Marco Bezzecchi
Michael Laverty sang Raul Fernandez’s praises following his victory in the Italian Grand Prix Sprint race, pinpointing one ‘clever’ decision in the lead-up to the race as a leading factor in the Spaniard’s win.
Having already secured his maiden Grand Prix victory at last year’s Australian Grand Prix, Raul Fernandez is now a race winner across both formats in MotoGP after taking the chequered flag first in the Mugello Sprint race on Saturday.
What more can Raul Fernandez do to ensure that he is on the MotoGP grid next season?
The Trackhouse rider was untouchable in the Mugello Sprint!
The Trackhouse rider, who is yet to receive word of what his future in the premier class holds for him, muscled his way past Marc Marquez at turn two to take the lead. He was largely uncontested from there.
Jorge Martin attempted to remain in his slipstream, but Fernandez appeared to know every trick in the book at Mugello as his tighter racing line proved to be the optimal way to ensure that victory was his.
Michael Laverty applauds Raul Fernandez’s ‘clever’ tyre choice in Italian GP Sprint
Another stroke of genius for Fernandez was his choice of rear tyre compound. His Trackhouse-liveried Aprilia bike was fitted with medium tyres, with him and Martin being the only riders on the grid who opted for the compound.
It proved to be a crucial factor in his victory, with MotoGP pundit Michael Laverty applauding his ‘clever’ decision during TNT Sports’ analysis of the 11-lap Sprint at Mugello.
Raul Fernandez beats Jorge Martin in the Sprint! Who impressed you the most at Mugello?
“Yeah, exceptional – I couldn’t have called that one,” Laverty began. “I’ve got to say, he’s looked good all weekend, but not as dominant as what he showed today.
“It was a shrewd move to go for the medium tyre; it looked like he was set on that from the outset. Jorge Martin made a late switch, and they were one-two. So that was very clever by Aprilia, by both engineers, and by the riders.
“It was a gut instinct move, but you could see it paid off. Sometimes the extra grip pushes the front, but today, they had everything covered, just looked so solid in the braking zones, turning, and accelerating. It was all working.”
- READ MORE: Raul Fernandez hasn’t liked Jorge Martin for 10 years as Catalan GP spat reignites rivalry
Trackhouse must offer Raul Fernandez a new contract after maiden Sprint win
Following his tangle with Martin during the last round of racing in Barcelona, Raul Fernandez’s future with Trackhouse looked to be in jeopardy. Aprilia chief Massimo Rivola was furious with the move, shown through his exchange with Davide Brivio inside the pit lane.
However, his win on Saturday at Mugello has further reinforced the notion that the Spaniard is a seriously good prospect for Trackhouse, as well as Aprilia.
Current teammate Ai Ogura has already outlined that he will be moving on from Trackhouse at the end of the term, so the American team must ensure they have a capable crop of talent on their roster for MotoGP’s new era of regulations in 2027.
Given his fine form already this season, Fernandez has cemented himself as exactly that. If they don’t lock him down, other manufacturers are certain to come calling.
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