GARDNER: DOUBTFUL MOTOGP FUTURE
By Auto Action
Date posted: 23 August 2022
AUSSIE MOTOGP World Championship rookie Remy Gardner has admitted that it is likely he will be squeezed out of a seat for the 2023 season.
The Tech3 KTM Factory Racing rider has had an indifferent first season, sitting 23rd in the MotoGP standings with a best finish of 11th.
KTM’s satellite team will be rebranded as GasGas Factory Racing next year and it appears that multiple candidates are lining up to replace Gardner, who is the reigning Moto2 champion and son of former 500cc star Wayne Gardner.
Miguel Oliveira is one of those – KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer confirmed in a recent interview that the team is unsure of who will pair with Pol Espargaro next year and said he will look to keep Portuguese rider Oliveira at KTM, perhaps acquiring him from the Red Bull factory team.
“We cannot confirm the second rider yet, there is also still a chance to keep our friend Miguel inside the family,” he said.
Second on the list of possible replacement is Augusto Fernandez, who is making a name for himself in the second tier Moto2 Championship.
The Spaniard sits second in the standings racing with KTM and could be promoted if he continues to perform strongly.
Responding to the speculation, Gardner conceded that his spot on the grid is in jeopardy.
“No, it’s not [looking great for next year],” Gardner said after the Red Bull Ring race.
“In MotoGP, it doesn’t look like there’s anything… KTM’s done it again!”
Gardner was 20th in Austria, recovering from a fall to be classified.
While it was a tough weekend for the 24-year-old, the other Australian on the MotoGP grid, Jack Miller, put in a strong showing at the Red Bull Ring with a podium finish.
The factory Ducati rider is fifth in the standings, with three podiums in his last four races.
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