At the Trackhouse team presentation held in Los Angeles on Friday night, it was confirmed that Miguel Oliveira will be promoted to MotoGP's 2024 factory-spec Aprilia machine this season.
Oliveira and teammate Raul Fernández raced in the year-old RS-GP under the CryptoDATA RNF banner last season, the first year of Aprilia's satellite project.
However, the sudden departure of the former team owner and the transfer of grid positions to US-based Trackhouse will coincide with increased technical support from Aprilia.
The headline news is that five-time KTM race winner Oliveira will get his wish and race a 2024 factory-spec RS-GP alongside Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales.
“Full factory spec will be available to Miguel first and Raul shortly thereafter.” [Fernandez]” Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said at the launch.
“From a performance standpoint, it's going to be very important. We've seen how important it is with other manufacturers as well.”
Rivola added that more Aprilia factory staff will also be present at the trackhouse box, adding: “It will be an added incentive for Maverick and Aleix to perform well, so they will be able to see the trackhouse up front. I'm the happiest,” he vowed.
Oliveira, who achieved his best race result of 4th place in his injury-interrupted debut season with Aprilia, praised the move saying, “It's very important, because I finally have the opportunity to ride the factory bike.''
“For us, it's the path to go in terms of developing the material and getting to the top of the field. We're very motivated for the start of the season. It's not new, but everything feels new somehow. I don't know exactly what to expect because it feels like .
“So we have to stay alert and focused to get the best job possible.”
First Look: Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernández unveil Trackhouse Aprilia's 2024 MotoGP livery
Although the team has changed ownership and is highlighted by its striking Stars and Stripes livery, most of the staff from Wilko Zehrenberg on down appears to have remained the same.
Teammate Raul Fernandez therefore believes 2024 will be his first Grand Prix season, his second year with “the same team”.
“A podium or being in the top five again would be really good for us, but I don't want to think too much about it at the moment,” Fernandes said.
“This is a really important year for me. It will be my third time in MotoGP and my second time in Aprilia with the same team. I have never done anything like that in my life. [stayed at the same team]. I think it’s going to be a wonderful year…”
Aprilia won two Grand Prix races last season with Espargaro, making it the second most successful manufacturer in terms of GP wins behind Ducati's 17. Another win was for Honda, courtesy of Alex Rins of COTA.
