Electric Cars

Aprilia is actively pursuing Miguel Oliveira for a MotoGP test rider position for the 2026 season. This interest comes even as Oliveira prepares to join BMW's World Superbike Championship team. The success of this potential dual role hinges on obtaining approval from BMW, highlighting the complex negotiations in professional motorsport.

Aprilia's Pursuit of Oliveira for a Dual Role in MotoGP and WSBK

In a significant development for the 2026 racing season, Aprilia has expressed strong interest in enlisting Miguel Oliveira as a test rider for their MotoGP program. This initiative comes at a crucial time for Aprilia, which has experienced a shortage of test riders due to injuries sustained by Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura, necessitating Lorenzo Savadori's increased participation in races. Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, confirmed the team's keenness in Indonesia, stating, \"If you want to ask me about Miguel Oliveira, if there is a chance, we will take a chance.\"

Oliveira, a Portuguese rider, recently committed to a factory rider role with BMW in the World Superbike Championship, partnering with fellow ex-MotoGP competitor Danilo Petrucci. Despite this new commitment, Oliveira had previously been offered a test role with Aprilia to aid in the development of their RS-GP motorcycle. He chose the WSBK opportunity driven by a strong desire to compete. However, the possibility of a dual role, allowing him to race in WSBK while contributing to MotoGP testing, remains a topic of discussion.

Rivola acknowledged the potential complexities of Oliveira representing two rival manufacturers simultaneously, noting, \"Since he signed with BMW, we need to ask BMW first. From our side, [we would be happy], we will see.\" Oliveira himself has shown openness to this arrangement since his BMW contract was announced last month. He emphasized, \"For sure, it would be something to see with BMW first. The priority would be to race, of course, but in terms of how things could actually be done in terms of calendar, because I would also understand that Aprilia wants to take full advantage of having me testing their bike and not just jumping on the bike sometimes in my free time.\" This indicates a need for careful scheduling and mutual agreement among all parties involved.

Oliveira brings valuable experience to the table, having previously raced for Aprilia's satellite teams, RNF Racing and Trackhouse, from 2023 to 2024. This familiarity with Aprilia's machinery and team dynamics could prove beneficial for their development efforts. Reflecting on past decisions, Oliveira reiterated his lack of regret for turning down a one-year offer from Honda two years prior, a move that would have seen him replace Marc Marquez. He stated that breaking an existing contract with Aprilia for a short-term deal with Honda was not in his character, as he preferred a more stable, two-year commitment, which Honda did not offer at the time. This principled stance highlights his commitment to contractual obligations and long-term partnerships.

This situation underscores the evolving landscape of professional motorcycle racing, where rider talent is highly sought after across different series. The potential for a rider to maintain a competitive presence in one championship while contributing to the technical development of another could offer new avenues for career progression and team synergy. For Aprilia, securing Oliveira could provide much-needed expertise and support for their MotoGP program, especially given the current challenges with test rider availability.

The second Super Formula race at Fuji Speedway on Sunday was unfortunately called off due to heavy fog, significantly impacting the event. This cancellation follows a previous race on Saturday that was cut short because of persistent rain, creating a challenging weekend for participants and organizers alike. The dense fog severely reduced visibility, making it impossible for the race to proceed safely.

The decision to abandon the tenth round of the season was made around 3:35 PM local time. Conditions at the Toyota-owned venue deteriorated rapidly just before the reconnaissance laps were scheduled to begin, leaving officials with no choice but to cancel. This weather-related disruption has brought attention to the logistical challenges of motorsport events and their reliance on favorable conditions.

JRP President Yoshihisa Ueno addressed the media following the cancellation, indicating that discussions are underway to explore the possibility of a replacement race. Potential venues for a rescheduled event include Fuji Speedway itself or Suzuka, which is already slated to host the final double-header on November 22-23. The ability to find an alternative date and location will be crucial for maintaining the integrity of the championship.

Despite the race cancellation, qualifying sessions for Sunday's event did take place earlier in the morning under mostly dry conditions, albeit with some damp patches. Tadasuke Makino of Dandelion Racing clinched his second pole position of the season, showcasing his skill even in tricky circumstances. He narrowly edged out Igor Fraga from Nakajima Racing by a mere 0.076 seconds. Makino's strong performance in practice on Friday had hinted at his potential.

Kakunoshin Ohta, driving the second Dandelion car, secured third place in qualifying, earning a bonus point that brings him level with Ayumu Iwasa in the championship standings. Ohta currently holds an advantage over Iwasa on countback, having secured three victories this season compared to Iwasa's single win. Championship leader Sho Tsuboi of TOM’S qualified seventh but still maintains a comfortable 14.5-point lead over Ohta and Iwasa.

Makino's three bonus points for pole position mean he now faces a 23.5-point deficit to Tsuboi in the championship race. Tomoki Nojiri of Mugen, who qualified fourth without securing any bonus points, remains the only other driver in mathematical contention for the championship if a replacement race is not held. Meanwhile, Saturday's race winner, Sacha Fenestraz of TOM’S, would have started from 18th place due to an incident in Q1, and Zak O’Sullivan faced an even more challenging start from last position after an issue with his Kondo Racing car prevented him from participating in Q1.

The Super Formula race at Fuji Speedway was called off due to dense fog, leading to discussions about a potential rescheduled event. This decision, made after an earlier race was shortened by rain, significantly impacts the championship, with Tadasuke Makino on pole and Sho Tsuboi maintaining a lead despite a challenging qualifying session for some key contenders.