The confusion surrounding KTM’s dilemma of how to fit five riders into only four seats for the 2024 MotoGP World Championship took on a fresh twist this weekend following claims by Augusto Fernandez that he has signed a new deal for next season.

The Austrian manufacturer is facing a headache after seemingly guaranteeing a seat to more riders than it has rides available - among them Moto2 World Championship leader Pedro Acosta - as a consequence of it having failed in its bid to add a third team to the grid next year

As it stands, three of KTM’s riders - Brad Binder, Jack Miller and Pol Espargaro - have fixed-term contracts in place for 2024 and Acosta has been assured of a promotion, while the firm has said repeatedly that it wants to hold onto GasGas incumbent Augusto Fernandez.

Indeed, with only a single season contract in his pocket, Fernandez - the only rookie making his MotoGP debut this season - had appeared as the rider most under threat from KTM’s looming game of musical chairs.

However, after an eye-catching start to his MotoGP career - peaking with his run to  fourth in Le Mans - Fernandez told the official MotoGP website at this weekend’s Austrian MotoGP that he has in fact agreed an extension with KTM hat will keep him in the GasGas Tech3 MotoGP line-up for 2024.

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“I just got the information that I am going to stay with the same team for next year, the rest I don’t know…” he said. “What I am sure of is [though], I am going to continue with Tech3 in MotoGP.”

Despite Fernandez’s revelation, team-mate Pol Espargaro - who secured a top six finish in only his second event of the season following a lengthy spell out through injury - remains convinced that he won’t be going anywhere either.

“I have a full contract for this year and next year, so I am zero worried about that. 

“I have my contract, I have a very good relationship with Mr Pierer, so there is nothing to worry about in my case. My results say that I am performing [well], I was ahead of my team-mate both times this weekend, but I don’t think it is about results, it is about contracts.

“I’m sure Pierer Mobility has a solution to this but it is nothing that worries me at the moment.”