Augusto Fernandez expresses gratitude for the KTM factory's backing despite "not showing anything" so far in the 2024 MotoGP season.
The 2022 Moto2 world champion finished fourth in an otherwise difficult rookie season last year, but gained a MotoGP ride with Tech3 over Pol Espargaro when KTM figured out how to handle its three-riders-for-two-bikes issue.
Despite riding on a factory-supported KTM with the new carbon fibre chassis, Fernandez has struggled to adjust to the 2024 RC16, which he believes is too soft in comparison to the frame he rode in 2023.
Fernandez finished 11th in Portugal, but was 23 seconds behind rookie teammate Pedro Acosta in third place.
Despite the poor season thus far, Fernandez says he still has KTM's support, and he adds that Acosta is "a very good reference" from which he can learn.
"The truth is that the factory is pushing for the four of us; even for me, even though I'm not showing anything," he went on to say.
"Despite this, I am receiving full support from them.
"So I have to thank them for the treatment, even though it is costing me. Let's see if I can repay them with results shortly.
He continued, "Pedro's podium is cruel. Everything he's doing in general. On a new circuit where he has never practiced with MotoGP.
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"We have excellent references at KTM. We have him at home; let's see if we can imitate him and grow close to him."
Fernandez finished 11th in the Portuguese Grand Prix after making "a huge step forward" in finding a better set-up for him, and he believes he will not need to make any major changes to the RC16 this weekend in Austin.
"We made a huge step forward," he remarked. "In Portugal, I was able to deal with the loss of grip a little better.
"We need to keep growing. We are not yet at the desired pace, but we must proceed gradually.
"We change the bike a lot on weekends. But there's nothing I wouldn't ask for. From now on, I will undoubtedly request to be more or less stable in that regard, to be able to solidify a foundation.
"Surely, we won't have to invent anything for Austin."
If things don't improve for Fernandez, he hasn't ruled out returning to the 2023 chassis he raced last year following the Spanish Grand Prix at the end of this month.
