Raúl Fernández didn’t have access to the 2025 RS-GP during the Barcelona post-season test. Yet, a significant breakthrough still made it a very important day for him.

Fernández struggled throughout his second season with the Trackhouse Aprilia team. Mid-season, he switched from the 2023 RS-GP chassis to the 2024 version. Despite the switch, he managed to score just 66 points over the year, with his best finish being sixth place at the Catalan Grand Prix, achieved while still riding the 2023 bike. His season didn’t end well, with three consecutive scoreless rounds and an emotional low after the finale in Barcelona.

Without a 2025-spec RS-GP available in the post-season test, Fernández concentrated on a critical area: electronics. He later described the day as pivotal for addressing a key weakness that had affected him over the past two years.

“Overall, we didn’t have the ’25 spec in the box,” Fernández explained. “So, we focused a lot on the ’23 and ’24 bikes to understand different aspects. For me, the ’24 bike was slightly better, but we also began working on other areas.”

A significant focus of the day was improving the bike’s electronics. Fernández noted that this had been his Achilles’ heel, but he felt that a breakthrough had been made. “We worked a lot on electronics throughout the day. It’s been my weakest area over the past two years. By the end, I felt something different on the bike. I could adapt my style better with the electronics, which is a positive takeaway.”

Fernández acknowledged that challenges with electronics might persist, but the test provided a valuable baseline. “Now we have a setup we can use across most tracks, giving us a base to start from. That’s a major step forward. We also had two or three new people in the box today, and it was great to see how they fit into my team.”

Reflecting on the physical and emotional toll of the season, he admitted, “After Sunday’s race, I was completely destroyed. I just wanted to lie in bed like a child and cry every night. But this test was very productive. We made real progress on electronics, and I feel optimistic about the future, especially working with Fabiano.”

Fernández said that the changes made during the test helped him adjust his style to the bike better, as he now has a clearer understanding of the electronics. When asked if the issues came from his understanding or the team’s, he responded: “It’s 50/50. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. What I can say is that now I can adapt my style because I understand the electronics better. It’s about putting everything together, and now I feel we have a solid direction.”