Aprilia MotoGP boss Romano Albesiano says supplying a customer team with RS-GPs is not a “primary target” for the Italian marque, and is instead focused more on building up its test team.
Aprilia returned to MotoGP in 2015, running its factory operation in conjunction with the Gresini team, and will be one of only two manufacturers in '19 without a satellite operation, along with Suzuki.
With MotoGP's newest manufacturer KTM expanding its presence in '19 by offering the Tech3 team factory support, Albesiano was asked if Aprilia had plans to supply a satellite team in the future.
The Italian admitted this was not a priority for Aprilia, and says growing the test team – which will be fronted by ex-KTM man Bradley Smith – and contesting wildcards to the “right level” is the “best way” forward for the Noale firm.
“Yeah, for Aprilia this is not a primary target,” Albesiano said when asked about the prospect of an Aprilia satellite team.
“We decided to invest in the development team, the test team, and doing wildcard participation at the right level.
“This, we believe, being focused on the two factory riders plus one high level of test rider, it's the best way to develop the structure which is not giant like we are.”
As well as Smith joining its test team and Andrea Iannone joining the race team from Suzuki, Aprilia has gained ex-Ferrari Formula 1 sporting director Massimo Rivola, who will become CEO while Albesiano focuses on his role as technical director.
Satellite Suzuki team an 'ongoing discussion'
When asked the same question regarding the possibility of Suzuki expanding with a satellite operation, team boss Davide Brivio says this is an “ongoing discussion” within the company.
Brivio is keen for Suzuki to have a customer entry to aid development of the GSX-RR, but admits the company itself is more reluctant due to its lack of resources relative to its rival Japanese marques.
He is also aware any Suzuki satellite team would be unlikely to happen until after '20, as all customer teams have contracts with their respective manufacturers already in place.
“This is an ongoing discussion for us inside the company, and as a team we would really like to have a satellite team here to get much more information and to develop even further bike,” said Brivio.
“But for the company, it's a big effort because we don't have so much resources and not so many people like our competitors.
“Anyway, we are always working, we are keeping discussions and I hope we are able to do something for 2020, even if now – I didn't check – the situation with the teams, looks like they are all committed for 2020.
“So it might be difficult because all the [satellite] teams have contracts that expire after 2020.
“But this is something in our mind in our discussions and is a target for Suzuki, but still the decision is yet to come.”
