Raul Fernandez returned to the Qatar Grand Prix podium with third place, completing his comeback from finger injuries. The Trackhouse rider started fourth, moved into second behind Marco Bezzecchi on the opening lap and tried to reduce fuel use by running in the Aprilia rider’s slipstream.

The tactic did not solve the problem. Fernandez said that after six or seven laps his fuel consumption was still too high. When Marc Marquez began closing in, Fernandez tried to protect the gap, but Marquez completed the pass in the closing laps and finished 0.531 seconds ahead. The podium remained a valuable result for Fernandez, who said he felt no pain in his fingers while riding.

Where Bezzecchi gained time

Fernandez identified the final corner as one of Bezzecchi’s main advantages. He was struggling to set up the exit onto the main straight, which compromised his acceleration. Fernandez also connected part of the difference to their contrasting mental approaches: he had arrived with modest expectations, while Bezzecchi had brought a particularly strong mindset into the weekend.

Fernandez remains seventh in the World Championship with two rounds left. His team-mate Ai Ogura finished fourth after a late charge. For Fernandez, Qatar delivered both a significant return to the podium and a missed opportunity for second place: his pace put him near the front, but fuel management ultimately shaped the order in the closing stages.