Fernandez & Daniel: Tech3 opts for a ‘veteran’ and a rookie in Moto3

Just before the Austrian Grand Prix, the KTM customer team had slotted the final piece of the MotoGP starting grid into place. The French team confirmed that the young Australian Senna Agius will line up alongside the considerably more experienced Luca Marini. The same strategy is now being applied to the Moto3 category as well.

Günther Steiner’s structure – which had already confirmed the continuation of the Moto3 youth academy when he took over the team from Hervé Poncharal – will field two new riders next year. This is because Rico Salmela is moving ‘internally’ to the Finnish KTM branch to join Niklas Ajo, whilst Valentin Perrone is moving up to Moto2.

The experienced Adrian Fernandez is set to step up. The younger brother of MotoGP ace Raul Fernandez has already contested nearly 100 Grand Prix races in the Moto3 World Championship – he started as a regular rider back in 2021. Tech3 are also familiar with the Spaniard. They raced together once before in 2022, though the season ended rather unsuccessfully with a 20th place in the overall standings. Now, then, comes a fresh start with the 22-year-old, who has also secured a victory for Leopard Racing.

Man kennt sich: Fernandez steuerte die Tech3-KTM schon in der Saison 2022

Foto: Gold and Goose

Fernandez said in the official statement: “I’m really delighted to be back at Tech3. It’s a team I know well and with whom I spent an important chapter of my career – so returning now is something very special. I’m returning with more experience, a different mindset and, above all, a great deal of ambition. The goal for 2027 can only be to fight for the World Championship. We know it will be a long and demanding season, but we have the motivation, the work ethic and the potential to compete at the very front.”

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The role of the rookie will be taken on by an American. Kristian Daniel (Junior) is stepping up from the Red Bull Rookies Cup. Daniel finished fourth overall there after a strong finale, securing three podium finishes in the last three races.

Kristian Daniel steigt aus dem Red Bull Rookies Cup auf

Foto: Red Bull

“I have to say that I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. I know how hard I work, and to be offered such a fantastic chance with such a fantastic team – I could hardly have asked for more. I know it won’t be easy… but then, it never is!” said the 17-year-old. The good news is that by the start of the 2027 season, Kristian Daniel will have been of legal age for two weeks, meaning he’ll be able to compete for Tech3 for the entire season.

Fernandez is tipped for the World Championship title in 2027

Red Bull KTM Tech3 team manager Nico Goyon on the new line-up for the Moto3 squad: “We’re delighted to announce our Moto3 line-up for 2027, featuring Kristian Daniel Jr. and Adrián Fernández. First and foremost, it’s exciting to welcome Adrián back to the team. He rode for us back in 2022, but at that time he was still right at the start of his career. He is now much more mature and used to competing at the very top. That’s why we all believe that, on a strong KTM, he is the perfect candidate to challenge for the championship next year.”

The Frenchman continued: “On the other side of the pit, we have the young American – Kristian will be just 18 next season. We’ve been following his progress throughout the season in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, and the first word that springs to mind is determination. Kristian left California eight years ago and gave up everything to try his luck in Europe. Now he will be the first American to contest a full season in this championship, and here at Tech3 we’re confident he’ll bring a lot to the team.”