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The news had been in the air for months now, and today the official confirmation came: Augusto Fernandez will be a test rider for Yamaha in 2025. The Spanish rider has raced for the last two years in MotoGP with KTM, after spending 6 seasons in Moto2, a class in which he won the world title in 2022.
Fernandez's first commitment with the Iwata Test Team will be in the Sepang shakedowns, scheduled for January 31 to February 2. Throughout the season, he will take part in private and official tests, and wild cards are also planned.
"I'm very happy and super excited to join Yamaha as a test rider for 2025," said Augusto, "It's a huge honour to be part of the Yamaha family and I want to thank everyone who made it happen. In this amazing new project, I will do my best to help Yamaha to be back to where they deserve to be. Can't wait to start our journey together!"
Lin Jarvis, managing director of Yamaha, added, "I am delighted to confirm that Augusto Fernandez is officially joining Yamaha for the 2025 season as a Yamaha Factory MotoGP Test Rider. Bike development is a priority for Yamaha as we challenge to return to winning ways at the earliest opportunity. We have signed Augusto to be our second Yamaha test rider alongside Cal Crutchlow. Cal was unfortunately unable to fulfil all his testing duties in 2024, and it became obvious that we needed to recruit a second rider to assist us with completing all essential tasks for 2025. We believe Augusto will be a good fit for both the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team and the YZR-M1 bike. Augusto is young and is fast, and he can test alongside Cal and learn the special methodology required from a full-time test rider. Our current performance ranking permits us to take full advantage of the maximum limit for the testing programme. In addition to the tests, we have the idea to participate at up to six wild card rides, and Augusto will also be the go-to replacement reference rider in case any one of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team riders or Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders are unable to race at any time in 2025. The many opportunities should allow Augusto to maintain his race speed as he proceeds with intensive testing obligations. Augusto has already started to work with us off track, and his first real participation will be at the shakedown test in Sepang at the end of January 2025. In the meantime, we are following closely Cal's improving physical condition after his arm issues this year and we hope he will be able to return as soon as possible to resume his testing duties."
