Raul Fernandez at Trackhouse until 2028: the 850cc Aprilia proved its worth

Raul Fernandez’s first impression of Silverstone was an unusual one: sunshine instead of rain, accompanied by parched, yellow grass. “How long has it been since it last rained here?” Raul Fernandez asked himself in the paddock, smiling as he compared the scene to Spain. It was fitting for the mood – because the 25-year-old is returning from the summer break with a certainty he lacked back in the spring: his contract with Trackhouse Racing was extended by two years just before the Silverstone GP.

The 850cc test yielded clear results

“I’m very happy, because we’ve been working together since 2024 and I think we’re on the right track,” said Fernandez regarding his contract extension with Justin Marks’ team. “Everything will be new for the future, but I’ll know my team and equipment well. I feel at home and very comfortable with them.” He confirmed that there had been other offers, without naming names: “When you know that everything’s going to be different anyway, you have to try to keep the rest as simple as possible. The simplest thing was to keep the same crew.” Before signing, he had already tested the new 850cc Aprilia – with a clear conclusion: “I’ve seen that the bike works.”

A few races ago, Fernandez had caused a stir by remarking that only his parents and his brother knew he was going through a difficult time. He dismissed the suggestion that it was about the contract: “Everyone started talking about contracts. I’ve always tried to leave that to my manager and concentrate on riding myself. It wasn’t about a contract, but about other things.” When asked, he was more explicit: “We have more to life than just motorcycling. I’m 25 years old and still have a lot to learn in life.”

Since Assen, Fernández has been riding with a sense of freedom – with no eye on the MotoGP title

He admitted that the uncertainty had taken its toll. “Almost all the riders had sorted everything out before me. I was the only one without a fixed contract. In some races, I overthought things.” He traces the turning point back to Assen: “By then, almost everything was clear. And you can see that I’ve been able to ride more freely from Assen right up to now.” The results back him up: sprint wins at Mugello and Assen, three podium finishes this season, and 6th in the World Championship standings with 159 points.

He doesn’t mention a specific goal for the season, even though he’s among the wider circle of World Championship title contenders: “Before I had the deal, I wasn’t enjoying either the situation or the riding,” said Fernández, for whom the fun of riding a motorbike is now back at the forefront. “We know we have a good bike, the team has got a lot right and we’ll be pushing right to the end. I don’t want to think about what’s possible. I take it race by race.”

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