P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Aprilia MotoGP technical boss Fabiano Sterlacchini says he was not expecting Raul Fernandez’s end-of-2025 form.
Aprilia was surprised by Raul Fernandez’s impressive performance with a victory and a second place in the final four grands prix of the 2025 MotoGP season.
Fernandez, in his fourth premier class season and third with the Trackhouse team, showed gradual improvement in the latter part of the season, marking his presence with top-10 finishes.
Although he faced a brief dip in form post-summer break, he achieved a maiden Sprint podium in Indonesia, followed by a second-place in Australia and a grand prix win the next day.
Aprilia Racing Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini admitted that Fernandez’s race management skills exceeded expectations, considering the complexities involved in MotoGP projects.
Fernandez’s late-season success also highlighted Aprilia’s strong overall performance, with Marco Bezzecchi showcasing consistent speed and competitiveness, leading to two race wins in Portugal and Valencia.
The Valencia test further solidified the teamwork and progress made by the riders and engineers, showcasing the positive impact of their collective efforts in the 2025 MotoGP season.
