Yamaha is reportedly interested in Tech3 rider Augusto Fernandez to strengthen its test team for 2025 and beyond.
Yamaha is focussed on rebuilding following a difficult last couple of seasons, with the Japanese manufacturer working night and day to find solutions to its declining bike.
2021 Yamaha champion Fabio Quartararo displayed his loyalty to the team by signing a two-year contract extension until 2026, with team-mate Alex Rins following suit.
On track the bike is yet to find a single podium all season from either rider, Yamaha’s made strides off track with its acquisitions of various engineers and technicians from the leading manufacturer Ducati.
Yamaha confirmed it will have a satellite team on the grid from 2025 too, signing a long-term agreement with Pramac Racing, though the lineup is yet to be revealed.
The next phase of its project is expanding its test operations, which have stagnated due to Cal Crutchlow’s injury woes.
The Brit was expected to take part as a wildcard runner at both Mugello and Silverstone but had to withdraw from both due to repercussions from a surgery operation.
Yamaha vocally expressed it wants to expand its team so it doesn’t have to lay the burden solely on Crutchlow.
“We want to strengthen the test team and sign a rider, but we are not thinking about a veteran or a retired rider,” Yamaha’s sporting director Maio Meregalli told Autosport at Silverstone.
“We want a young man who wants to do a lot of laps and we can make the most of the testing that the concessions allow us.
“That does not mean that we will not have Crutchlow, who will continue to be part of the team and will return to action when he recovers.”
KTM in 2025 will promote rookie sensation Pedro Acosta to its factory team to accompany Brad Binder, leaving Jack Miller without a seat.
Tech3 announced earlier in the season that it will replace Fernandez, which left two spaces open but the satellite outfit wasted no time in announcing the services of Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales.
Fernandez himself confirmed that he was in initial discussions with Yamaha about a test rider role should he receive no full-time role in MotoGP or WorldSBK.
“We are talking to them. If nothing appears in this paddock or in SBK, which is difficult, it is a good exit for me,” he told Autosport.
“I’m always thinking about an opportunity to grow as a rider to return to a full-time team in the future.”
