MotoGP Gossip: Fernandez expected at Tech 3, Lorenzo talks Vinales-Yamaha split

In this week’s MotoGP Gossip Column, Speedweek are reporting that Raul Fernandez is expected to make the switch to MotoGP with Tech 3 KTM, while Jorge Lorenzo says Maverick Vinales’ split from Yamaha came as a 'surprise' but that he’s ‘suffered a lot’ due to Fabio Quartararo’s dominance.

Robert Jones

30 Jul 2021

Raul Fernandez, Moto2 race, Dutch MotoGP, 27 June 2021
© Gold and Goose

Aside from speculation surrounding Maverick Vinales’ next move in MotoGP, no rider has been talked about more regarding his future than Moto2 superstar Raul Fernandez.

The Spanish sensation who sits second to team-mate Remy Gardner in the Moto2 standings has been linked to Petronas Yamaha, Tech 3 KTM, Arpilia, the list goes on...

Fernandez has been keen to stress that a second year in Moto2 was the most viable option for him. But with Iker Lecuona on the way out of KTM and most likely MotoGP altogether, and KTM’s eagerness to promote Fernandez to avoid losing him to Yamaha for example, it means the second Tech 3 KTM seat alongside Gardner in 2022 is between himself and Danilo Petrucci.

According to Speedweek, Fernandez replacing the Italian is all but done: "Today it was leaked that KTM will promote the former Moto3 junior world champion Raúl Fernández to the MotoGP World Championship in addition to Gardner." [Speedweek.com].

In other news, former three time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo has given his thoughts on what led Vinales to terminate his contract with Yamaha ahead of a likely move to Aprilia.

Lorenzo said he was surprised at the decision but that failing to deliver a world championship in five seasons together made Vinales desperate to ‘take another path’, reports Autosport via Sky Sports Italia.

"Vinales suffered a lot because of the speed of Quartararo, who was almost always superior to him," added Lorenzo [Autosport.com].