Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta continues to inject youth and energy into 2024 MotoGP and the rookie showed his rapid learning curve once more with a 3rd place finish at the demanding Algarve International Circuit for only his second outing on the GASGAS RC16. Augusto Fernandez grabbed his first points of the season in 11th at the Grand Prix of Portugal as the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team watched Moto3™ star Daniel Holgado score his first win in red!
Portimao missed some spring sunshine but brought action, fans and entertainment to the 2024 MotoGP story. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 headed into the 25-lap Grand Prix race on Sunday with some indication of tire performance and their potential thanks to an engaging Sprint on Saturday where Pedro Acosta logged a ‘PB’ with 7th place and Augusto Fernandez discovered more feeling and competitiveness on the #37 machine.
Acosta’s 7th place grid position (after experiencing the intense dive through Q1 and Q2 on Saturday) meant he was able to concentrate on his form and potency in the opening laps and then establish his race pace. The rookie was 9th in Qatar two weeks ago but swiftly sliced into that position and higher from the off. He overtook Brad Binder, Marc Marquez and then stalked world champion Francesco Bagnaia for a long period, climbing all over the Italian’s rear wheel. He finally relegated his rival to 5th with a delicious move into Turn 3. The last lap granted Pedro P3 to become the third youngest premier class podium finisher in history and his first spray of podium Prosecco!
Augusto battled with two other riders around the edge of the top ten and came home with a deserved 5 points for 11th. An improvement over Qatar a fortnight ago and a shot of confidence for the Grands Prix to come.
After building their pitbox setup and structure for European rounds, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 now repack the flight cases for another long-haul appointment. The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin will bring round three to life in three weeks.
Pedro Acosta, 3rd: “What to say about today?! From the beginning of the race the bike was working unbelievably. I am still not 100% comfortable in the Sprint at the moment – but it is coming – and in the longer races with the full tank and the harder suspension I feel much better. I have been racing like this all my life! But, man, we have to be super-happy! Our first podium in MotoGP! The team have been working super-hard. For example, we tried some things in warm-up this morning to help us in the first laps and they worked. The bike has been super-nice from beginning but, step-by-step, we are arriving to the point of getting the pace that we really want it.”
Augusto Fernandez, 11th: “A big step today. I managed the low grip after a good start and also had some good fights. I made a few mistakes because I wanted to push more but we know we need to make steps and take points. Our pace is here right now but happy to get points and want to keep building. Congrats to Pedro. Incredible!”
Nicolas Goyon, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 Team Manager: “What an unbelievable result and unbelievable weekend here in the Algarve. We knew Pedro could have good pace here this weekend and with a good start he could stay with the leaders but what a race. We saw all his talent when he moved to the front and passed those riders, those champions. A great result for the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team so we can only be happy and enjoy the moment. We are looking forward to seeing him again a bike as soon as possible! Congratulations also to Augusto and who doesn’t give up. He is facing his problems, and he is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He was near the top ten and if he keeps working like this then he will be back near the front very soon.”
- From GasGas Factory Racing
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