Aprilia is preparing to impose “directive guidelines” as it battles Ducati for the MotoGP standings, after a dominant 1‑2‑3‑4 finish in Indonesia.
Indonesian Grand Prix dominance
At Mandalika, Marco Bezzecchi crossed the line first, while his satellite teammate Raul Fernández took second, completing a sweep for the Aprilia marque.
The quartet also claimed third and fourth positions, making the result the rare instance of a single manufacturer occupying every spot in the podium.
Championship standings in jeopardy
With five races left, Jorge Martin’s two‑point margin over Marc Marquez is the only tantalising gap in the riders’ standings, while Bezzecchi sits 46 points adrift in third.
Martin’s title contention is complicated by his confirmed move to Yamaha next season, prompting Aprilia’s management to consider prioritising the rider who currently shapes the championships.
Fabiano Sterlacchini, the team’s technical director, noted that the club is still “completely free” today but that a set of manufacturer orders may soon be necessary to prevent intra‑team conflicts.
“We are discussing guidelines to avoid problems,” he added, highlighting the need for clarity before the Australians and other races bring fresh points into play.
Incidents that forced a rethink
The sprint race on Saturday saw both Fernández and Bezzecchi retire after a melee on the opening lap, a setback that handed a win to Marquez and underlined the risks of overlapping battles.
Fernández later criticised Bezzecchi’s “unprofessional” behaviour at the first braking zone, prompting Sterlacchini to facilitate a clear‑air discussion to soothe tensions.
Team unity under the microscope
According to Sterlacchini, misunderstandings often flare into tension, and the round‑table session with CEO Massimo Rivola helps maintain team cohesion while keeping strategic objectives transparent.
He stressed that “the decision to establish guidelines comes if the sprint race shows that risks remain whenever multiple riders from the same manufacturer are fighting on track.”
Looking forward
With the season’s final seven races tightening the gap between Aprilia and Ducati in the constructors’ title, the club’s next strategic move will decide whether the brand can convert its on‑track dominance into a championship.
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