Trackhouse Racing is Aprilia’s satellite team in MotoGP, and while the Noale-based manufacturer has no direct influence on rider selection, the departure of both factory team riders could impact the Americans.
Jorge Martín has already been confirmed on one of the official RS-GPs, but it is still unknown who will replace Maverick Viñales. There are several potential candidates, such as Fabio Di Giannantonio, Marco Bezzecchi or… Miguel Oliveira and Raúl Fernández, currently with Trackhouse. In this case, Viñales’ departure from Aprilia could have a direct impact on Trackhouse.
If the Portuguese driver or his teammate are chosen as Martín’s partner, Justin Marks’ team will have to replace at least one of their current drivers. The obvious option, considering the rumors circulating several weeks ago, is Joe Roberts: what an American driver on an American team would accomplish.
Another potential candidate is Joan Mir. The 2020 champion is at the end of his contract with Repsol Honda and frustrated by the Japanese manufacturer’s lack of performance. At Trackhouse, he would work again with team manager Davide Brivio, with whom he made his first steps into the premier class and won his title.
In any case, Aprilia will not have the final say on the choice of Trackhouse. Earlier this month, Noale’s executive director, Massimo Rivola, clarified: “They will choose the pilots; obviously I will say what I think.”
So, the main impact of Viñales’ departure could be whether Aprilia opts for Oliveira or Fernández. If that happens, Trackhouse will have to enter the driver market, with various options available: Roberts, Mir or even Jack Miller are some possibilities, but there could be others in a year when many contracts are about to expire.
