Acosta, Fernandez join Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2™ for 2022

The current Moto3™ World Championship leader and compatriot Augusto Fernandez will replace Gardner and Raul Fernandez next season

Red Bull KTM Ajo have confirmed that current Moto3™ World Championship leader Pedro Acosta and three-time intermediate class race winner Augusto Fernandez will race for them in Moto2™ in 2022, as the Spanish duo replace MotoGP™-bound Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez.

Acosta, 17-years-old and the 2020 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, has been the revelation of the Moto3™ class in his maiden campaign. The teenager has taken five wins and is sitting 46 points clear at the top of the overall standings heading to MotorLand Aragon.

Fernandez, soon-to-be 24 years old, brings Moto2™ experience and podium pedigree to the team. The Spaniard is hoping to make the step of becoming a leading Championship candidate with the Ajo structure and seize the opportunity to further stamp his name in Moto2™, much in the same way Gardner has done in 2021.

Pedro Acosta: “Jumping to Moto2 was my goal because I believe it’s the step I need to make. Of course, there is always more to learn - and I could do that in Moto3 - but when it comes to details and my development as a rider then it feels like the right move. It’s a big advantage to stay in the Red Bull KTM Ajo team as we now have a year of working together and it’s always important to keep a good and positive feeling with the people around you. The team have really helped me in my first world championship year. It’s been a big step into the World Championship but I worked for it and I’m happy with how things have been going.”

Augusto Fernandez: “I’m really happy and satisfied to be joining Red Bull KTM Ajo. The team has been a reference in the category now for many years by winning races and fighting for championships. I think that experience of going for titles will really help me next year and I’m already looking forward to working with them.”

Aki Ajo, Team Principal: “We’ve had a very strong season in Moto2 with Remy and Raul and there are still a few races to go but looking to 2022 we are very happy to have another couple of great riders with Pedro and Augusto and a promising combination of experience and youth. We have known Augusto for some time and have seen his career and results. He has shown big potential and I think we can achieve great things together. Pedro’s rookie year in Moto3 has been something special and even more is coming. The step to Moto2 after just one season in Moto3 is a big one but if there is one racer that can make this step then it’s Pedro. We have a lot of trust in him and will, of course, fully support him. Together with Red Bull and KTM I am confident we have selected the right riders for our KTM GP Academy for the future.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director: “We are very pleased to announce the Moto2 rider line-up with Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez for our KTM GP Academy. Together with Red Bull KTM Ajo we have the best possible structure to support both riders in their next challenge. Aki Ajo and his team have played a fundamental role in the careers of many riders and we can be proud to have him by our side for the next project in rider development. It is a great pleasure to support Pedro's desire to move up from Moto3 to the next category. What he has shown in his first World Championship season is outstanding and we believe he can keep the momentum going. He will continue to focus on his goal for 2021, but we will then tackle the next challenge together. With Augusto we welcome another promising talent to our Red Bull KTM family. He has shown great signs and we are happy to have an experienced Moto2 rider in our line-up. I am sure that under Aki's guidance he can make the next level in performance and we will celebrate some exciting results in the near future.”

Every practice session, qualifying battle and race, exclusive interviews, historic races and so much more fantastic content: this is VideoPass!