Spanish MotoGP rider Raúl Fernández wrapped up a demanding testing period with a mix of relief and critical reflection, highlighting important technical progress alongside areas needing improvement. Returning home after rigorous sessions in Thailand, he underscored the successful completion of vital work on the bike’s aerodynamics, which could shape his upcoming season. At the same time, Fernández pointed out that qualifying pace remains a significant challenge as he looks ahead.
Finishing Strong in Testing Demonstrates Physical and Technical Resilience
For Fernández, closing the test with both physical exhaustion and a sense of achievement was a key milestone. As he stated,
“I hadn’t felt this physically exhausted in a while, and it’s a sign of positive progress after a grueling winter of training.”
The taxing nature of the preparation was balanced by the satisfaction of completing essential development work without incident. This perseverance was crucial given the technical focus of the sessions.
He emphasized the aerodynamic package as the primary area of technical decision-making during the tests. Fernández explained,
“This is where we decide the aerodynamic package; we can’t afford to make changes in Thailand due to time constraints.”
Confirming confidence in the setup, he added,
“I believe we’ve done a good job. The aerodynamic package is set, and we’re heading in the right direction.”
Persistent Qualifying Issues Pose Familiar Obstacles
Despite overall optimism, Fernández acknowledged ongoing difficulties replicating qualifying form from earlier in his career. He admitted,
“We’re facing a déjà vu from mid-last year, where I consistently mentioned our struggles with qualifying.”
On the final day of testing, he pushed the bike harder to explore its full potential but encountered recurring problems, particularly with the soft tire performance.
Fernández described these struggles in detail:
“As I tried to extract a bit more, the same problems with the soft tire cropped up again. For me, we still have too much grip, making it difficult to feel completely comfortable on the bike.”
This unexpected challenge stems from his riding style, which favors lower grip levels for better control.
Riding Preferences Highlight Unique Challenges on the Track
Fernández elaborated on his affinity for managing the bike under less grip, which contrasts with typical rider preferences. He explained,
“I’m a rider who enjoys riding with less grip because that’s how I’ve always ridden.”
He recalled that last season, as tire grip diminished over a race weekend, his qualifying results improved due to his ability to utilize the front tire more effectively.
“I began to qualify a bit better because I was able to use the front tire effectively,”
he noted.
The Spaniard remains hopeful about resolving these challenges through his team’s collective expertise. He acknowledged the advantage of working alongside his teammate Marco, saying,
“It’s always beneficial to have Marco around.”
However, he also recognized the faster problem-solving pace of factory teams compared to his own, stating,
“The biggest difference is that they manage to solve problems a bit quicker than we do. We require more time to understand our issues because, ultimately, they are a factory team.”
Confidence Builds Despite Remaining Work Ahead
Looking forward, Fernández expressed positive outlook as the bike’s setup neared completion. He shared,
“I’m pleased; the bike has been finalized, and I’m convinced it closely resembles Marco’s setup, which is promising for the upcoming year.”
He emphasized the importance of mastering small details to maximize performance in future races.
Fernández also attributed some of the rapid lap times during testing to exceptional track conditions, noting,
“This is a track where testing has occurred for six days, and the grip levels are through the roof. We’ve been riding incredibly fast.”
This context helps explain the competitive times recorded but also sets the stage for challenges at other venues like Buriram.
In closing, Fernández conveyed steady determination fueled by progress from the previous year, stating,
“We’ve taken significant steps last year. I know we can do it. It’s all about hard work, patience, and trusting that the team will find the solution.”
As the new MotoGP season approaches, the focus will be on whether these insights translate into stronger qualifying sessions and race performances for the Spanish rider.
