Raul Fernandez Expected to Ride 2024 Aprilia at Silverstone
Raul Fernandez, one of MotoGP’s most promising young talents, is about to receive a significant upgrade to his bike. The Spanish driver, who currently competes for Aprilia, should get the 2024 RS-GP specification at Silverstone, with a 90% chance, as he recently stated. This update has been eagerly awaited by Fernandez, who has faced several challenges this season.
Although homologation rules prevent in-season engine modifications, other parts of the bike can be improved, including aerodynamics, which are essential to performance. Aprilia is working to introduce a new aerodynamic package, which should not only improve overall performance, but also solve the overheating problems they have faced in previous rounds.
Fernandez commented on the anticipation of taking the new bike to Silverstone: “I will take the new bike to Silverstone, 90%. They are checking to give me the bike there.” This upgrade is vital so that Fernandez has a spec bike as close as possible to the other RS-GP riders, including his teammate Miguel Oliveira.
Unfortunately, Fernandez’s plans to put in more laps on the 2024 bike during the final test at Mugello were hampered by bad weather. The idea was to better understand the new bike and prepare it for Silverstone. “The idea for the Mugello test was to try to understand the bike and prepare it for Silverstone,” explained Fernandez.
The 23-year-old, who led a MotoGP race for the first time at the Catalunya Sprint, is currently 12th in the world championship, three places ahead of Oliveira. Fernandez underwent surgery for compartment syndrome after the Mugello test, due to the difficulties he had experienced in the final rounds. “Also in Barcelona, when I was with Marc and Aleix, I lost the fight for the podium because of this problem,” he said.
With the future of the Aprilia team still up in the air for 2025, Fernandez is well-placed to keep his place, especially with the confirmed departures of current factory riders Aleix Espargaro (retired) and Maverick Vinales (Tech3 KTM). Fernandez and Oliveira’s experience on the bike will be crucial in ensuring continuity for the team.
However, VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi is a strong candidate for one of the factory seats, in line with Aprilia’s intention to sign a fast Italian rider.
Fernandez hopes the bike’s improvement at Silverstone marks a turning point in the season. With the new bike specification and confidence and performance issues resolved, he looks to further improve his results and consolidate his position in the MotoGP elite.
