Aprilia concludes an exceptional year in MotoGP

The 2022 season was exceptional for Aprilia, which notably recorded its very first victory in the premier class thanks to Aleix Espargaro at the Argentine Grand Prix. With nine podiums, the Noale firm occupies second place in the ranking for the number of Top 3s recorded this year, far behind Ducati and its 32 units on the clock. 

Lorenzo Savadori, test driver for the brand, was in Jerez for two days of driving on November 15 and 16. Despite mixed conditions, the Italian was still able to complete 134 laps, notably working on new electronic configurations. According to the press release, the data collected opened up interesting development prospects for 2023.

At the same time, Espargero and Maverick Viñales went to Cologne for a wind tunnel session to work on the aerodynamics of the RS-GP. Espargaró and Viñales worked on the first 2023 prototype, the characteristics of which will be analyzed and refined during the winter break. Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez also went through the wind tunnel to adapt the Aprilia to the body shape.

Note that more and more manufacturers like KTM in MotoGP or BMW in World Superbike use 3D printing to model their drivers in real size. They can therefore use exact replicas to continue their aerodynamic research in the wind tunnel. 

BMW “prints” its drivers in 3D and then uses their replica in the wind tunnel. (Photo: BMW Motorrad)

End of privileges for Aprilia

Until the day before the Spanish Grand Prix, Aprilia was still the only manufacturer to benefit from certain advantages, or concessions, offered by the regulations. Aprilia was therefore authorized to use up to nine engines per season compared to seven for its counterparts. These engines could be developed during the year while the others must compete in the season with a single specification.

Another advantage, and not the least, the factory had the right to do tests with its regular drivers whenever it wanted and where it wanted within the limit of a certain number of tires. She is allowed up to six wildcards per season, compared to three for her competitors. Depending on its results, a manufacturer who benefits from these advantages scores points: 1 point for a third place, 2 for a second place and 3 for a victory.

At Silverstone last year, Espargaro gave Aprilia its very first podium in the premier class since Jeremy McWilliams' third place in 2000 (at Donington Park). With the very first success of the Catalan's career in Argentina followed by a third place in Portimão then in Jerez, Aprilia scored 6 points and immediately lost the right to test with its regular riders.

Aprilia was still able to take advantage of other technical advantages during the year, but the factory will no longer have them next season. It will be a question of seeing if this will influence the development and rise of RS-GP. KTM lost its concessions in 2020 and seems to have experienced a slight decline since…