Augusto Fernandez renewed his contract with Yamaha’s MotoGP as a test and wild-card rider for 2026 and 2027. Yamaha also confirmed that Cal Crutchlow, a Yamaha test rider since retiring as a full-time rider at the end of 2020, will not be part of the factory’s future development program.
The following is a press release from Yamaha…
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 program 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 program. 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 program. 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 Fernandez | 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.”
Yamaha Thanks Cal Crutchlow
Pavesio also confirmed that Cal Crutchlow, a Yamaha test rider since retiring as a full-time rider at the end of 2020, will not be part of the factory’s future development program:
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cal Crutchlow for his work as a Test Rider over the past years,” Pavesio said. “Although he has not been involved in the V4 project, we remain deeply grateful for his longstanding contributions to Yamaha‘s bike development. Looking ahead, we’re thrilled that both Andrea and Augusto have chosen to continue their journey with us into 2026 and 2027, remaining key figures in the evolution of the V4 project. This weekend’s wild-card entry marks an exciting new chapter, one we believe will capture the attention of MotoGP fans.”
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