News Summary
- Aprilia is considering team orders as Martín battles Márquez for the championship.
- Trackhouse riders Raúl Fernández and Ai Ogura finished second and fourth in Indonesia.
- The manufacturer’s potential strategy raises questions about the role of its independent team.
Trackhouse has emerged as a potentially decisive factor in Aprilia’s fight against Marc Márquez for the 2026 MotoGP championship, with Raúl Fernández and Ai Ogura demonstrating that they can influence the outcome of the title battle between Jorge Martín and the Ducati rider.
The American team played a major role in Aprilia’s historic 1-2-3-4 finish at the Indonesian Grand Prix, with Fernández finishing second and Ogura fourth. Factory riders Marco Bezzecchi and Martín completed the podium positions in first and third respectively.
Despite occupying all four leading positions, Aprilia failed to increase Martín’s championship advantage. The Spaniard left Mandalika with 355 points, just two ahead of Márquez, while Bezzecchi remained third in the standings.
The result came as Aprilia technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini acknowledged that the manufacturer was discussing guidelines for its riders, with the possibility of introducing team orders during the closing stages of the championship.
Trackhouse riders could influence the championship
Fernández and Ogura have shown that the RS-GP26 can challenge for victories outside the factory operation.
Fernández has already won a grand prix this season, taking victory at Silverstone, while Ogura’s performance at Mandalika further demonstrated the competitiveness of Aprilia’s satellite machinery.
Their speed creates an unusual situation for Martín. On weekends when the RS-GP is the strongest motorcycle, the championship leader may have to fight several riders using the same manufacturer’s equipment before he can maximise his points advantage over Márquez.
Indonesia provided a clear example. Fernández finished ahead of Martín, taking 20 points for second place while the factory rider collected 16 for third.
Those four points could become important in a championship separated by only two points.
However, Trackhouse operates as an independent team with its own sporting objectives, meaning any manufacturer-wide strategy would involve interests beyond Aprilia’s factory garage.
Aprilia must balance factory and satellite interests
The possibility of team orders became more prominent after Bezzecchi and Fernández collided during the Indonesian sprint, eliminating both riders from contention.
Márquez subsequently won the sprint, temporarily moving ahead of Martín in the championship.
The following day’s race produced a very different outcome, but the title situation remained almost unchanged.
With five rounds remaining, Aprilia must consider how to prevent unnecessary incidents while allowing its riders to pursue individual results.
No confirmed instruction requiring Trackhouse riders to surrender positions to Martín has been announced. The manufacturer’s discussions remain focused on possible guidelines and the circumstances in which more restrictive measures could become necessary.
Fernández and Ogura have their own objectives
Trackhouse’s position is complicated by the individual ambitions of its riders.
Fernández has established himself as a race winner and is competing for further victories, while Ogura continues to build his reputation in the premier class.
Their performances have also contributed to Aprilia’s progress in the manufacturers’ championship, where the Italian company has overtaken Ducati following the Indonesian Grand Prix.
The question of how those priorities would interact with Martín’s title campaign remains unresolved.
The next round takes place at Phillip Island, where the championship fight between Martín and Márquez will continue with the Trackhouse riders potentially competing near the front once again.
