Raúl Fernández ruled out of Australian GP as injury toll mounts to six riders at Phillip Island
Raúl Fernández will miss Sunday’s MotoGP race at the Australian Grand Prix after being declared unfit to compete due to lingering injury complications.
The Trackhouse MotoGP Team rider sustained a fractured right index finger in a crash during the Indonesian GP, and subsequent medical evaluation at Phillip Island revealed inflammation around the fracture site has worsened, forcing his withdrawal from the event.
Fernández initially attempted to soldier on during Saturday’s sprint race despite the pain. However, the physical demands of the challenging Phillip Island circuit exacerbated his discomfort, causing him to retire on lap nine of the 13-lap sprint. The injury directly impacts his ability to use the front brake effectively, a critical control for any MotoGP rider. Following the sprint, Fernández underwent a detailed medical assessment with MotoGP’s chief medical officer, confirming the fracture remains stable but the surrounding soft tissue inflammation is significant enough to compromise his race fitness.
His absence adds to an alarming list of six injured riders sidelined for the Australian round, including Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Fermín Aldeguer, Toprak Razgatlioglu, and Jorge Martín. This reduced the race grid to just 18 riders, highlighting the physical toll the season’s demanding schedule is exacting on the premier class.
Fernández’s withdrawal represents a major setback for both the rider and Trackhouse, particularly as Phillip Island is the circuit where the Spaniard secured his maiden MotoGP victory just a year ago. The team now faces the challenge of regrouping without one of their key performers for the remainder of the weekend.
Looking ahead, Fernández will commence a targeted rehabilitation program aimed at reducing inflammation and restoring full mobility to his right hand. He is scheduled for a follow-up medical examination next Thursday in Malaysia, ahead of the Sepang Grand Prix. His participation in the Malaysian round remains uncertain and will depend on his recovery progress. The stable nature of the fracture is a positive sign, but only a reduction in pain and improved functionality will permit a safe return to racing.
The Australian GP weekend thus marks an early end to Fernández’s campaign at Phillip Island, underscoring the unforgiving nature of MotoGP’s physical demands and the fine margins that separate competing at the highest level from forced absences. The Spanish rider’s focus now shifts to recovery and the hope of rejoining the grid at Sepang once medically cleared.