Raul Fernandez Flies Without Aero Package at MotoGP Australian Grand Prix

Photo: Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

22. 10. 2024 12:00 CET
3 min

Raul Fernandez Flies Without Aero Package at MotoGP Australian Grand Prix

Eliška Ryšánková
News.GP journalist who’s all about the thrilling worlds of MotoGP and Formula 1.

MotoGP trackhouseracing raulfernandez summaries

Raul Fernandez, riding for Trackhouse, had a thrilling experience during the Australian Grand Prix as he competed without the aerodynamic package on his Aprilia MotoGP bike. Phillip Island, known for its powerful winds, is the only track on the MotoGP calendar where riders can remove aerodynamic components. Despite a poor start, Fernandez was excited about the "wingless" experience, describing it as incredible and feeling like he was "flying."

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Raul Fernandez, a Trackhouse rider, competed in the Australian Grand Prix without an aerodynamic package on his Aprilia, and he said that the experience made him feel like he was flying.

Phillip Island is the only circuit on the MotoGP calendar where riders are allowed to remove aerodynamic components due to the strong coastal winds. Fernandez took advantage of this rule as his team stripped the aero elements from his bike, including the wings on the fairing.

Although Fernandez's Grand Prix was marked by a poor start from sixth, he was still thrilled by the feeling of racing wingless around the circuit, as it was the first time in his MotoGP career.

“We tried it yesterday [Saturday], and it worked really well,” he said after Sunday’s race. “This is the only track in the world championship where you’re allowed to remove the wings because of the strong winds.”

After his bad start, Fernandez dropped to 13th after the first lap, but he managed to fight his way up to ninth. However, he lost the position to Fabio Quartararo near the end, finishing 10th. Despite the result, Fernandez was enthusiastic about the bike’s performance.

“Riding without the wings felt amazing. I was really flying,” he said. “The feeling was incredible. I had never ridden without wings before, and it was a great experience. Aprilia trusted me, and I offered myself as a guinea pig to improve the bike. It’s been a long time since I felt this connected to a bike.”

Fernandez believed he had what it took to finish higher. “I think I could have finished fourth. I was catching up with the group ahead toward the end, and our pace was solid. We were even faster than Fabio di Giannantonio’s group.”

The official decision to go wingless was made with the team on Saturday. “It was a bit of a crazy experiment, but we got useful data for next year. The real frustration, though, was losing so many positions at the start,” Fernandez added.

“The key in MotoGP is starting well. We struggle with wheelie at the start, which means I have to close the throttle and lose power,” he explained.

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