Aprilia is fascinated with bolstering its MotoGP take a look at line-up with Miguel Oliveira subsequent yr, however says such a transfer would require the blessing of his new employer BMW.
After dropping his Pramac MotoGP seat for 2026, Oliveira accepted a suggestion from the German producer to affix its World Superbike Championship squad as a manufacturing unit rider, teaming up with fellow ex-MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci.
The Portuguese was additionally supplied a take a look at function with Aprilia to assist develop its RS-GP, however a “want to compete” led him to decide on WSBK
However, the Noale-based marque stays fascinated with his providers for 2026 and want to signal him if BMW permits a twin function.
With Jorge Martin sidelined for a lot of 2025 resulting from accidents, and Lorenzo Savadori stepping in at 10 races, Aprilia has confronted a scarcity of take a look at riders this season. Ai Ogura has additionally been absent from the final two rounds resulting from a hand damage.
“I would like to have a bit extra luck in crashes, but when these are the statistics possibly we want some extra [riders],” Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola stated in Indonesia. “This yr, Sava did some assessments however he was racing [most of the time].
“If you wish to ask me about Miguel Oliveira, if there’s a likelihood, we are going to take an opportunity. Thus far, I don’t know.”
Requested whether or not Oliveira representing two rival motorbike manufacturers may trigger points, Rivola added: “Since he signed with BMW, we have to ask BMW first. From our aspect, [we would be happy], we are going to see.”
Massimo Rivola, Workforce principal Aprilia Racing
Photograph by: Alexander Trienitz
Oliveira has been open to combining his racing commitments in WSBK with a take a look at function in MotoGP ever since his contract with BMW was introduced final month.
Furthermore, the 30-year-old already has prior expertise of working with Aprilia, having raced for its satellite tv for pc staff RNF Racing/Trackhouse between 2023-24.
When instructed Rivola was open to hiring him subsequent yr, Oliveira reiterated that he remained within the alternative if all events may attain an settlement.
“Yeah, for me, it is an possibility,” he stated. “For certain, it could be one thing to see with BMW first.
“The precedence can be to race, after all, however by way of how issues may truly be completed by way of calendar, as a result of I might additionally perceive that Aprilia desires to take full benefit of getting me testing their bike and never simply leaping on the bike generally in my free time.
“So, it is not straightforward to provide you with a schedule that matches everybody.”
No regrets over missed Honda likelihood
After Marc Marquez introduced his choice to go away Honda with a yr left on his contract on the finish of 2023, one of many first riders it approached to fill the emptiness was Oliveira.
Nevertheless, with Oliveira already contracted to Trackhouse for 2024 and Honda solely prepared to supply him a one-year deal, he selected to stay with the American staff.
Then-VR46 rider Luca Marini finally accepted the one-year contract initially supplied to Oliveira, and has benefitted from the Sakura-based marque’s latest upswing in efficiency.
Requested if he had any regrets about turning down Honda’s supply two years in the past, Oliveira stated:
“No, I do not really feel that [way].
“Two years in the past after I was supplied the HRC contract, it was for a yr. I had a contract with Aprilia for that season and I instructed them that I couldn’t break [an existing] contract for a one-year contract as a result of I might injury a relationship.
“I wanted no less than a two-year contract, which they did not supply me.
“Anyway, it was not in my character to interrupt a deal simply to change a spot, and so I did not see the potential to maneuver there.”
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