This is probably the best problem Aprilia has ever had to deal with since its arrival in MotoGP. At the halfway point of the season, the Italian manufacturer occupies the top two positions in the riders' world championship. Jorge Martin is leading the pack with the factory RS-GP, but right behind him is none other than Ai Ogura… on an Aprilia TrackHouse. While everyone is currently celebrating the exceptional performance of the RS-GP, no one has yet been confronted with the thorny question: will the Aprilia staff really accept seeing a satellite team clinch its first-ever MotoGP title at the expense of its factory team?
Two years ago, the question would have seemed almost absurd. Today, it is perfectly legitimate. The four pilots Aprilia They still mathematically have a chance of playing in the championship, but they are indeed Jorge Martin et Ai Ogura who occupy the top two positions in the overall standings. Even more remarkable, the Japanese driver has become the very embodiment of consistency this season.
Admittedly, only one Grand Prix victory. But a string of podium finishes and an impressive ability to score big points every weekend. To the point that the possibility of a TrackHouse world title is no longer science fiction.
Asked by Motorsport.com Italy on the possibility of team instructions imposed by Aprilia if the championnat what was going to happen between Martin et OguraDavide Brivio initially displayed a slight unease. Well, if there are two of us competing against someone else, I don't know"A diplomatic response that probably says more than expected."
The former boss of Suzuki, who knows perfectly well how manufacturers' politics work in MotoGP, nevertheless hopes that'Aprilia will draw inspiration from a particularly recent precedent.
Will Aprilia follow the path already shown by Ducati? "This is a great example that I hope to see repeated." »
Brivio wanted to pay tribute to the management of the duel between Francis Bagnaia et Jorge Martin in 2024. " I must pay tribute to Ducati, to Gigi Dall'Igna and to the entire team Regarding what happened at the time with Bagnaia and Martin, insofar as they were free to do so I believe that's still the case. »
Ducati had then accepted the immense risk of seeing a satellite rider deprive the official team of the world title. A sporting philosophy that was widely praised in the paddock. Brivio clearly hopes to receive the same treatment. This is a great example that I hope to see repeated, but above all, it would be a dream to find ourselves in this situation again.." Before concluding humorously: " You set a trap for me and I fell into it! »
For the moment, the technical managers ofAprilia they hold a particularly consensual discourse. Brivio reports the remarks of Fabiano Sterlacchini : " As long as an Aprilia motorcycle wins, I'm happy, regardless of its color.. »
But the history of motorcycle sport teaches us a much more complex reality. From a purely sporting perspective, it would be an absolute triumph for ApriliaPolitically and commercially, the situation would be much more difficult to manage.
Manufacturers invest hundreds of millions of euros to win world titles. Naturally, they generally prefer that these titles be won by their factory drivers.
The second half of the season promises to be exciting, not only from a sporting perspective, but also politically. If George Martin maintains its lead, the question will probably never arise. On the other hand, if Ai Ogura were to take the lead in the championship in the upcoming races, Aprilia will need to clarify its position quickly.
TrackHouse Is it simply a client team tasked with developing the brand's talent? Or does it enjoy exactly the same sporting rights as the official team? Davide Brivio has already given his answer. He wants MotoGP to remain a sport where the best rider wins, regardless of the color of the fairing.
It now remains to be seen whether Aprilia will be ready to accept that a Japanese rider, at the handlebars of a motorcycle TrackHousewrites the most beautiful page in its MotoGP history. It's the kind of problem all manufacturers dream of. Until the moment they actually have to solve it.
