Trackhouse Racing will start the MotoGP season with only Miguel Oliveira having the latest version of the Aprilia RS-GP, while Raúl Fernández will have the 2023 RS-GP for now. The Spanish rider may also have access to this year’s bike, a decision that will have to consider several aspects.
Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, told the press: ‘Maybe when you change a bike, sometimes in the beginning the old one is faster than the new one – we’ve seen that before. So, maybe Raúl can be faster with this bike. We will decide about the 2024 one together with Raúl. We have good options to start earlier or later, but we will also decide considering the development of the bike during 2024. Let’s see what the best solution is, because by regulation you can’t have more than two homologations. So, when you switch to the 2024 one, it’s already the second homologation, so maybe you lose development. We will sit down and discuss what the best possible path is‘.
The Italian even admitted the scenario of Fernández not wanting to change bikes: ‘We will decide together with Raúl when the right time is to change the bike. Maybe he falls in love with the 2023 one and doesn’t want to change – who knows? We will see at the beginning of the season if the 2024 one is better than the 2023 one – as we hope – or not. But I think we also need some time to understand the new bike‘.
