ACOSTA, FERNANDEZ TO REPLACE GARDNER AT RED BULL KTM AJO
Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez have been announced as Red Bull KTM Ajo’s new 2022 Moto2 World Championship riders, following the departure of promoted Australian Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez.
Acosta is the current Moto3 World Championship leader, while Augusto Fernandez sits sixth in Moto2 riding for Elf Marc VDS Racing Team.
The Spanish pair replace outgoing Gardner and Raul Fernandez, who will both ride in the MotoGP World Championship in 2022 for Tech3 KTM Factory Racing.
It has been a rapid rise through the two-wheel ranks for Acosta, the 17-year-old crowned champion of the 2020 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup before leading Moto3 in 2021.
In his maiden campaign the teenager is 46 points clear at the top of the overall standings heading to MotorLand Aragon, with five race wins under his belt.
Acosta was looking forward to furthering his development in the higher division.
“Jumping to Moto2 was my goal because I believe it’s the step I need to make,” Acosta said.
“It’s a big advantage to stay in the Red Bull KTM Ajo team as we now have a year of working together and it’s always important to keep a good and positive feeling with the people around you.
“It’s been a big step into the World Championship, but I worked for it and I’m happy with how things have been going.”
Augusto Fernandez has competed in Moto2 since 2017, achieving a best season finish of fifth in 2019.
The 23-year-old won three races in that season and has been on the podium three times this year.
Fernandez will be striving to fight for the championship with his new team in 2022.
“I’m really happy and satisfied to be joining Red Bull KTM Ajo,” Fernandez said.
“The team has been a reference in the category now for many years by winning races and fighting for championships.
“I think that experience of going for titles will really help me next year and I’m already looking forward to working with them.”
Red Bull KTM Ajo Team Principal Aki Ajo was confident in his new lineup of riders for next season.
“Looking to 2022 we are very happy to have another couple of great riders with Pedro and Augusto and a promising combination of experience and youth,” Ajo said.
“We have known Augusto for some time and have seen his career and results. He has shown big potential and I think we can achieve great things together.
“Pedro’s rookie year in Moto3 has been something special and even more is coming. The step to Moto2 after just one season in Moto3 is a big one but if there is one racer that can make this step then it’s Pedro.
“We have a lot of trust in him and will, of course, fully support him. Together with Red Bull and KTM I am confident we have selected the right riders for our KTM GP Academy for the future.”
There are still six rounds left in the Moto2 and Moto3 seasons, the next scheduled for Motorland Aragon in Spain from September 9-12.
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