Yamaha adds fifth entry as Fernandez returns for Catalunya

Yamaha will field a fifth MotoGP machine at the Catalunya Grand Prix, confirming test rider Augusto Fernandez for his second wildcard appearance of the season. The Spaniard returns just weeks after Fabio Quartararo delivered the Yamaha V4’s strongest result to date at Le Mans. Fernandez impressed in wet qualifying at Jerez, emerging as the top Yamaha in 16th, but a rear‑brake issue caused by early contact with Jack Miller left him 20th in the grand prix and still chasing his first points of 2026.

Barcelona offers another chance to combine competition with development, with an official post‑race test scheduled on Monday. Fernandez, who finished 14th as a wildcard at Misano last year, said he is eager to race again on home soil and continue refining the bike. Yamaha, benefiting from concession rules, can run six wildcards this season, split evenly before and after the summer break. Wildcards will be abolished entirely from 2027.