Leopard Racing has broken its silence following the disqualification of Adrian Fernandez from the opening six rounds of the 2026 Moto3 World Championship, firmly denying accusations that it illegally opened or modified the rider's engines.
The controversy emerged ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix when MotoGP stewards ruled that two Honda engines used by Fernandez showed signs of unauthorised disassembly and reassembly after irregularities were discovered in their security seals during technical inspections. As a result, Fernandez was stripped of his results from the first six races of the season.
The penalty has significantly impacted Fernandez's championship campaign. The Spaniard, who had been running third in the standings, lost two podium finishes and several other points-scoring results, dropping to 20th in the championship. His fourth-place finish at Mugello remains unaffected because a different engine was used during that event.
Leopard Racing has appealed the decision but was unsuccessful in overturning the ruling. The stewards stated that the team failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the condition of the engine seals and evidence suggesting the engines had been opened.
In an official statement, Leopard Racing rejected any suggestion that it had breached Moto3 regulations. The team stressed that inspections of multiple engines found no illegal components, performance-enhancing modifications or non-compliant parts.
Leopard also argued that the case centres on the interpretation of the engine sealing system rather than any proven technical infringement. The team further claimed there is no evidence showing when the alleged violation occurred or that any sporting or technical advantage was gained.
Another point raised by the team was that no Leopard representative was present during the inspections, which it believes leaves important procedural and technical questions unanswered. The squad is now reviewing further legal options while continuing to defend its position.
Despite the setback, Leopard Racing reiterated its commitment to complying with Moto3 regulations and vowed to pursue all available avenues to protect both the team's interests and Fernandez's reputation.
The dispute is likely to remain one of the biggest talking points in the Moto3 paddock as Leopard seeks to challenge a ruling that has dramatically altered the championship picture.
