Photo: Yamaha MotoGP
Augusto Fernandez to return as Yamaha wildcard at Malaysian Grand Prix
MotoGP summaries yamaharacing augustofernandez motogpmalaysia
Yamaha’s MotoGP test rider Augusto Fernandez will join this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix as a wildcard. His main goal is to help Yamaha collect valuable data for its new V4 engine, as the team works hard to improve performance and satisfy star rider Fabio Quartararo.
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Yamaha’s MotoGP test rider Augusto Fernandez will race at this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix as part of the brand’s plan to develop its brand-new V4 engine.
The Japanese manufacturer is under pressure from Fabio Quartararo, who wants to see real progress with the bike. Because of this, Yamaha has decided to give Fernandez a wildcard ride at Sepang, joining the Yamaha Factory Racing Team led by experienced engineer Silvano Galbusera.
Fernandez was not on the original entry list, but his participation will now help Yamaha to gather more information for its new V4 bike.
Yamaha already has a busy testing schedule ahead. The team will hold a private test at Motorland Aragon on 9–10 November, just before the official Valencia test on 18 November. During these sessions, Fernandez will perform early runs or shakedowns of the four V4 bikes that will be ridden by Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and Toprak Razgatlioglu.
For Razgatlioglu, a three-time World Superbike Champion, this will be his first time riding a MotoGP bike before joining the official grid in Valencia.
Fernandez’s appearance at Sepang will not affect Yamaha’s later testing plan. The team hopes his extra race experience will give valuable data and help improve the new bike quickly. Yamaha is determined to make a big step forward, not only to fight for better results but also to keep Quartararo, whose contract ends next year. The French rider has already said that he might leave if Yamaha cannot deliver a more competitive bike.
Several other familiar faces will also appear at the 2025 Malaysian GP. Michele Pirro, Pol Espargaro, and Lorenzo Savadori will return as replacement riders for Marc Marquez, Maverick Viñales, and Jorge Martín.
Right now, Yamaha sits last in the manufacturers’ standings, 43 points behind Honda. The team has only one Sunday podium in 2025 so far, Quartararo’s second place at the Spanish Grand Prix.
With Fernandez joining the line-up this weekend, Yamaha hopes to collect important data and take one more step towards building a stronger MotoGP bike.
