Trackhouse boss Justin Marks has praised Raul Fernandez for delivering while he was still waiting for clarity over his MotoGP future.<\/p>\n
Trackhouse boss Justin Marks has explained how Ai Ogura\u2019s factory Yamaha move left team-mate Raul Fernandez in an uncertain position for 2027.<\/p>\n
Ogura\u2019s surprise decision meant Trackhouse \u201cwent to work figuring out what our future looked like.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rider search was then complicated by news of team director Davide Brivio\u2019s end-of-year departure, to HRC.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Fernandez was left waiting for clarity over his own future, but delivered under pressure with a Sprint victory at Mugello, ending a five-round podium drought.<\/p>\n
Once a new Trackhouse deal was secure, the Spaniard has remained in the best form of his MotoGP career, with a grand prix win, Sprint win and two other Sunday podiums from the past three rounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shows the maturity and the fact that he is truly becoming a professional athlete,\u201d Marks said of Fernandez\u2019s reaction to the contract uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what's great about Raul is that – we didn't expect Ai to make the decision that he made, at the time that he did it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we went to work figuring out what our future looked like on that side of the garage.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the same time, Raul was like, \u2018Hey, where's my contract?\u2019 you know?<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so, he had to be very patient, and there was a period of time where he was uncertain.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring that period of uncertainty, he performed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we signed the contract, he has security, he has a multi-year deal, we put our arm around him, and he [again] performed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to go out there and do the job, regardless of what's happening in the garage, or in the hospitality, or at home, that's the mark of a great athlete.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fernandez is in his fifth MotoGP season, fourth year on an Aprilia and third with Trackhouse.<\/p>\n