Raul Fernandez: Racing Not for Money but Pure Happiness

Raul Fernandez entered the 2025 MotoGP season with high expectations following his impressive rookie campaign in Moto2 just a few years ago. Despite signing a guaranteed contract for 2026 with the Trackhouse Aprilia squad, Fernandez faced tough criticism early this year, collecting only 15 points over the first five rounds and sitting eighteenth in the championship standings.

Image credit: www.the-race.com

Whispers began circulating in the paddock about his future, and rumors suggested a potential ultimatum from his team. However, both Fernandez and Trackhouse insisted his agreement was secure and emphasized the need for performance improvement, especially for his own satisfaction.

The French Grand Prix at Le Mans marked a clear turnaround for the Spanish rider. For the first time this season, Fernandez scored notable results, achieving a tenth place in the sprint and a strong seventh in Sunday’s main event, earning nine points in one weekend.

These finishes represented his best so far in 2025 and came despite unpredictable racing conditions that challenged even the top contenders. Looking back, Fernandez’s 2021 Moto2 season stands out, with eight victories, 12 podiums, and seven poles—statistics that would have clinched the title in most years, but he narrowly lost the crown to Remy Gardner. For more details on Moto2 history and regulations, you can visit the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) official site.

Throughout the early part of the season, Fernandez struggled to adapt to the Aprilia, and consecutive injuries in pre-season testing for two years prevented him from building a solid foundation. He managed only six points over the first five weekends, prompting concerns about his future and the direction of his career.

Trackhouse team manager Davide Brivio publicly backed the 24-year-old, stating the organization would fully honor his contract while urging Fernandez to push for better results, not just for the team but for his own growth as a racer.

In an interview ahead of the Le Mans race, Fernandez spoke frankly about his passion for racing. He stated that happiness, not money, fuels his motivation. Racing has been his life since he was five years old, and his main goal is to find joy and satisfaction in his performance, regardless of outside pressure. He shared that the team and Aprilia have been supportive, but the right setup has remained elusive.

Still, Fernandez points to a productive official test at Jerez on April 28 as the beginning of positive changes. After finding some progress in Jerez, Fernandez was able to replicate that step forward at Le Mans, temporarily silencing those who doubted his place on the grid. For insights into racing psychology and performance improvement, check out this Stanford University study on athlete mindset.

Even as rumors shifted toward injured factory rider Jorge Martin and his Aprilia future, Fernandez focused on building on the momentum gained in France. He said that resetting mentally and on-track is key, and emphasized working closely with his team to create a competitive base for the remainder of the season.

As the MotoGP championship heads toward its busy summer months, Raul Fernandez aims to continue his resurgence. With a supportive team behind him and a clear focus on personal fulfillment over financial rewards, he looks to recapture the form that placed him among the sport’s most promising young talents. For more on MotoGP’s summer schedule and race details, visit the official MotoGP website.

Fans and insiders now wait to see if the advances shown at Le Mans can become a consistent feature in Fernandez’s 2025 campaign. His ability to overcome early setbacks mirrors the kind of comeback spirit highlighted in recent motorsport stories like the Alexander Funny Car comeback, underpinning his determination to rise through the season.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.