Raul Fernandez faced a challenging return to the track at the Malaysian Grand Prix, just a week after celebrating his first victory at the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix. The Trackhouse Aprilia rider experienced a tough race at Sepang, which ended prematurely due to a crash, marking only his second failure to finish a Grand Prix this season. The first occurred during the Thailand Grand Prix earlier in the year.
Despite the setback, Fernandez emphasized the need to keep his accomplishments in perspective. He struggled throughout the race weekend, qualifying in a disappointing 15th position. A poor decision to use a medium front tyre contributed to his difficulties, as he only managed to gain one position by the end of lap 11 before crashing at Turn 1 on lap 12.
Maintaining Perspective After Setbacks
Reflecting on the race, Fernandez said, “We cannot look at just this race. Last week I got my first victory. But also at Mandalika we were quite strong. And in Japan we were quite strong.” He noted that despite the crash, his performances earlier in the Asia-Pacific swing were positive, including a seventh-place finish in Japan and a front-row qualification leading to a sixth-place finish in Indonesia.
Fernandez acknowledged that the Malaysian circuit is particularly challenging for Aprilia, stating, “We knew that this kind of track could come before we got here. We knew that it would be one of the worst tracks for Aprilia. So it means that we had to take the positives.”
The young rider admitted that the crash was entirely his fault, attributing it to his choice of tyre. “For me, the feeling to come from my first victory and to make my second DNF on the race is quite strange. But anyway, it is part of the job. Also, it was my mistake 100%, because I chose the medium tyre,” he explained.
The Fluctuating Nature of MotoGP
Fernandez also highlighted the unpredictable nature of the MotoGP season, where fortunes can shift rapidly among teams and riders. “One week ago, Honda had a lot of problems. And now we meet again, and they get a podium. So it means that MotoGP is a fantastic sport. Because you see a lot of different riders and a lot of different brands, fighting for the podium.”
As the season progresses, Fernandez remains focused on the positive aspects of his performance and the competitive landscape of MotoGP. His rapid rise and recent achievements illustrate the dynamic nature of the sport, where even the best can face challenges at any moment. The next race will offer him another opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities and resilience on the track.
