KTM’s sister team Gas Gas Tech 3 has officially announced Augusto Fernandez will replace Remy Gardner for 2023 MotoGP.
The 2023 MotoGP grid will now officially consist of Augusto Fernandez, a Spaniard who will team up with Pol Espargaro at the GasGas Tech 3 team.
The current Moto2 series leader was rumored to be the front-runner for the final seat within the KTM squad in recent weeks following the Austrian brand’s decision to release Remy Gardner after a difficult rookie season, with the Australian’s 2022 teammate Raul Fernandez having already committed to the RNF Aprilia operation for the following season.
Augusto has been given a year to make an impression in MotoGP, like as Gardner and his namesake Raul, before it is decided whether or not he will stay with the team in 2024, with Moto2 rookie and current Moto3 world champion Pedro Acosta standing by.
Fernandez called the news of his promotion to the top class “amazing,” but he insisted that, at the end of the campaign, his primary goal was to advance from the position of Moto2 world champion.
“Wow, this is amazing: to be able to make the jump to MotoGP with GASGAS,” said Fernandez.“I want to thank everyone in the racing structure for all their support since I signed with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team last year.”
“I’m really happy. It’s a dream… We still have work to do in Moto2 and I want to go for the title and go to the MotoGP class – and this next challenge – in the best possible way.”
With only six races left, Fernandez has a slim four-point lead over Ai Ogura of Honda Team Asia in the Moto2 standings. The Ajo rider has won four races so far, with his triple victory in the German, Dutch, and British races catapulting him into championship contention.
Gardner, who was kicked out of the KTM family, will transition to the World Superbike Championship in 2023. This week, the reigning Moto2 world champion signed a contract to join the GRT Yamaha team riding an R1 with satellite specifications.
