Augusto Fernandez Closes 1000cc Chapter with Strong Silverstone Wildcard as Yamaha Shifts Focus to 850cc Development
Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez concluded what appears to be his final wildcard appearance on the 1000cc M1 at Silverstone by securing the last point after Fabio Quartararo received a post-race penalty.
Fernandez’s performance stood out as he finished closely behind Pramac’s Toprak Razgatlioglu, registering a best race lap merely half a second shy of the fastest times posted by Quartararo and Jack Miller.
“It’s been a tough weekend for us in general, but personally, I’m happy with the race,” Fernandez reflected. “I was able to close the gap with Toprak, so being close to another Yamaha is good for me. I was half a second from the fastest lap from Fabio [Quartararo] and Jack [Miller], so these weekends are good for me to get back on the pace and be faster for our testing programme, so we can test everything in a better way.” With Yamaha officially closing the 1000cc project, Fernandez confirmed, “This was the last wildcard, so we’re focused now on the 850.”
Amid the substantial changes looming for next season’s 850cc MotoGP machines and the switch to Pirelli tyres, Fernandez addressed the challenge of juggling wildcard races on the 1000cc bike with ongoing development work. “Well, I have to say, the base of both bikes is the same. We are trying to decide a base for next year’s bike, so I’ve been trying things that we can also use for next year,” he explained. “Of course, it’s confusing, especially for myself, because I struggle to be back on the pace immediately [switching back to the 1000cc bike and Michelin tyres]. Especially on the first day, with the time attacks, it’s something that adds to remembering how to use Michelin and everything.”
Despite the complexity, Fernandez remained upbeat about his pace. “But as I said, I’m happy to finish the weekend half a second from the fastest lap of Fabio, and close to another Yamaha. I’m more or less back on the pace to keep trying things in a good way. That was the goal also, to do wildcards to keep my level high. I’m a real MotoGP rider, so work done.”
Looking ahead, Fernandez revealed plans for three 850cc test sessions before the Austrian round, where several MotoGP riders are expected to experience next year’s machinery for the second time. “We have a good program now of testing, so let’s focus on that. I’m looking forward to it,” he concluded, signaling Yamaha’s determined push into the new era of MotoGP racing.