Augusto Fernandez is out of a job at KTM next season, but it appears Yamaha may be able to hand him an opportunity to stay in the paddock.

After two seasons within the Tech3 team and three seasons within the KTM family, Augusto Fernandez is on his way out. The Spanish rider won the Moto2 Championship in 2022 with the Red Bull KTM Ajo squad and has only ridden with the KTM satellite team, Tech3, in MotoGP.

However, for 2025 there is no space in KTM for Fernandez. As Pedro Acosta moves into the factory team and Enea Bastianini, as well as, Maverick Vinales join Tech3.

It has since been reported by Motorsport.com that Yamaha is in talks with Fernandez. But not as a racer, but rather as a test rider. Meaning the Spaniard would join Cal Crutchlow in the development of the Yamaha M1.

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha's Sporting Director, told Motorsport.com that Fernandez is the type of rider that they want alongside Crutchlow in the test team.

"We want to strengthen the test team and sign a rider, but we are not thinking about a veteran or a retired rider. We want a young man who wants to do a lot of laps and we can make the most of the testing that the concessions allow us. That does not mean that we will not have Crutchlow, who will continue to be part of the team and will return to action when he recovers.”

Fernandez also told Motorsport.com that he is talking to Yamaha about the test rider role, in case he cannot get a MotoGP ride or a competitive opportunity in WorldSBK.

"We are talking to them. If nothing appears in this paddock or in SBK, which is difficult, it is a good exit for me. I’m always thinking about an opportunity to grow as a rider to return to a full-time team in the future.”