Augusto Fernandez is thankful to KTM’s MotoGP operation for the support, but he admits that he has not returned the faith shown in him with results on the race track.
Fernandez produced a respectable debut season in the top flight last term, being placed in the top 10 on four occasions and landing a fourth-place finish at Le Mans.
The Spaniard retained his place at the GasGas KTM team for 2024, with his team-mate from last season, Pol Espargaro, having been relegated to test rider duties.
But Fernandez has struggled this season with the 2024 RC16, citing that he feels as though his new spec of bike is too soft compared to the frame used last season.
However, rookie team-mate Pedro Acosta had endured no such problems and has finished in the top 10 in both Sprints and main races in his debut MotoGP campaign.
“The truth is that the factory is pushing for the four of us; even for me, even though I’m not showing anything,” Fernandez told Motorsport.com.
“Despite that I’m getting all the support from them.
“So, I have to thank them for the treatment in these moments when it is costing me. Let’s see if I can pay them back with results soon.”
He added: “Pedro’s podium [in Portimao] is brutal. Everything he is doing, in general. On a new circuit, where he has never trained with MotoGP.
“We have a very good reference at KTM. We have him at home, so let’s see if we can copy him and get close to him.”
Despite his struggles at the opening round in Qatar, Fernandez was satisfied with the “huge step forward” he managed in Portugal to cross the line in 11th place.
“We made a huge step forward,” he expressed. “In Portugal I was able to handle the lack of grip conditions a bit better.
“We have to keep growing. The pace is not yet what we want, but we have to go little by little.
“We are changing the bike a lot during the weekends. But it’s nothing I don’t ask for. From now on, surely, I will ask to be more or less stable in that sense, to be able to firm up a base.
“Surely, we won’t have to invent anything for Austin.”
Fernandez has also not ruled out the potential to change back to last season’s chassis after the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez if he fails to adapt to his current 2024 bike.
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