Aprilia announces ex-Ferrari F1 man Rivola's 2019 MotoGP start date
Aprilia has officially announced that former Ferrari Formula 1 man Massimo Rivola will join its MotoGP project as racing department CEO from January 7 2019
The move, predicted by Autosport last month, is part of a range of changes Aprilia is making as it tries to make progress with its MotoGP programme after a tough 2018 season.
Autosport understands that Rivola's arrival is to augment Aprilia's existing MotoGP management structure rather than to replace any current personnel.
Rivola's most recent role at Ferrari has been as head of its Driver Academy development scheme for young talent, where he has overseen Charles Leclerc's move into F1 with Sauber and promotion to the works team in place of Kimi Raikkonen.
He has spent 21 seasons in F1, working for Minardi/Toro Rosso before joining Ferrari.
An Aprilia statement said "the appointment of Rivola, who brings to MotoGP the vast experience accumulated in Formula 1, is another important step in the path of consolidating the Noale [where Aprilia is based] racing department and conformation of the Piaggio Group's commitment to growing the MotoGP project".
Aprilia has finished at the foot of the manufacturers' championship in all three seasons of its current factory MotoGP project so far, and has not taken a podium in that time.
It has revamped its line-up for 2019 by replacing Scott Redding with race-winning former factory Ducati and Suzuki rider Andrea Iannone, and has also brought in ex-KTM racer Bradley Smith to head up an enhanced testing effort.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments