After recent talks among MotoGP manufacturers, Aprilia’s proposal to limit riders to a single vehicle during Friday and Saturday practice sessions is in a precarious situation. This initiative, which had gained support, now presents fundamental doubts that could lead to its disappearance.
The original idea was for teams to withdraw one of the two vehicles during practice sessions and return to the usual format of two vehicles for races. However, tensions within the Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (MSMA) have forced a rethink of this proposal, which appeared ready for approval.
The measure, defended by Aprilia and backed by Ducati, aims to be a solution to save costs. However, opponents of the plan argue that the real goal is to capitalize on a technical advantage that both manufacturers believe they have with their new prototypes for the 2027 season.
Limiting riders to a single vehicle could hinder development and make it difficult for rivals to reduce the current perceived performance gap. The main opposition comes from KTM, which even though it initially seemed more flexible, ultimately maintained a stance against the initiative. Additionally, independent teams have expressed their disagreement, seeing no concrete benefits from the proposal.
Honda has avoided a firm position, making it clear that it would accept the majority’s decision. The situation changed drastically in just over a month, when at a MSMA meeting during the Hungarian Grand Prix, manufacturers seemed to have reached an agreement on this limitation.
However, without formally signing the agreement, the lack of unanimity has allowed KTM to revive its opposition, thus breaking the necessary unity to present the proposal to the Grand Prix Commission, responsible for approving regulatory changes.
Currently, the proposal is not entirely dead, but it seems unlikely that it can be implemented in the immediate future. Divisions among manufacturers could not be resolved at the recent Sachsenring Grand Prix, and discussions will resume in three weeks at Silverstone, where a definitive verdict is expected. Several riders have privately criticized the idea of using only a single vehicle during practice, considering it radical and illogical.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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