The reigning Moto2 world champion informed Motorsport.com he’s “actually comfortable” for a 2024 deal to have been accomplished amid rumours he would lose his seat to KTM prodigy Acosta, who’s at the moment second within the Moto2 standings.
Acosta already confirmed earlier this 12 months that he can be stepping as much as MotoGP in 2024, however with KTM having Pol Espargaro, Brad Binder and Jack Miller on two-year offers, Fernandez’s future was unsure.
Fernandez had his finest MotoGP end result to date on the French Grand Prix, ending fourth, and has scored in each Sunday race this 12 months.
Forward of the British Grand Prix, he has now confirmed he’ll stay at Tech3 subsequent season, with the staff saying the plan is for him to trip alongside present team-mate Espargaro – who will make his MotoGP return at Silverstone having been out since March with critical accidents.
Requested whether or not Acosta’s impending promotion had affected him, he stated: “You consider that and also you’re frightened, however now it’s completed so tremendous comfortable to remain right here.”
He added: “I’m comfortable to stick with the identical folks, as a result of this helps loads.”
Talking about his objectives for subsequent 12 months, Fernandez stated: “First we’ve got a giant job on this second half, so let’s see how we end.
“I believe we will do good issues this second half, we might be nearer to KTM, to the official staff and the highest guys after which we’ll see subsequent 12 months.”
In July, KTM boss Stefan Pierer informed Speedweek that Fernandez’s contract had been prolonged, and that “it would all work out” regardless of having three riders for 2 seats.
He additionally stated Espargaro would return to the staff subsequent season “if he performs as anticipated” upon his return from damage.
Requested by Motorsport.com whether or not he thought Pierer’s feedback have been shocking given he has a contract for subsequent 12 months, Espargaro stated he knew he wanted to carry out to maintain his trip.
Pol Espargaro, Tech3 GASGAS Manufacturing facility Racing
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Espargaro stated: “No, however that is clear. We’re all right here, we have to carry out, it’s not shocking.
“I’ve been in MotoGP already [almost] 10 years and I at all times have a transparent concept that if I wish to keep in MotoGP, I must carry out.
“It’s the one manner, and particularly within the state of affairs I’m that I come again from an enormous damage and never racing a lot, the doubts are there, for positive, however the doubts are there for everybody, me included.
“So I’m the primary one who needs to return again in my regular state. For positive I’ve for 2023 and 2024 signed a contract, however for positive I’m the primary one which I wish to carry out and if not I’ll transfer aside.
“I really like the manufacturing facility, I’m yet one more rider of this manufacturing facility however I actually really feel like I’m part of it, I’m part of this household, and I cannot hesitate to maneuver aside if there was an improve, as a result of what I need is to see the manufacturing facility shining.”
Acosta’s possible vacation spot stays Tech3, except KTM can discover a last-minute answer to its house downside – one thing that does not look doable at this stage.
KTM had approached LCR Honda boss Lucio Cecchinello about partnering up in 2024, however he stated “it isn’t my intention” to separate with Honda.
The transfer would have handed KTM an extra two areas on the grid, easing its seat points, however Cecchinello intends to honour his contract with HRC, which runs till the top of 2024.
KTM had already sought the opportunity of shopping for out the grid slots vacated by Suzuki on the finish of final 12 months to subject a second satellite tv for pc squad, however was denied by Dorna Sports activities, who’s reserving this for a manufacturing facility entrant.
It’s thought KTM approached Gresini Racing a couple of potential tie-up for 2024 on the Dutch GP forward of the summer time break, however Ducati is about to increase its contract with the Italian squad.
