Hernandez: For me, it’s just a test

Yonny Hernandez has described the upcoming MotoGP outing at Sepang as a “good opportunity” to remind the paddock of his skill set but refused to speculate on any future appearances for the Tech 3 Yamaha team, insisting, “it’s just a test.”

The Columbian will make a temporary return to MotoGP machinery this week as a last-minute replacement for Jonas Folger, who ruled himself out of the 2018 season due to an ongoing health issue.

Contracted to ride for Pedercini Kawasaki in the 2018 World Superbike championship, Hernandez said he is currently “under no pressure”, and stated his priority was to understand the “bike, team and tyres” in the sweltering Malaysian heat.

“It’s a good opportunity,” he said on Saturday. “I was at the [World Superbike] test in Jerez and Hervé [Poncharal – Tech 3 team boss] called me to see if it was possible to make the test.

“I said ‘yes’. For sure it’s a good opportunity. We have a good team, and a good bike to make some good work at this test. We’ll see tomorrow about the three days.”

Asked what World Superbike team boss Lucio Pedercini made of his rider’s chance to test in another series, Hernandez said the Italian recognised the value of the opportunity.

“For sure he knows that I’m coming here to work with Yamaha for the test," said the Columbian. “Pedercini told me it was OK, that I should go and he understands that it’s a good opportunity for me.”

And would there be a chance to test the Tech 3 Yamaha at upcoming tests in Thailand and Qatar? “At the moment, we’re only working on this test,” he said. “I don’t know. With Hervé we only speak about this test.”

“At the moment we’re focusing on working for the test and the bike. For sure I won’t make the first place tomorrow. You need to understand the bike, the team and the tyres. Two years ago I was a rider in MotoGP and for sure I’m happy for that.

“For sure I have the energy to come back more strong, like an illusion. That’s it. I need to stay focused on working well in this test. I don’t have pressure. I have a contract with the Superbike so for me it’s just a test.”

During his time with Pramac and Aspar Ducati in MotoGP, Hernandez was known for his all-action riding style, which placed a heavy emphasis on sliding the rear tyre.

The Yamaha M1 has always demanded to be ridden differently - essentially with both wheels in line - and Hernandez said he was “curious” to understand the bike’s different character.

“I’m really curious because I just rode a Ducati in all of my career, and a CRT bike. I’m really curious to ride a Yamaha because I know that all the riders that came to this team were really fast. I’ll wake up tomorrow and come to the track.

“I think with the Ducati it was like this to go fast [sliding a lot]. I think with this Yamaha I need to change because it’s a very smooth riding style. The engine is different. Like I said before, I’m really curious because I just rode a Ducati. Tomorrow is my opportunity to ride a really good bike, a MotoGP bike.”