This Thursday, during the press conference held by Aprilia on the sidelines of the Italian Grand Prix, Massimo Rivola, its general manager, confirmed that negotiations were underway so that the RNF team, currently under contract with Yamaha, joins its ranks next season. The rumor swelled for several weeksbut the definitive answer is not yet known.
“I would like to tell you that the answer will come very soon… And in itself, whether it is yes or no, the answer will come very soon because the deadline that we have set is now”explained Rivola. “To be honest, I push for this and Aleix [Espargaró] push me for it. If this is not possible, we will continue to do what we have done so far. It’s not that we have to do it but it’s an opportunity for us to grow, to increase the bikes, the riders, the engineers. But to do it properly, we have to know whether it will be yes or no in the next few days.”
With the victory ofAleix Espargaró in Argentina then his three consecutive podiums won in Portimão, Jerez and Le Mans which led to loss of concessionsthe Italian manufacturer has become particularly interesting in the eyes of the drivers, but also of the other teams, starting with RNF, which has been encountering major difficulties for the past two years.
After the loss of its title sponsor late last year, RNF, formerly SRT, had few long-term certainties and preferred to only re-engage with Yamaha for the 2022 season. Lin Jarvis, head of manufacturer engagement Japanese in MotoGP, was hoping for a extension with his satellite teamwhich took over from Tech3 at its side in 2019, but things don’t seem so simple, especially since Aprilia is showing great interest.
“It’s Massimo’s job and I will never tell him what to do, I just told him I would really like it. I can’t really explain why, because it won’t really change my life. It would be very good to spread out my work a bit, because with more bikes it’s easier to progress but in the end, it wouldn’t change my life”said Aleix Espargaró.
To see more bikes in another team would be a dream.
Aleix Espargaró
“I don’t know why but I feel that deep inside me, and I hope that Romano [Albesiano, le directeur technique d’Aprilia, ndlr] I won’t mind, I’m kind of the ‘daddy’ of RS-GP, so seeing more RS-GP on track would be amazing for me. It’s like ‘my’ bike, so to see more bikes in another team would be a dream. I think it’s the same for Romano and for everyone at Aprilia. Not so long ago no one wanted to ride our motorcycle. Now a lot of talented riders and teams want our bike so we are very proud.”
If the names of pilots are circulating within Aprilia to join their satellite team, Massimo Rivola insisted on the fact that nothing had yet been concluded: “If that happens we will start looking at the drivers. I personally have my wish list which I am happy to share with Romano, Aleix and Maverick but now is not the time. Now is the time to decide if it’s done or not, and then we’ll see.”
The association between Aprilia and RNF risks depriving Yamaha of a satellite team in 2023. The tuning fork firm would be the only one in this situation since Suzuki, the only other manufacturer without a partner this year, planned to withdraw from MotoGP at the end of the year. An alternative remains if Dorna decides to accept an independent team to make up for Suzuki’s departure, but time is running out to set up such a program.