MotoGP loses another rider at Sepang as Raúl Fernández is declared unfit after FP1

News Summary

• Raúl Fernández has been officially ruled out of the 2026 Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix after experiencing pain in his injured right hand during Friday’s opening practice at Sepang.
• The Trackhouse Aprilia rider was initially cleared to take part in FP1, but a subsequent medical examination declared him unfit for the remainder of the weekend.
• Fernández is still recovering from finger fractures sustained in Indonesia and will miss another Grand Prix, leaving Ai Ogura as Trackhouse’s only rider in Malaysia.

Raúl Fernández has been ruled out of the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix after suffering further pain in his injured right hand during Friday’s (October 30) opening free practice session at Sepang International Circuit. The Trackhouse Aprilia rider was initially permitted to return to the motorcycle, but a medical reassessment after FP1 determined that he was not fit to continue competing.

The Spaniard has been recovering from fractures to the fingers of his right hand sustained during the Indonesian Grand Prix earlier this month. Although he attempted to return in Malaysia after withdrawing from the Australian round, the discomfort prevented him from riding normally, particularly under braking. MotoGP has now officially declared Fernández unfit for the remainder of the Sepang weekend.

Fernández declared unfit after attempting Malaysian MotoGP comeback

Fernández arrived in Malaysia hoping to return to competition despite the injury that had already interrupted his Australian Grand Prix.

The Trackhouse rider received permission from MotoGP’s medical team to participate in Friday’s first practice session, with his condition scheduled to be reassessed afterwards.

However, the Spaniard continued experiencing pain while riding.

According to the Brazilian edition of GRANDE PRÊMIO, Fernández struggled to operate the front brake normally, particularly when approaching Turn 1 at Sepang.

The braking demands placed additional stress on the injured fingers of his right hand.

Following FP1, the medical team reviewed his condition and determined that he could not safely continue.

MotoGP subsequently confirmed that the #25 Trackhouse rider would take no further part in the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The decision rules Fernández out of Friday afternoon’s Practice session, Saturday’s qualifying and sprint, and Sunday’s main race.

There has been no announcement of a replacement rider for the remainder of the event.

Finger fractures from Indonesia continue to affect Fernández

Fernández’s injury dates back to the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika.

The Spaniard fractured fingers on his right hand during the sprint weekend but nevertheless continued competing.

Despite the injury, he delivered a strong performance in Sunday’s Indonesian Grand Prix, finishing second and securing a podium.

However, the physical demands of riding a MotoGP motorcycle appear to have complicated his recovery.

The injury subsequently affected him during the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.

Fernández initially participated in the weekend and qualified sixth, but the discomfort increased during Saturday’s sprint.

He withdrew from the race and was later declared medically unfit for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported during the Australian weekend, Fernández was among several injured riders forced out at Phillip Island.

The Australian main race was subsequently cancelled because poor visibility prevented the medical helicopter from operating safely.

Fernández therefore arrived at Sepang having missed the conclusion of the previous weekend, but with the expectation that further recovery might allow him to return.

Friday’s medical decision ended that possibility.

Sepang’s heavy braking demands complicate return from injury

Sepang International Circuit is one of the most physically demanding venues on the MotoGP calendar.

The 5.540km circuit features long straights followed by heavy braking zones, requiring riders to apply substantial pressure through the brake lever while maintaining precise control of the motorcycle.

The right hand plays a particularly important role because it operates the throttle and front brake.

For a rider recovering from fractured fingers, that combination can make riding uncomfortable and affect braking consistency.

Fernández’s difficulties were particularly noticeable on the approach to Turn 1, one of Sepang’s principal braking zones.

The decision to stop his participation gives the Spaniard additional recovery time before the remaining rounds of the championship.

However, Trackhouse has not confirmed when Fernández will be fit to return.

His participation in the next Grand Prix will depend on further medical assessment.

Trackhouse continues Malaysian GP with Ai Ogura

Fernández’s withdrawal leaves Trackhouse Racing with only one rider participating in the remainder of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Ai Ogura will continue aboard the team’s other Aprilia.

The Japanese rider made a promising start at Sepang, showing competitive pace during Friday’s running.

Fernández, meanwhile, occupies seventh place in the Riders’ Championship with 236 points, having established himself as one of the strongest performers outside the leading title contenders.

His absence removes another rider from an already reduced Malaysian field.

Fermín Aldeguer has also been ruled out because of a right-hand injury, with Iker Lecuona continuing as his replacement at Gresini Ducati.

Jorge Martín, meanwhile, is attempting to compete despite the fractured right forearm sustained at Phillip Island.

Aprilia confirmed his journey to Malaysia earlier in the week, but his condition continues to require monitoring.

Fernández’s situation is different: he has already been officially ruled out of the entire Malaysian round.

Malaysian MotoGP prepares for qualifying and sprint

The Malaysian Grand Prix continues on Saturday, October 31, with the final free-practice session followed by qualifying and the sprint.

The championship enters the weekend with Marc Márquez leading Jorge Martín by ten points following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix.

Márquez has 365 points, compared with Martín’s 355, while Marco Bezzecchi remains third on 315.

Fernández’s absence will not directly decide the championship battle, but it reduces the number of riders available to compete for points at Sepang.

Malaysian MotoGP — Remaining schedule

The complete Malaysian MotoGP schedule and international start times provide further information for viewers across Asia, Europe and Oceania.

The championship continues at Sepang on Saturday, while Fernández will focus on recovering from the finger injuries that have affected him since Indonesia.

GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its MotoGP section.