Raul Fernandez, in MotoGP at Tech 3 for 2022

In Austria, on home soil, KTM has just formalized the rise of Raul Fernandez to the premier category for the 2022 season. The Spaniard, who races for the Ajo team in Moto2, is fighting for the title against his teammate Remy Gardner, whom he will join next year in the French Tech 3 team.

« I am very happy with this opportunity that KTM is giving me, both for this year and for the next, Fernandez said.. I really enjoyed Moto2 and I was able to position myself to have this chance to join the MotoGP and I'm very grateful: it's every driver's dream to reach this category. »

Breaking #MotoGP news as @ 25RaulFernandez will join the first class with @ Tech3Racing in 2022: https://t.co/W4MxJeh1sK pic.twitter.com/CuMrXqNLMt

— Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (@KTM_Racing) August 7

Fernandez, however, does not lose his objective for the rest of the season. “ For now the most important thing is to continue to focus on this season and give everything I have until the last race to try to fight for the championship, he added. If it doesn't work, too bad, there is a reason for everything, and you have to look on the bright side of things. I am a rookie this year and I want to close this chapter before leaving for 2022 where I will try to find good sensations on the bike and, above all, to have fun. »

This formalization should initially have only appeared on Monday, but Fernandez's entourage having been a little too insistent with the competition, namely Yamaha, this would not have been to the taste of the Austrian factory which preferred cut short all negotiations. The press release was therefore released before the qualifications to everyone's surprise.

This shakes up the MotoGP scene somewhat since by joining the ranks of Hervé Poncharal's structure, he deprives Iker Lecuona and Danilo Petrucci of a handlebar for the coming season. The first should be able to bounce back in Moto2 and the second will have to knock on the door of World Superbike, a paddock he frequented before entering MotoGP. Petrucci could also move towards rally with participation in the Dakar in the sights.

Another consequence of Fernandez signing with Tech 3 is the pool of potential riders that could interest the Petronas Yamaha SRT team. With the announcement of the retirement of Valentino Rossi and the passage (in theory) of Franco Morbidelli in the official team with fabio quartararo, options are becoming increasingly rare for Razlan Razali, boss of the Malaysian team. Marco Bezzecchi aspires to one of the two handlebars, but a second place would in any case remain to be filled. Marcel Schrötter, Jake Dixon, Joe Roberts are at the heart of the rumors, but for the moment nothing is clear. Yamaha could also bet on Augusto Fernandez whose future is uncertain at Marc VDS in Moto2.