its riders in the satellite team will be Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira, while the factory Monster Energy Yamaha team remains unchanged with Fabio Quartararo alongside Alex Rins.
Behind the KTM test duo of Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro, Yamaha’s new line-up could be considered one of the best alongside Honda’s new test team which involves Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami.
Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Racing Managing Director, confirmed Fernandez will be Yamaha’s replacement rider in 2025 while also admitting that the arm issues Crutchlow has been dealing with meant a second test rider was needed.
Jarvis said: “Bike development is a priority for Yamaha as we challenge to return to winning ways at the earliest opportunity. We have signed Augusto to be our second Yamaha Test Rider alongside Cal Crutchlow. Cal was unfortunately unable to fulfil all his testing duties in 2024 and it became obvious that we needed to recruit a second rider to assist us with completing all essential activities for 2025.
“We believe Augusto will be a good fit for both the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team and the YZR-M1 bike. Augusto is young and is fast, and he can test alongside Cal and learn the special methodology required from a full-time test rider.
“Our current performance ranking permits us to take full advantage of the maximum limit for the testing programme. In addition to the tests, we have the idea to participate at up to six wild-card rides, and Augusto will also be the go-to replacement rider in case any one of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team riders or Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders are unable to race at any time in 2025.
“The many riding opportunities should allow Augusto to maintain his racing speed while he proceeds with the intensive testing obligations. Augusto has already started to work with us off track and his first real test participation will be at the shakedown test in Sepang at the end of January 2025.
“In the meantime, we are following closely Cal's improving physical condition after his arm issues this year, and we hope he will be able to return as soon as possible to resume his testing duties.”
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
