Moto2: Red Bull KTM Ajo confirm Raul Fernandez promotion for 2021

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team has confirmed that their current Moto3 rider Raul Fernandez will be promoted into the Moto2 setup in 2021.

Fernandez has enjoyed a successful second full-time campaign in the lightweight class. In the previous four races, Fernandez has been on the podium three times. This included his maiden victory at the European GP held at Valencia. 

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Fernandez has also been fast on Saturdays, clinching five podiums in 2020. As things stand heading into the final race of the year at Portimao, Fernandez sits sixth in the overall standings with 134 points. Fernandez will line-up alongside Remy Gardner in Moto2.

“I want to thank the whole team, KTM, Red Bull and, above all, Aki for believing in me,” Fernandez said. “It is an important step in my sporting career, and I am very happy to continue growing with this structure. It is a great opportunity that I know I will enjoy a lot, alongside some incredible people.

“This is a new stage, which brings me closer to every rider’s dream: to be in MotoGP. Red Bull KTM Ajo are the best team in Moto2, so this announcement is an honour for me. I only have words of thanks for them and for my family, who have always been by my side supporting me.”

Fernandez’s spot in the Moto3 Red Bull KTM Ajo team will be taken by 2020 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champion Pedro Acosta. The 16-year-old also competed in the Moto3 Junior World Championship this season, finishing third overall.

“It’s incredible to receive this opportunity from Red Bull, KTM and Ajo Motorsport,” Acosta said. “I want to thank all of them. For me, being on this team means being part of the best Moto3 team around. It will be my first year in the World Championship, so we will have to wait for the first race to see where we are and set realistic goals then.

“During the first half of the season, we will have to focus our efforts on adapting to the workload, as it will be different to what I am used to in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and in the FIM CEV. I am going to do my best to make this learning process fruitful.”

Acosta will line-up alongside Jaume Masia in Moto3 next season.