Yamaha has announced that the team’s test rider Augusto Fernandez will replace Jonathan Rea at the WorldSBK Portimao round.
The 2022 Moto2 champion Fernandez will feature at both the Portimao test and race weekend, with both events taking place throughout March.
Rea sustained multiple fractures in his left leg on Day 1 of the Phillip Island test and flew back home to his native Northern Ireland to have surgery.
The Ulsterman’s time on the sidelines means Fernandez will make his WorldSBK debut. The 27-year-old previously spent two seasons with Red Bull GasGas Tech3 in MotoGP before joining Yamaha’s test team for the 2025 season.
“First of all I would like to send my best wishes for a speedy recovery to Jonathan Rea and to thank Yamaha for this opportunity,” Fernandez said to WorldSBK.com.
“This will be my first experience of racing with the R1 but also of racing in WorldSBK. I can’t wait to get to the Portimão test to spend some time on the bike and to see how it feels.”
Niccolo Canepa, the Road Racing Sporting Manager at Yamaha Motor Europe, added: “Jonathan has been sorely missed here in Phillip Island, but we are happy that the surgery on his injuries was successful and that he has now started the recovery process.
“We hope to see him fully fit and back on the bike as soon as possible. In the meantime, we spoke with Augusto and Yamaha Motor Racing about the possibility he could stand in for Jonathan in Portimao and he was keen to do so.
“He is familiar with the circuit, and with the test scheduled ahead of the race we can give him track time with the R1 WorldSBK ahead of the event.
“We must thank Yamaha Motor Racing and the MotoGP™ team for their support, and we are looking forward to welcoming Augusto to the team and to the WorldSBK paddock.”
Jonathan Rea underwent successful surgery on his left foot
The six-time WorldSBK champion announced on his social media that he underwent successful surgery.
The Northern Irishman flew home to Belfast last Wednesday for the surgery despite an initial delay due to swelling as a result of his crash.
“I would like to thank Dr Michael McMullan and his team at the Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast for the urgency and care to deal with my foot injury,” Rea said.
“After reviewing the scans from my crash in Australia we made the decision to fly home directly and perform surgery to stabilise and fix the injuries in my foot.
“The surgery was successful and I will continue my recovery at home with my medical team.
“I want to thank my team, my family and of course all my fans who have been sending me positive messages during these difficult days.”
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