Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez shouldn’t be satisfied he’s within the combat for the 2026 MotoGP title, regardless of scoring a sensational victory on the British Grand Prix.
Whereas Fernandez’s very future in MotoGP was doubtful only a few months in the past, the Spaniard has rotated his marketing campaign in spectacular style, scoring dash wins at Mugello and Assen earlier than claiming his first grand prix victory of 2026 at Silverstone.
These outcomes have lifted him to sixth place within the riders’ standings, 56 factors behind the manufacturing unit Aprilia of Jorge Martin with 10 rounds nonetheless to run. He has additionally secured a brand new two-year contract with Trackhouse, extending his keep within the premier class till 2028.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old insists his lack of frontrunning expertise will depend in opposition to him, notably in opposition to the likes of Martin, Marco Bezzecchi and Ducati’s Marc Marquez.
“Everyone thinks that I can combat for the title. I do not really feel that I’m a title contender,” he mentioned on Thursday forward of this weekend’s Aragon GP.
“I all the time attempt to clarify that, till the numbers say no, I’ll attempt to do my greatest. However I’m the rider who must be there in some races, but additionally I’m the rider who could make the error as a result of I haven’t got the expertise that they’ve proper now.
“Marc was world champion final yr, Jorge [was champion] two years in the past, Marco final yr was third within the championship. Since 2021, I haven’t got this sense of being aggressive. So, for me, we’re nonetheless not a title contender.”
Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Racing
Picture by: Gold and Goose Pictures / LAT Pictures / by way of Getty Pictures
Fernandez started to point out indicators of a breakthrough in the direction of the top of the 2025 season, registering his first MotoGP victory on the Australian Grand Prix.
He began coming underneath strain once more initially of this yr, however has established himself as a constant frontrunner in current races, taking the combat to his youthful team-mate Ai Ogura, who scored his personal maiden grand prix win at Assen.
However with Ogura pressured out of the Aragon GP as a result of a wrist damage, Fernandez will now lead Trackhouse’s cost at MotorLand.
Whereas uncertain about his possibilities this weekend, the two-time grand prix winner didn’t shrink back from admitting he’s having fun with the strongest run of type of his profession.
“We all know that Marc right here is tremendous quick. For positive, the state of affairs in comparison with final yr is somewhat bit totally different. I do not actually know what we will anticipate in regards to the weekend,” he defined.
“We’ll do our most. We’ll attempt to be targeted on what we will management. So, let’s examine what we will do.
“I believe my confidence is at the very best second in my profession, however we all know that we’re in MotoGP. All of the riders which can be listed here are tremendous robust. It is not going to be straightforward conserving the extent. So, let’s attempt to do our greatest and let’s examine what we will do.”
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