Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola admits the producer is “doing one thing flawed” in MotoGP after watching it slip away from Ducati within the pecking order in current races.
Aprilia has gone from frequently difficult MotoGP’s dominant marque to being solely an occasional top-five scorer in a span of simply 4 months, with final weekend’s British Grand Prix completely capturing its outstanding downfall from the highs of a dash win at Portimao and a dash and grand prix double victory in Austin in April.
At Silverstone, manufacturing facility rider Aleix Espargaro tumbled from pole to a distant sixth on the chequered flag, whereas team-mate Maverick Vinales had an much more bruising race en path to thirteenth place within the decrease reaches of the factors.
It prompted Americas GP winner Vinales to say it’s Aprilia which has made a step backwards in MotoGP, moderately than Ducati making a giant leap ahead with its GP24 bike.
Now, Rivola has joined Vinales to criticise the Noale-based model for its current leads to MotoGP, having solely celebrated a formidable grand prix victory at Silverstone 12 months in the past as a part of its ascent up the sphere.
“If we go and see, at Silverstone we had been 40 seconds sooner than final 12 months, which is an eternity, however we took 10 seconds from first [place],” he informed Sky Sport Italy.
Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
“Then it’s true that we’re 2.5s from Pecco [Bagnaia of Ducati], however it is a monitor the place Aprilia has all the time gone quick. We have solely proven that when it comes to general efficiency.
“We’re doing one thing flawed. Or moderately, Ducati is doing one thing notably properly, particularly since we obtained again to racing on European tracks. I do know they used a take a look at at Barcelona, which is a monitor with little grip, to make a leap ahead. They did properly.”
One of many largest strengths of the Ducati this 12 months has been its means to extract the utmost efficiency from Michelin’s new 2024 tyres, whereas additionally holding degradation to a minimal for the ultimate stretch of the race.
Conversely, Aprilia has been scuffling with heavy tyre put on on the RS-GP in 2024, with Espargaro having to suit a tough compound on the rear of his bike at Silverstone and Vinales complaining that his tyre was ‘gone after simply six laps’.
Talking in response, Rivola stated that Aprilia must commit a larger a part of the race weekend in the direction of understanding Michelin tyres, with Espargaro and Vinales notably struggling within the longer Sunday races.
“Since we’ve been again in Europe, an Aprilia on the entrance row is commonly there. It defends itself fairly properly within the dash, however within the lengthy race, from the center onwards we aren’t aggressive sufficient,” he lamented.
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Group
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
“There’s a efficiency administration challenge associated to tyre put on. We undoubtedly have to give attention to that, possibly even within the planning of the weekend, even on the danger of going by way of Q1 typically.
“We in all probability want extra data as early as Friday. As we put the bike on the monitor we’re instantly fast, however we are likely to stall primarily on the tyre challenge. I feel there may be extra of a set-up theme, mechanical and digital.
“And the format of how we handle the weekend. Perhaps attempting to take the tyre additional in put on, search for these issues that make a distinction.”
