Fernandez was the one rider throughout the Aprilia contingent to start out the season with final 12 months’s bike, with team-mate Miguel Oliveira getting the latest-spec equipment in 2024 following the takeover of RNF Racing by American outfit Trackhouse.
Initially, it had been communicated to Fernandez that he would transfer to the upgraded RS-GP at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, however his debut outing now has been pushed again till the post-race take a look at on the Circuito de Jerez on Monday.
Aprilia has but to substantiate whether or not Fernandez will get to race with the brand new model of the RS-GP on the following spherical at Le Mans in France on 12 Might.
“We’re completely happy to be again in Europe with the enduring Jerez race which, this time, will probably be Raul’s dwelling race,” Trackhouse crew principal Davide Brivio.
“I am excited to see how far more we will obtain within the coming races after the latest progress we made in Austin with each drivers. I do not assume we confirmed our full potential in Austin and for that we have to be good in all areas over the weekend and optimize our efficiency. Let’s have a look at the place we find yourself on Sunday.
“Then we could have the take a look at on Monday and if all the pieces runs easily through the weekend, Raul could have the primary alternative to briefly take a look at the 2024 bike.”
Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Racing Staff
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
The improve solely covers the chassis aspect of the bike, with the rules forcing the 24-year-old to stick with the identical engine he began the season with.
This implies he’ll proceed to have the 2023 motor fitted to his new ‘24 bike, which means he gained’t have full parity with team-mate Oliveira and manufacturing unit Aprilia duo Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales through the season.
Previously, Aprilia’s satellite tv for pc crew RNF Racing all the time needed to do with year-old gear, however Trackhouse made a degree of getting the latest-spec equipment from Aprilia following its entry into the MotoGP.
Though Trackhouse’s ambitions caught Aprilia abruptly, the corporate’s CEO Massimo Rivola obtained on nicely with the brand new administration and agreed with the request to broaden the availability of 2024 bikes.
Because of manufacturing difficulties and the restricted timeframe, Aprilia may solely have one extra 2024 bike prepared for pre-season testing, which went to Oliveira. Nonetheless, it all the time maintained that it could have the ability to provide one other 2024 model of the RS-GP for Fernandez by the center of the 12 months.
