Author Archives: PressBox

Aprilia said it could turn to team orders in the final two rounds of the MotoGP season if only one of its riders remains in realistic title contention, but for now Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi are free to race each other. Massimo Rivola said the team wants both riders fighting for wins as long as the mathematics remain open, though he and Fabiano Sterlacchini said internal guidelines may be needed to avoid problems in the title fight.

After the Indonesian Grand Prix, Martin led Marc Marquez by two points, with Bezzecchi 46 points back. Ai Ogura trailed Martin by 96 points and Raul Fernandez by 119, leaving all four RS-GP riders mathematically in contention with five rounds left. Aprilia said 185 points, or 148 if Qatar did not go ahead, were still available.

Sterlacchini said Aprilia wanted to establish team-order guidelines to avoid issues, pointing to a Turn 1 crash involving Bezzecchi and Fernandez in the Sprint and to Martin losing the lead to Marquez later because of tire-pressure concerns. He said the team might have to draw a line soon because the stakes were high and Aprilia wanted to avoid wasting money. Davide Tardozzi said he had no doubt Aprilia would eventually introduce team orders, called using them to aid Martin a logical move and said the championship would still be manageable if Aprilia defended its position in Australia. He also said Aprilia’s performance in Indonesia was decidedly superior.

MotoGP introduced a €5,000 fine for riders who miss promotional events such as the Hero Walk, requiring them to spend at least 10 of the 20 minutes set aside for Sunday morning activities. The rule was designed to keep riders in direct contact with fans and to support MotoGP’s image and growth. Some riders reportedly fell short of the minimum participation requirement and could face the first fines, while others joined fan activities in the VIP Village and pit lane.

Repeat violations could bring higher fines and tougher punishment later, but sporting sanctions have not yet been defined. The 2026 Grand Prix regulations already cover riders’ promotional obligations and allow financial sanctions and other penalties, though any disciplinary punishment must be imposed by the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel, not by the promoter. The promoter can report noncompliance and start the process, but any fine must be clearly identified as either a contractual penalty or an FIM disciplinary measure, with proportionality, due process and clear event rules still required.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez criticized the new rule after finishing sixth at the Indonesian Grand Prix. He said riders already had too many obligations and added that “the show should be on the race track, not outside it.” Marquez said he supported helping MotoGP grow, but believed there were other ways to do it without adding pressure on riders.