Aprilia’s Challenges at the Malaysian Grand Prix: A Look into Their Performance

Aprilia faced a challenging day at the Malaysian Grand Prix, just days after celebrating a significant victory in Australia. The practice sessions at Sepang were marked by unpredictable weather, which included a brief rain shower that led to slippery conditions on the track. As a result, the fastest RS-GP motorcycle from Aprilia finished in 14th place, lagging over seven-tenths of a second behind the pace set by KTM’s Pedro Acosta.

Weather’s Impact on Performance

The variable weather conditions were a significant factor affecting all four Aprilia bikes, resulting in their relegation to the first qualifying session (Q1). Even before the rain came, the Noale-based team was struggling to find their rhythm. Marco Bezzecchi, the factory rider, was in fifth place at one point, trailing the leader Fermin Aldeguer by more than three-tenths of a second. However, with just 15 minutes left in the session, all riders were called back to the pit lane due to worsening conditions.

In the first practice session (FP1), which occurred on a dry track, only one of the Aprilia bikes managed to secure a position in the top 10. Bezzecchi was facing a more significant challenge, with a deficit of four-tenths of a second compared to the front-runners. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez, who recently won the Australian Grand Prix, started his weekend in a subdued manner on the Trackhouse bike, finishing 19th in FP1 but improving slightly to 16th in the later session.

The Spaniard struggled to extract optimal performance from the rear tire at Sepang, a problem that was also evident in his performance in 2024. Unlike many of his competitors, Fernandez had limited experience on the Sepang circuit with the current machinery. An early crash during pre-season testing had sidelined him for the remainder of the test, leaving him with less familiarity on the track.

Performance Challenges

Reflecting on his difficulties, Fernandez noted, "I feel that we had almost the same problem as last year: We cannot use the rear tire well, which means we cannot be really fast. We also experienced significant tire drop-off, which doesn’t help for the race."

One silver lining for Fernandez was that his fellow Aprilia riders were facing similar issues. He acknowledged the team’s challenges, stating, "It’s not an easy job for tomorrow for all the Aprilia boys, but I still believe they can find a solution. It’s quite strange for me because I’ve been quite competitive in the last three races, but right now, I’m not riding the bike the way I want, which indicates we aren’t truly competitive."

Bezzecchi’s Struggles

Marco Bezzecchi’s challenges were not solely due to the rear tire; he also struggled with managing throttle application and maintaining traction as he exited corners. "It’s not been the best Friday, but we still have some issues to solve," he explained. "We made some improvements compared to the morning session, but it felt like a smaller step compared to the others."

He elaborated on his difficulties: "I was struggling a bit with the rear tire, but that’s normal here at this track. The main issue was finding the best way to apply power effectively. If we can make some improvements in our riding style and bike setup, I believe the tires will perform better throughout the race."

The Sepang circuit is notoriously tough on tires, and the rain exacerbated the situation, washing away much of the track’s grip. Bezzecchi commented on the performance drop, stating, "The drop in performance was quite significant today. The conditions were peculiar compared to previous visits. I had a considerable drop in grip, which means we’ll need to manage our tires carefully during the race."

Low Grip Levels

Ai Ogura also pointed to the low grip levels and inadequate power delivery as key factors contributing to Aprilia’s challenging day at Sepang. "I struggled to achieve good acceleration in most corners, making it difficult to maintain speed," he remarked. "The grip level was extremely low, particularly at the edges of the tires, which affected several of us on the Aprilia team."

The Battle for Q1

As the Aprilia quartet prepared for the first qualifying session, they faced stiff competition from notable riders, including factory Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia and Gresini’s rising star Fermin Aldeguer. Bezzecchi acknowledged the uphill battle they faced: "It’s always incredibly challenging to advance from Q1 to Q2. It will be tough as usual, but if we can make a significant improvement, we might have a chance."

When asked about the potential of Aprilia if they could make significant strides overnight, he replied, "I have no idea. Hopefully, it will be much more than what we achieved today."

Improving for Tomorrow

Despite the challenges faced by Aprilia, the team remains optimistic about finding solutions to enhance their performance. The combination of weather effects and tire management issues has created a complex situation that the riders and their crew must navigate carefully as they prepare for the race ahead.

Future Expectations

With the race weekend still in progress, there is hope that the Aprilia team can adjust their strategies and improve their performance. The experiences from practice sessions provide valuable insights that can lead to better setups and riding styles. Both Bezzecchi and Fernandez expressed their commitment to working hard to overcome the hurdles they currently face.

The team’s ability to adapt and learn from their experiences over the weekend will be crucial. As they analyze data and feedback from the practice sessions, there is potential for substantial improvements that could position them more competitively for the race.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by Aprilia at the Malaysian Grand Prix serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of motorsport. With changing weather conditions and complex tire dynamics, the team must work collaboratively to address the issues and enhance their performance. As they move forward, the lessons learned during this challenging day will be invaluable in shaping their approach for the remainder of the race weekend. The determination and resilience of the riders and their team will play a vital role in their quest for success at Sepang.