Trackhouse Racing Team Delays Upgrade for Raul Fernandez
Kosport Magazine – 05/05/2024
The MotoGP season is in full swing and the competition is heating up. One team that has been making headlines is Trackhouse Racing Team, who recently acquired RNF Racing. With the takeover came a request for upgraded machinery, which has caused some delays for one of their riders, Raul Fernandez.
Fernandez, the only rider within the Aprilia contingent to start the season with last year’s bike, was originally supposed to receive the latest-spec machinery at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. However, due to production difficulties, his debut with the new bike has been pushed back until the post-race test at Circuito de Jerez on Monday.
This delay has caused some speculation about whether Fernandez will get to race with the upgraded bike at the following round in France. But Trackhouse team principal Davide Brivio remains optimistic, stating, “We are happy to be back in Europe with the iconic Jerez race which, this time, will be Raul’s home race.”
Brivio also expressed excitement about the progress the team has made so far and their potential for the upcoming races. However, he also acknowledged that they have yet to show their full potential and will need to be at their best in all areas to optimize their performance.
The delay in Fernandez’s upgrade only covers the chassis side of the bike, as the regulations require him to stay with the same engine he started the season with. This means he will continue to have the 2023 motor fitted to his new ’24 bike, putting him at a disadvantage compared to his teammate Miguel Oliveira and the factory Aprilia duo of Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales.
In the past, Aprilia’s satellite team RNF Racing always had to make do with year-old equipment. But with Trackhouse’s entry into MotoGP, they made a point of getting the latest-spec machinery from Aprilia. This caught the Italian company by surprise, but they were able to accommodate the request and expand their supply of 2024 bikes.
Due to production difficulties and a limited timeframe, Aprilia could only have one additional 2024 bike ready for pre-season testing, which went to Oliveira. However, they have maintained that they will be able to supply another 2024 version of the RS-GP for Fernandez by the middle of the year.
With the delay in Fernandez’s upgrade, some have speculated about the possibility of a mid-season promotion for young sensation Pedro Acosta, who has been making waves in Moto3. But only time will tell if he will follow in the footsteps of Max Verstappen and make the jump to MotoGP mid-season.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on Fernandez and the Trackhouse Racing Team as they continue to make their mark in the MotoGP world. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis from Kosport Magazine.
