Aprilia’s racing boss Romano Albesiano has said the factory MotoGP team could begin to use the 2016 electronics package this season in order to make a start on testing for the big switch over.
From the beginning of next season, all bikes must use the control Magneti Marelli software which is currently being developed with manufacturer input and a base has already been delivered to teams and Albesiano said that Aprilia could race with it after July.
He said that although going into MotoGP is expensive, it is required to make the most of new technologies that can be passed down to the RSV4 roadbike and subsequent models.
“The main focus is to develop technologies. We need to be realistic, we can’t expect big results this year but also we don’t want to be last. You need to be somewhere and fight with good guys and to check your level. You need to stress the people, stress the parts and to grow quicker than in any other way,” said Albesiano, speaking in Milan.
“It is very important for us because we are doing all the Michelin test so we are collecting information for the new bike. Many tests are planned and we have already done two. This is the best way to collect information about the new tyres and follow the development because the tyres we are testing now will be different from those we are using next year.
“On the electronics side, we are discussing with other manufacturers the development and we may race one bike with the new electronics this season, why not? That could be a strategy, or our customers team Ioda could race the Marelli software.
“We know it takes three years to be competitive in MotoGP, so we have to start now. If we start next year, it is three years plus one and I will be close to retirement! We needed to speed up the process.
“Marelli delivered software at Sepang II which is the base for next year. From this, manufacturers will add some suggestions for changes, this will build the new software for next year and from July 1 everyone can do this. We can submit code for it. We cannot change the situation so we accept it.”
