eam manager at Trackhouse has confirmed that its priority at the moment is to ask its current drivers what their wishes are, before drawing up any plans for its 2025 line-up.
“The first thing to do is talk to our current drivers, to take stock of their situation, and we haven’t started this process yet,” explained Davide Brivio. “Of course we also have to wait and see what happens in the paddock. There are many rumors and everyone is talking, but first of all we have to talk to Miguel and Raul, to understand if they are happy, if they want to stay or change. Take stock of the situation and plan the future together, this is the first thing.”
Joan Mir is one of the names that have been associated with the new premier class structure. When asked about the 2020 world champion, who is struggling in HRC, Brivio did not deny the possibility, but returned to the chronology he envisaged for the steps to be taken: “First of all there are our two current riders, with whom we have to talk. Then, if something happens… Anyone can be an option!”.
Aside from the identity of the drivers Trackhouse might be interested in, the big question is who will nominate them. The former Suzuki team manager, who stated that it is not the job of Justin Marks’ structure to develop young riders for Aprilia, stresses that both Fernandez and Oliveira are under contract with Aprilia, but that he is in constant communication with Massimo Rivola, CEO of the Noale company, so that both can share their point of view on a decision that will ultimately involve them both.
“We work closely with Aprilia and Massimo. In the end, obviously, it is Trackhouse’s decision, but we want to decide together, we have no intention of opposing it. We are talking and I think we are more or less on the same wavelength, so I am sure that we will find solutions that satisfy both parties,” Brivio said.
Davide Brivio women prioritize the Trackhouse pilots’ actions more carefully over all other options.
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
At Mugello, Rivola confirmed this good understanding between the Noale manufacturer and its satellite team: “We are talking with Davide, and he and I are in complete agreement. We have the same feelings about the riders”. Confident that a “bright future” awaits the American team, the Aprilia boss nevertheless left the ball to his compatriot: “They will choose the riders. Obviously, I will say what I think. At the moment they have good riders. I think that have not yet shown their full potential.”
The door to Trackhouse seems closed for Joe Roberts, at least for now
The first point on which Brivio and Rivola seem to agree is the exclusion of Joe Roberts from the Trackhouse signing equation. The American rider was leader of Moto2 in 2024, but the team boss speaks with caution about his situation.
“As we have always said, it would be nice to have an American driver, but it has to be when the time is right to do it. We would be happy to have an American driver, but we also have to see what our team’s plan is, what we want to achieve and what are our ambitions. When all this comes together, we will be happy to have an American driver,” he said.
Rivola, for his part, is more direct. “I don’t think that’s the case, given that the market can offer us very good drivers now,” he said, well aware of the opportunities that need to be seized, both for the satellite team and for the place that remains to be filled in the factory team. With the retirement of Aleix Espargaró and the departure of Maverick Vinales to KTM, Aprilia must decide who to line up alongside Jorge Martin. Logically, the path taken in Noale will have an impact on Trackhouse’s options.
“I think Davide said in an interview that it’s not about Trackhouse breeding a junior rider to move to Aprilia, and I agree. I think we now have to go to the market, which is moving quite quickly, and choose the best possible riders for the four bikes”, he concluded.
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