Aprilia Focuses on Electronics and Aerodynamics for 2026 RS-GP

With the 1000cc MotoGP era entering its final year and engine development frozen, Aprilia is concentrating on electronics and aerodynamics to maximize performance on its 2026 RS-GP. Speaking at the team’s launch on Thursday, technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini outlined the key areas of improvement. 

“Electronics have been a major focus, especially taking rider feedback into account,” Sterlacchini said. “The goal is to create a more stable, easy-to-handle bike. No matter how powerful a machine is, if it is hard to push to the limit, the rider can’t exploit it fully. That margin costs time on the track.” 

Aprilia has refined traction control for both corner entry and exit, allowing riders to brake later, accelerate more effectively, and improve lap times. “We also worked on smoother wheelie control and finding tiny gains in acceleration,” Sterlacchini added. “Everything has to be perfectly tuned for peak performance.” 

On the aerodynamic side, Aprilia aims to optimize airflow for maximum efficiency. “We want to ‘stretch the cover,’ achieving aerodynamic forces that boost performance without the usual drawbacks. Drag is not always negative — it can actually help under braking — so the goal is to get the right balance for each riding phase,” he explained. 

Sterlacchini made an immediate impact in his debut season as Aprilia’s technical director. The 2025 RS-GP won four grand prix races and three Sprint events, helping Aprilia achieve its best-ever second place in the constructors’ standings and a strong third in the riders’ championship, with Marco Bezzecchi leading the charge.