KTM call entourage surrounding Raul Fernandez a ‘disaster; we did everything for him’
After set♛ting the wಞorld alight during his rookie season in Moto2 last year, Fernandez’s season in MotoGP has been anything but that.
Very nearly the Moto2 world champion, Fernandez was in the mi🐼ddle of a tug-of-war between KTM and Yamaha, a fight KTM ultimately won due to them holding the Spaniard’s contract rigꦺhts.
But with Fernandez keen to ⛦leave for Yamaha or remain in Moto2 rather than make the step to MotoGP with KTM, it was clear that their marriage appeared to be on rocky grounds.
A slow start to the season which hasn’t improved, along with continued rumourಌs of a switch to Aprilia have since added fuel to the fire in what can only be called a disappointing season together, and one that ജlooks set to end after 2022.
As pa⛦rt of its bid to hold onto Fernandez and please the impressive Moto2 rider last season, KTM brought his younger brother Adrian into the fold by giving h𓃲im an unlikely 2022 seat at its Tech 3 team in Moto3.
How𓄧ever, it’s done little to solve the broken relationship between KTM and Fernandez, with the Austrian manufacturer pointing to the ‘environment’ around Fernandez being a ‘disaster’.
Speaking to SPEE♏DWEEK.COM, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer🍰 said: "Humanly, Fernández’s environment is a disaster. We really tried. It's disappointing.
"We did everything for him, we even hired his brother for the Moto3 ꦏWorld Championship. We did everythin🎃g possible to give him a good all-round package. Disappointing yes.
"We absolutely expected more from Raúl♎. But such disappꦕointments are also part of doing motorsport."
Fernandez to Aprilia, Pol Espargaro to replace him and make return to KTM
Should Fernandez get his wish of leaving𒆙 KTM to join the RNF Aprilia team, then Tech 3 will need a replacement alongside Remy Gardner - the Australian is expected to remain for a second s𒈔eason.
However, an announcement could come as early as this weekend, with Espargaro expected to join the Tech 3 team and therefore seal a move back to the Austrian marque after joining Hondaဣ at the end of 2020.
