Raul Fernandez is preparing to take on the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island despite still recovering from a broken finger sustained at the Indonesian Grand Prix two weeks ago.
The Trackhouse Racing rider fractured his right index finger during a first-lap collision with Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi in the sprint race at Mandalika. Despite the injury, Fernandez returned for Sunday's main race and adapted his braking technique by using his middle finger.
His efforts paid off as he secured second place behind Bezzecchi, delivering a strong result despite his physical limitations.
Although the short break since Indonesia has allowed his injury to improve, Fernandez admitted that he remains short of full fitness heading into the Australian round.
“My condition compared to last year is a little bit worse, but compared with Mandalika, it is much better,” he said at Phillip Island.
Fernandez expects the injury to remain a factor throughout the weekend, but plans to work closely with his team to manage the discomfort and make the most of the available opportunities.
Phillip Island holds special significance for the Spaniard. It was the venue of his maiden MotoGP victory last year, when he finished 1.5 seconds ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio to claim his first premier-class race win.
Source: News.GP
However, Fernandez is aware that repeating that achievement will be difficult. He acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding last year's race were different, with several leading riders, including Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin, absent due to injuries.
This time, he faces a competitive field while dealing with an injury that could affect his performance. Phillip Island's unpredictable weather could also make the challenge more complicated, requiring riders and teams to adapt quickly to changing conditions.
Rather than setting a specific finishing target, Fernandez intends to assess his condition as the weekend progresses and focus on delivering his best possible performance.
“I am not thinking about what position can be possible,” he said, explaining his approach to managing the injury.
Nevertheless, the Trackhouse rider remains determined to compete for a strong result rather than simply make up the numbers.
“If we are on the grid, we have our chance to fight for that, and for sure we will try,” he added.
Fernandez's recovery will be an important factor in determining how competitive he can be at Phillip Island. While his second-place finish in Indonesia demonstrated his ability to race through discomfort, the Australian Grand Prix will provide another test of his fitness and consistency as he looks to build on last year's breakthrough victory.