With engine design frozen for the ultimate yr of the 1000cc MotoGP period, electronics and aerodynamics are among the many areas Aprilia is focusing on for the 2026 RS-GP.
At Thursday’s workforce presentation, technical director Fabiano Sterracchini outlined how the RS-GP’s electronics have been refined in pursuit of micro-improvements in rider confidence and acceleration.
“By way of electronics, I believe you in all probability noticed throughout the season that we have been very targeted on making a neater (extra steady) bike, additionally bearing in mind rider feedback,” Steracchini started.
“What I at all times say is that it would not matter what the efficiency stage is, but when it is exhausting to push the bike to its limits, the rider will maintain some margin, proper? So it will find yourself being slower.
“So within the electronics, we undoubtedly labored within the space of traction management, particularly on the exit of corners, but in addition on the entry.
“As a result of if you should use the benefit of the rear tire to cease the bike, you’ll be able to brake later, which not solely makes you more practical when overtaking, but in addition improves your lap instances.”
“Principally, it’s these elements that we’re engaged on.
“However in between there are some unique issues like making the wheelie management smoother or rising (acceleration) by 0.0001g, as a result of every part needs to be proper.”
Jorge Martin’s 2026 Aprilia RS-GP.
Sterracchini mentioned aerodynamics is usually a trade-off between downforce and drag, “as a result of in the event you improve downforce on the entrance, you additionally improve drag.”
Nonetheless, that relationship can change, as some downforce has much less drag than others. And medicines themselves aren’t essentially a foul factor. Definitely a bonus when braking.
“What we would like by way of aerodynamics is to ‘lengthen cowl,’” Staracchini mentioned. This implies optimum aerodynamic conduct at every stage of using.
“(We would like) to have the ability to get higher effectivity and generate higher aerodynamic forces which might be helpful to efficiency, however with out the draw back of getting to pay a worth for that profit.
“However for instance, drag helps cease the bike, which suggests that you must generate drag whereas stopping, however you needn’t generate drag alongside the primary straight (for prime velocity).”
“So that is an ongoing course of that mainly each firm is doing. And in the event you’re smarter and sooner than different firms, you will get higher outcomes.”
Sterracchini made an instantaneous influence in his debut season as Aprilia’s technical director.
The 2025 RS-GP gained 4 Grands Prix and three dash races, giving Aprilia a file 2nd place within the MotoGP constructors’ rating and third place within the Riders’ title (together with Marco Bezzecchi).
