MotoGP's silly season is simmering just below the surface, that much was plain from Thursday at the Red Bull Ring. Rumors continued to fly around the paddock about who would be riding what, when, and where it might be announced. Some of those rumors even had some basis in fact. But a lot were still down to the feverish imaginations of press and fans.
The most concrete news of all seemed to come from Augusto Fernandez. The GasGas Tech3 rider confirmed that KTM have taken up the option for the second year of his one-plus-one deal, and so the Spaniard will definitely be riding for the Pierer Mobility Group, KTM's parent company. Though he didn't reveal any other details, he did say that he expected news to come out soon. Given KTM's penchant for revealing news at their home grand prix, it seems fair to expect an announcement in the next couple of days. Possibly even by Friday or Saturday.
The safest bet is that Fernandez will be staying put in the GasGas team. The team are impressed by the young Spaniard, especially with his work ethic and approach, and he has been a good ambassador for the GasGas brand, which is aimed at a young Iberian audience.
That will still leave KTM with the Gordian knot of fitting five riders onto what are currently four MotoGP grid slots for 2024. KTM are still pushing to expand their presence from four to six bikes for next year, but and have meetings planned with Dorna to make their case again this weekend.
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