The Argentine Grand Prix turned into a nightmare for Aprilia, marked by a series of mishaps that left the team reeling. While Ducati dominated, placing five riders in the top positions, Aprilia faced withdrawal, crashes, injuries, and penalties that severely affected their performance.
During the race held on March 23, 2025, Jorge Martin's hopes were dashed as he withdrew due to injury. Lorenzo Savadori, stepping in as a replacement, suffered a troubling shoulder injury after a near highside incident. His injury led to an early retirement from the race, leaving his motorcycle empty on the grid.
Marco Bezzecchi's weekend was marked by a promising sixth place during the Sprint race, yet his optimism was quickly quashed after he crashed at the first corner during the main event, colliding with Fabio Quartararo's rear wheel. Although he was fortunate to escape serious injury, the crash hindered Aprilia's hopes for a better finish.
Ai Ogura provided a bright spot of potential for Aprilia. Despite starting in 15th place, he showcased skillful riding, managing to climb to eighth position by overtaking several competitors. However, his impressive effort was voided after the race when he was disqualified due to the use of unapproved electronics. The disqualification left Ogura with no points, underlining another technical failure for the team.
Raul Fernandez faced his own set of challenges. Dubbed the veteran of the RS-GP, he was unable to meet expectations in Argentina, struggling with qualifying and management of the race. After crashing into Enea Bastianini, Fernandez received a 'long lap' penalty which further affected his chances. Ultimately, he finished outside the points.
The calamity that unfolded at the 2025 Argentine Grand Prix raised serious questions about Aprilia's technical preparations and the management of their electronics. Numerous issues echoed past incidents that had plagued the team under previous riders like Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales, suggesting that the lessons from those experiences had not been fully absorbed. The Italian manufacturer, despite its evident potential, is now grappling with reliability issues that dampen its collective performance.
While on the surface the situation looks bleak, Aprilia still holds a respectable standing as the third manufacturer in the ranking, tied with KTM but positioned behind Honda. The series of mishaps certainly highlights the need for urgent internal fixes as they approach the upcoming Grand Prix of the Americas. Massimo Rivola, Aprilia's sporting director, managed to find a sliver of optimism in the aftermath. He noted, "The bike showed good performance, particularly Bezzecchi before his incident and Ogura as a promising rookie."
The challenges in Argentina provide a critical reflection point for Aprilia as they look to gather momentum moving forward. To remain competitive in MotoGP, they will need to address their technical difficulties, enhance coordination among their teams, and ensure that their riders have the support they need for the races ahead. The Grand Prix of the Americas, which occurs next weekend, will be an opportunity for Aprilia to bounce back and showcase what their talent can truly deliver.
