Raul Fernandez signs Trackhouse Aprilia extension through 2028
NXTbets Pro | Published On: August 5, 2026
Fernandez contract
Raul Fernandez has locked in his future with Trackhouse Aprilia, agreeing to a new deal that runs through the end of 2028 and keeps him on the grid for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons. The agreement ends months of uncertainty around his place at the team and gives Trackhouse a clear answer after Fernandez had been set to come out of contract at the end of 2026. The negotiation ran for nearly six months and centered on one main issue, the length of the deal. Fernandez wanted a two-year contract. Trackhouse wanted more flexibility in the terms. The team initially pushed a one-year extension for 2027, but the sides kept working until they reached a longer agreement. That final outcome gives Trackhouse continuity with a rider who has started to show more of the form the team wanted when it brought him in. It also removes any short-term speculation and sets up a longer runway for both sides as MotoGP moves toward the next cycle of regulations and lineups. In a sport where rider contracts and factory paths can change quickly, the new deal gives Fernandez security and gives Trackhouse a rider it believes can keep moving forward.
Trackhouse view
Trackhouse owner Justin Marks has made it clear why the team moved to keep Fernandez. Marks said the rider has improved in commitment, preparation and maturity, and he said he was thrilled to secure Fernandez’s commitment. That view matters because Trackhouse has treated the rider’s growth as part of the bigger project, not just as a single-contract decision. Marks believes Fernandez can help turn the team into a consistent championship threat, and the new agreement reflects that belief. The extension also points to stability around Trackhouse’s plans for the next few seasons, with Fernandez expected to team up with Enea Bastianini in 2027. That pairing gives the team a defined direction beyond the current contract window and keeps its rider line focused on performance rather than uncertainty. Marks’ comments underline how Trackhouse sees Fernandez now, as a rider whose progress has matched the team’s expectations and who can still take another step. The renewal gives the organization a chance to build around that progress instead of resetting its plans after 2026. It also shows that the talks, while drawn out, ended with both sides aligned on the long-term direction of the project.
Fernandez results
Fernandez’s new deal comes after a stretch that has reinforced his value to Trackhouse. He earned his first premier class victory at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, a breakthrough that established his ceiling at MotoGP’s top level. This season has added more evidence. Fernandez has scored three podium finishes in 2026, with trips to the rostrum at Thailand, Assen and Sachsenring. He has also already taken three Sprint podiums, which has helped round out a strong campaign. His Sprint wins have come in Italy and the Netherlands. That mix of results gives Trackhouse a rider who has shown he can deliver on more than one type of weekend and across different circuits. The new contract rewards that progress and keeps the team invested in a rider who has already produced wins and podiums across multiple formats. It also gives Fernandez a platform to push for more as he continues to build on his best MotoGP form. With the contract settled, the focus shifts back to the track, where Fernandez now has the backing and the time to keep developing with Trackhouse through the next stage of his career.
