Aprilia will now impose team orders on Trackhouse after Jorge Martin request

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Aprilia are now expected to impose restrictions on satellite team Trackhouse, starting from this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez collided at the Catalan GP last time out, potentially a decisive moment in the world championship. The factory rider was running in second place when Fernandez attempted the move at turn five.

The stewards decided not to penalise Fernandez because they felt it was a valid attempt at an overtake, but Massimo Rivola rebuked Davide Brivio in the pit lane in the immediate aftermath, suggesting that Aprilia didn’t share that view.

Will Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin fall out at Aprilia this year?

Massimo Rivola's riders could go head-to-head for the title!

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Trackhouse to be warned against taking ‘unnecessary risks’ vs Aprilia

Martin pushed Aprilia manager Paolo Bonora in the garage afterwards and, while he later apologised, this was apparently down to Bonora’s refusal to extend the ‘black rules’ to Trackhouse.

Martin and Marco Bezzecchi are expected to give one another more room when racing, and Martin felt it was only fair that Fernandez and Ogura were bound by the same obligations.

Having reviewed the incident, Rivola has said that he will meet with all four RS-GP riders to remind them of their shared objective. He will tell them to be more ‘careful’ and not take ‘unnecessary risks’ that could cost them points.

Motorpasion Moto infer that Rivola will introduce team orders from Mugello onwards. Significantly, while Ogura is heading to Yamaha, Fernandez is still seeking a new contract.

While no formal announcement has been made, Trackhouse are fully expected to renew their partnership with Aprilia for 2027 and beyond. They have been tied to the Noale manufacturer since their debut in 2024.

The Aprilia factory squad are 117 points clear of VR46 in the teams’ standings, but the gap to Ducati in the constructors’ is just 16. Fabio Di Giannantonio is also lurking a somewhat uncomfortable 26 points back in the riders’ table.