With five rounds remaining in the 2026 season, Aprilia faces a major strategic dilemma in the paddock. The Noale-based manufacturer is carefully weighing up potential directive guidelines to bolster its championship aspirations, though it insists its riders remain completely free to race for the time being.
This internal deliberation comes on the heels of a historic 1-2-3-4 lockout at the Indonesian Grand Prix. Factory rider Marco Bezzecchi took a hard-fought victory at Mandalika following an intense duel with Trackhouse Racing's standout Raul Fernandez.
Even amidst such dominant performances, Aprilia knows it must pull out all stops to fend off relentless pressure from Ducati in a championship battle that has swung dramatically all year. In the riders' standings, Jorge Martin holds a precarious two-point advantage over Marc Marquez, while Bezzecchi sits 46 points adrift in third place.
With Martin set to join Yamaha next season and Bezzecchi viewed as the long-term pillar of the team, management faces the tough choice of potentially throwing full weight behind a departing rider. Technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini admitted that internal discussions regarding team orders have begun to ensure the squad does not squander its golden opportunity.
"It's good to have this kind of problem, to manage the situation. For the moment, as our CEO Massimo [Rivola] declared, it is completely free," Sterlacchini told Motorsport.com. "[But] clearly, we start to discuss between us to put some directive guidelines to avoid problems."
Sterlacchini noted that no definitive deadline has been established yet, but a decisive team strategy will likely be defined before the season reaches its climax. With just 12 points separating the brands in the manufacturers' standings heading to Australia, Aprilia's upcoming tactical choices will prove pivotal.
Baca Juga
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