To the point of surpassing the Ducatis in the absence of Marc Marquez, the Aprilia Racing team has undeniably taken a step forward in the second half of the season. MotoGP 2025, but she didn't wait for that to share her current vision with the press, thanks to very interesting meetings with the management team, of Massimo rivola à Fabiano Sterlacchini Passing by Marco Di Luca.
While the first two are well known to the general public, the last, initially responsible for aerodynamics, is less well known, as its scope of action has evolved over time.
So before returning soon to the latest development seen during the test in Valencia, which marks a real change in Aprilia's approach, we are sharing here the comments that "the man with the patents" shared in September in Misano about the future RS-GP 27, and presented as follows by the communications manager in the Noale hospitality.
» Thank you for being with us. So Marco, as you know, is responsible for the chassis ("vehicle") at Aprilia Racing. Just a brief introduction: you already know him. He's competed in many categories, including Formula 1. Today at Aprilia Racing, he's in charge of the chassis, so aerodynamics, but not only that: chassis, suspension, swingarm, ergonomics, everything related to the motorcycle. This discussion is dedicated to the 2027 project, and I think it could be very interesting. I'll hand it over to you.
The man is good-natured, affable, has a sense of humor, and clearly takes a mischievous pleasure in answering the press's questions.
As usualWe reproduce here in full the remarks of Marco Di Luca without any formatting, even if it is translated from English.
🎤 First of all, does the motorcycle already exist or is it still only on paper?
"It's on paper, but from an engine perspective, it's already more than just paper. Yes, absolutely. We're at the 'meta' level, let's say."
🎤 Okay. Is it already up and running?
"You could say that, yes... well, yes (laughs). It's a work in progress."
🎤 How different is the aerodynamic package with the new rules?
"That's a very good question, because I'm part of the committee that's steering the new rules, and I don't want to talk about a revolution. It's an evolution."
There are some simplifications, some limitations. For example, we added homologation to the rear section, removed certain constraints, reduced the width, and reduced the maximum height at the rear.
"There are, I would say, limitations in terms of dimensions, but in other aspects, I would say it's similar, or perhaps even leaves some room for maneuver."
🎤 As a percentage, what percentage does this reduce the lift?
"I don't know. Really, I don't know. And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you (laughs)."
🎤 In your opinion, what will make the biggest difference in 2027: the regulations or the tires?
"That's an excellent question. We don't know."
We speculate a lot about the tires because we don't know how they behave and we haven't had the opportunity to model these new tires yet.
With my experience, particularly in Formula 1, perhaps I have a bit more intuition, but it can completely change the bike in terms of balance. And balance is generally what most impacts the design of the motorcycle. It's not just grip, it's overall balance.
So I would say… I don't know. We hope they will be similar.
🎤 Will Tuesday's test really be crucial?
"Yes, the first one, clearly. Because there won't be many tests with these tires. We hope that from Wednesday onwards, we'll know a little more."
🎤 How many tests are planned?
"There are two key tests at the moment. The weather is important, and the tire's thermal behavior is crucial. So, for me, there are still many unknowns."
🎤 Do you expect the tires to behave similarly to the Pirelli tires seen in Superbike, for example?
"We tend to think it will be more or less similar, but guys, honestly, I'm not a tire specialist, so it's hard to say at this stage."
🎤 What impact do you expect from the removal of ride height devices, given that they greatly influenced acceleration?
"What am I waiting for? We want a safer, cheaper motorcycle first (laughs). And far fewer headaches, that's for sure."
🎤 Because for the mechanics, it's a huge amount of work…
"It's a very interesting device, but also very complex to develop, adjust, make work properly, and make pleasant for the pilot, because the way to control it is quite delicate.
If you only knew what they do… (sound of lips).
This is a very personal opinion, but for me, it's too dangerous.
Fortunately, we haven't had any serious incidents, and I'm happy about that.
But to answer your question: yes, of course, the performance at the start, launch, braking and acceleration out of certain corners will change.
Because you cannot activate the device for the entire acceleration phase: you also have to manage the braking phase.
And it's quite ironic, because with a few euros, we could do this electronically, whereas today we spend a huge amount on a mechanical system!
In any case, the acceleration will return to something we knew before, and the starts will be more “human”.
And also because we expect to have a little less… well, that’s our challenge, but the regulation will give us, at the beginning, something less effective in terms of anti-sway, from our point of view.
Thus, during the departure phase, not at the very beginning but in the second part of the launch, we can now benefit from the help of aerodynamics, and this will be reduced.
I mean, there are certain limitations because we're reducing the dimensions. So the start will be a bit more "normal," I'd say. And it'll be the same with the acceleration.
But all of this is simply a matter of physics, I would say; I don't expect anything else.
🎤 We will undoubtedly see a lot more physical effort from the drivers to compensate…
“During starts, for example, in addition to the device, they got into the habit of leaning their bodies forward a lot or standing up. The motorcycles were even designed to favor this rider position.”
I expect something even more sophisticated to recover some of that effect. Perhaps something clever will be needed.
🎤 But what I meant was that since the ride height device will be completely prohibited, both at the start and during acceleration, there will be much more movement from the pilot, which will also have to be taken into account in the aerodynamics…
"Yes, clearly, without a doubt."
🎤 Can you explain how the motorcycle will be safer, given that some riders were adjusting the holeshot device to be more stable?
"It's a system that, for us, works very well, it's incredibly reliable. But there's also the pilot's concentration: at the moment of departure, you see their movements, “Am I lowered? Or not? Did I engage it? Or not?”.
I am not a professional pilot, but you lose (concentration), and that means more… (risks).
Fortunately, we didn't have a serious accident, but for a pilot, in my opinion, it's not ideal.
It's fun, it's technologically interesting, but the rule is now clear.
I've seen this very often in Formula 1: when everyone reaches more or less the same level, people say: “Okay, you know what? We’re deleting that.” »
🎤 Perhaps we'll see beautiful rear wheels again, like the front ones coming out of corners, instead of completely flat-footed motorcycles?
"It will depend on the level of grip. For example, here at Misano, we've already had some easy wheelies. It depends on the tire, on its grip."
But from a physics perspective, the center of gravity will be, or could be, higher than it is today, especially when the motorcycle no longer lowers itself… and the ground is right there (at maximum lean angle) (laughs).
To be continued…
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