Yamaha MotoGP

Augusto Fernández Signs On with Yamaha as Official MotoGP Test Rider for 2026-2027

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is delighted to confirm that Augusto Fernández will remain part of the Yamaha family. The current Official MotoGP Test Rider has played an integral role in the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team's bike development programme, taking part in Official IRTA Tests and private Yamaha tests as well as wild-card events, and he will continue to fulfil this role in the 2026 and 2027 season.

Misano Adriatico (Italy), 11th September 2025

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. are delighted to announce that experienced Official MotoGP rider for the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team Augusto Fernández will continue to support their bike development programme for the 2026 and 2027 season.

2022 Moto2 World Champion Augusto Fernández has two years of experience in MotoGP (2023-2024) and six years in Moto2 (2017-2022), making him a well-established name amongst motorsports fans and someone very familiar with the MotoGP paddock. He joined the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team in 2025, completing a line-up of five official Yamaha Factory Racing riders, and proved to be a strong addition to the collaboration between fellow Test Rider and Rider Performance Advisor Andrea Dovizioso, the Yamaha engineers, and Yamaha's two MotoGP teams.

Fernández will continue his testing job, riding the factory bike throughout the racing seasons, taking part in Official IRTA Tests and private Yamaha tests as well as various wild-card events with the aim of helping Yamaha's engineers with their MotoGP bike development programme. Fernández will also be on standby as a replacement rider in case one of Yamaha's MotoGP riders might be forced to miss a Grand Prix through illness or injury.

PAOLO PAVESIO
Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing

"We are pleased to confirm that Augusto will continue his collaboration with the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team. Since joining us earlier this year, he has made a remarkable impact, bringing both competitive sharpness and technical insight to our development programme. His synergy with Andrea Dovizioso has proven especially valuable, both during testing sessions and wild-card entries.

"As a recent full-time MotoGP rider, Augusto remains in peak physical and competitive condition, making him an ideal asset for stress-testing our new V4-powered prototype. His feedback is instrumental in evaluating performance indicators and refining our understanding of Yamaha's competitive positioning.

"In addition to his role as Test Rider, Augusto will also serve as a standby replacement rider for both Yamaha Teams if the need arises during the MotoGP season, effectively becoming our 'fifth Factory Rider'.

"We are confident that Augusto's continued involvement will be pivotal to the success of our 'Plan V' and the development of the new 850cc machine for 2027: two parallel projects that are some of the most significant technical challenges in Yamaha's racing history."

AUGUSTO FERNÁNDEZ
Yamaha Factory Racing Test Rider

"I'm super happy to continue with Yamaha for two more years. It's been an incredible journey so far this year. I've been feeling so good since the beginning: with the people, with the test team, with everyone involved in Yamaha. With all the projects we have in mind, it is an important time to be part of the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team, and I feel proud and happy to be here and to continue my work. I will give my best to bring the brand to the top again."

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Contacts

YAMAHA MOTOR RACING

Via Tinelli 67/69
20855 Gerno di Lesmo (MB) - Italy
yamahamotogp.com

WILLIAM FAVERO

Division Manager
Marketing and Communications Division
william.favero@ymr.it

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