MotoGP: RNF will be Aprilia’s satellite team for 2023

Aprilia will have a satellite team for 2023 fielding extra RS-GP machines on the MotoGP grid next season.

The Aprilia satellite team will not be Suzuki’s replacement as first thought. It will be the RNF Racing Team who will make the dramatic switch from Yamaha to Aprilia. After a tough start to 2022 with Yamaha RNF have scored 14 points between their two riders.

Razlan Razali: “We are absolutely thrilled for this long-term partnership with Aprilia Racing, our philosophy remains to work together with the factory team to develop riders that will one day become Aprilia factory riders.

“We will assist them in development to ensure that we continue to be competitive and ultimately win with Aprilia Racing.

“The proposal by Aprilia Racing fulfils our long-term plans, strategies and security for the next two plus two years and I must thank Massimo for his trust, confidence and faith in us. We are absolutely looking forward to the season next year and this new partnership.

“At the same time, we want to express our gratitude to Yamaha for these past years working together and growing together. We will, though, maintain our focus on working hard this season in order to improve our results together with Yamaha and eventually conclude 2022 on a high note.”

Massimo Rivola: “I am happy to announce the agreement with RNF Racing, we have always reasoned in small steps and as we demonstrate the competitiveness of our RS-GP, a natural part of the journey is to see two more on track.

“The Noale racing department is a true heritage of knowledge, of technical culture applied to high performance motorbikes as well as sports management. With RNF Racing we find a partner to enhance and valorise this extraordinary heritage.

“We are thinking, of course, of the riders and the best competitiveness, but also of raising new generations of engineers, technicians and managers. To continue and improve the extraordinary, all-Italian tradition of Aprilia Racing”.

Extra bikes on the grid for Aprilia will be crucial for their development of a now race winning RS-GP bike. The Noale factory will now have four riders on their bikes and could attract some decent talent to their ranks.

This means that as it stands Yamaha will not have a satellite team for the 2023 season. Yamaha have struggled throughout 2023, with the exception being Quartararo. Four M1’s on the grid will be a bonus for Yamaha to keep development of the bike going.

Listen to our discussion on this new deal on the Superbike Show next Wednesday.

Images from MotoGP.com