New Trackhouse team principal Davide Brivio has issued a preliminary caution to Ducati in anticipation of the 2024 MotoGP season. Brivio, known for guiding Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) and Joan Mir (Suzuki) to MotoGP titles in the past, has made a comeback from his Formula 1 tenure to lead MotoGP’s latest team under Aprilia’s satellite initiative.
In a recent statement, he acknowledged Ducati’s formidable competitiveness and emphasized Aprilia’s imperative to narrow the gap and challenge Ducati’s dominance. Brivio highlighted Aprilia’s proactive approach, particularly in terms of aerodynamics, with their innovative new bike showing promising potential despite potential initial teething issues.
The primary objective, Brivio stressed, is to position Aprilia alongside Ducati and disrupt their supremacy, a mission shared with KTM while Japanese manufacturers aim to progress in the championship battle against Ducati, acknowledging the formidable challenge ahead.
Trackhouse, succeeding RNF, will field Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez as their rider duo for the 2024 season. Oliveira will benefit from utilizing a ‘24 spec factory bike. Brivio expressed optimism about collaborating closely with Aprilia’s management, led by Massimo Rivola, to foster a robust team environment and maximize the talents of their riders, Oliveira and Fernandez.
With Trackhouse’s background in NASCAR and their distinct American ethos, they bring a unique dynamic to the MotoGP grid. Brivio highlighted the team’s enthusiasm, innovation, and the potential cross-pollination of ideas between American and European racing cultures, aiming to leverage insights from NASCAR for MotoGP and vice versa.
Having transitioned from Suzuki’s success in MotoGP to an F1 stint with Alpine that fell short of expectations, Brivio now returns to the MotoGP realm where he has previously excelled. Reflecting on his F1 experience, he acknowledged the learning opportunities within a large-scale organization and expressed eagerness to apply any valuable insights gained to his new MotoGP venture, drawing from his diverse motorsport background.