News Summary

Trackhouse has unveiled a special Gulf livery inspired by the legendary Ford GT40 for the Indonesian and Malaysian MotoGP rounds.

Ai Ogura and Raúl Fernández will race the Aprilia RS-GP26 in Gulf’s familiar light blue and orange colours at Mandalika this weekend before using the design again at Sepang from October 30 to November 1.

The livery celebrates Gulf’s 125th anniversary and draws primarily on the Ford GT40s that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969. Trackhouse has also incorporated classic racing-number graphics intended to strengthen the connection with Gulf’s motorsport history.

It is the fourth special design created by Gulf and Trackhouse since the partnership began at the start of the 2025 MotoGP season. The team’s bikes have already raced in Gulf colours at seven previous Grands Prix.

“Every time I see the Gulf livery updates on our Aprilia RS-GP26 bikes, I feel a surge of excitement,” said Trackhouse owner Justin Marks.

“I have said before that growing up with stories of the epic duels that took place back in the ’60s and ’70s at Le Mans, when the GT40s and 917s cemented Gulf’s colours as perhaps the most recognisable in motorsport history, these designs are particularly evocative for me.”

“The latest design on the Gulf Trackhouse bikes is going to bring a flavour of the past to MotoGP, while keeping us headed into the future with this great partnership, and I am sure fans across the world of racing will enjoy our latest take on an amazing legacy.”

Gulf brings Le Mans history to MotoGP

The Gulf-liveried GT40 remains one of the most recognisable racing cars in motorsport history.

John Wyer’s Ford GT40 won Le Mans in Gulf colours in both 1968 and 1969, with Pedro Rodríguez and Lucien Bianchi taking victory first before Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver repeated the achievement one year later.

The blue-and-orange identity subsequently became associated with several successful endurance programmes, including the Porsche 917 that Marks referenced when explaining the inspiration behind Trackhouse’s latest MotoGP design.

Gulf CEO Mike Jones said the anniversary offered an opportunity to combine that history with the company’s current involvement in racing.

“It is incredibly exciting to see Gulf’s 125th anniversary come to life through our partnership with the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team,” Jones said.

“As a brand, we are proud of our history, so it felt right that our motorsport heritage should be the inspiration behind our latest livery, particularly in this milestone year.”

“This truly special bike design brings these two perspectives together — I can’t wait to see it on track in Indonesia and Malaysia.”

Trackhouse also used Gulf colours at Mandalika and Sepang in 2025 after supporters selected its ‘Passion’ design through a fan vote. Fernández subsequently finished on the sprint podium in Indonesia.

The Spaniard returns this year after establishing himself as one of Aprilia’s leading performers. Trackhouse has already extended Fernández’s contract through the end of the 2028 MotoGP season.

Ogura, meanwhile, has recently returned to form after missing two rounds because of a fractured left thumb. The Japanese rider finished fourth in Austria after returning from surgery.

Both riders now arrive at a circuit where Aprilia is expected to be particularly competitive, giving Trackhouse the chance to combine its most distinctive livery of the season with a strong result.

The Indonesian GP takes place at Mandalika from October 9-11. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete coverage of the MotoGP season at the MotoGP hub.

MotoGP today: FAQ

Who leads the 2026 MotoGP championship?

Jorge Martín leads the 2026 MotoGP World Championship with 333 points, just two ahead of Marc Márquez on 331. The gap was reduced at Motegi, where Márquez won both the sprint and Japanese GP.

What time is the Indonesian MotoGP at Mandalika?

The Indonesian GP starts at 15:00 local time on Sunday, October 11. That is 08:00 in the UK, 03:00 ET in the US and Canada and 12:30 in India. Saturday’s sprint also starts at 15:00 local time.

Has Marc Márquez ever won at Mandalika?

No. Márquez has never won or even finished the Sunday MotoGP race at Mandalika. His previous Indonesian GPs have been affected by crashes, injury and mechanical trouble. He arrives in 2026 only two points behind Martín.

Why is Trackhouse using a Ford GT40-inspired MotoGP livery?

The design celebrates Gulf’s 125th anniversary and takes its primary inspiration from the Gulf-liveried Ford GT40 that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.

Which MotoGP races will use the special Trackhouse Gulf livery?

Ai Ogura and Raúl Fernández will use the design at the Indonesian GP in Mandalika and the Malaysian GP at Sepang.