Moto3: Red Bull KTM Ajo confirm Raul Fernandez and Jaume Masia for 2021

Red Bull KTM Ajo have renewed Raul Fernandez’s contract and signed Jaume Masia for the 2021 Moto3 season.

Fernandez has three pole positions so far this season and has achieved a best result of sixth on four occasions – at both races at Jerez, Brno and Misano. The 19-year-old is enjoying his best season yet, currently sitting ninth with 64 points. That’s four more than he accumulated throughout the 2019 campaign. 

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The Spaniard also won the 2018 FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship, securing three wins and six podiums.

“My first season with the team has been positive overall,” Fernandez commented. “We have achieved several pole positions and we have been fighting for victories. In general, I am very happy. Aki Ajo is one of the people who helps me the most in my day to day life and in my sporting career. I hope I can work with him for many more years, because I think he is a wise person and makes me improve.

“My second season with Red Bull KTM Ajo will be even more fun, because I will have a little more experience – which I think is what we are lacking now. It will be a great 2021.”

Masia will make the switch from the Leopard Racing team and is currently competing in his third full-time Moto3 season. Masia won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2018 whilst riding for the Bester Capital Dubai KTM team. 

The following year he clinched his first-ever Moto3 pole position and victory in Argentina before adding another three podiums to his tally. This year Masia has finished on the podium once, finishing second at the Austrian GP. He’s currently seventh in the standings. 

“Being part of Red Bull KTM Ajo is a great chance in terms of growth,” Masia said. “Having people like Aki Ajo and KTM by my side is a remarkable source of support and, above all, a very good opportunity to develop as a rider.

“In terms of objectives, I think that being among the top three is a realistic and achievable goal, but we will only know when next season starts, and we can see where we are. It will be important to feel comfortable with the bike from the start in order to achieve great things that befit our team. I can’t wait to start working with all of them, and for this to be reflected in the results.”

Both riders will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira, both of whom came through the Red Bull KTM Ajo project on their way to becoming MotoGP race winners. 

“I am very happy with our Moto3 line-up for next year,” added team boss Aki Ajo. “This season we have made great strides forward with Raul [Fernandez] and I am sure that in the remainder of the 2020 we will continue to progress. I am confident that he will be one of the top riders in the class.

“Our latest incorporation, Jaume Masia, has already proven to be one of the most competitive riders in Moto3. He is young but has extensive experience – which is without a doubt positive. We definitely have a strong pairing for 2021.”

Last month Ajo signed Remy Gardner for his Moto2 team, with current rider Jorge Martin confirmed at Pramac Ducati in MotoGP for 2021.