Raul Fernandez set to receive new model of RS-GP with a catch

Ahead of the Spanish MotoGP Trackhouse team principal Davide Brivio has come up with good news for driver Raul Fernandez. Fernandez who is still driving a 2023 model bike in the ongoing season is likely to get his new 2024 model bike by the end of the Jerez campaign.

Earlier, Fernandez was informed that he would get his enhanced RS-GP for the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend. However, his debut with the upgraded model has been postponed until the post-race test at Jerez on Monday. Notably, despite being the 2024 version of the bike Fernandez’s bike will not have the upgraded engine due to guidelines issues.

Speaking ahead of the Spanish MotoGP, team principal Davide Brivio said, "We are happy to be back in Europe with the iconic Jerez race which, this time, will be Raul's home race. I'm excited to see how much more we can achieve in the coming races after the recent progress we made in Austin with both drivers.”

"I don't think we showed our full potential in Austin and for that, we need to be good in all areas over the weekend and optimize our performance. Let's see where we end up on Sunday. Then we will have the test on Monday and if everything runs smoothly during the weekend, Raul will have the first opportunity to briefly test the 2024 bike."

What will be the changes in the new RS-GP bike?

The latest model of RS-GP 2024 which will be provided to Fernandez will only consist of a chassis change. Due to regulations, the 24-year-old is obliged to use the same engine he began the season with. Consequently, he'll be utilizing the 2023 motor on his new '24 bike.

This means he won't enjoy complete parity with his teammate Oliveira, as well as the factory Aprilia duo Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales throughout the season. Meanwhile, Aprilia has not yet finalized whether Fernandez will have the opportunity to compete with the new RS-GP at the subsequent round in Le Mans, France, on May 12th.