Despite numerous reports suggesting a potential move to Honda, it is now confirmed that Davide Brivio has committed to the newly formed Trackhouse team for the upcoming season. This decision comes after Trackhouse acquired the entry previously held by RNF and CryptoDATA.
Brivio will be taking over from PJ Rashidi, who was originally appointed as the director of the American outfit.
Brivio’s transition to Trackhouse follows a successful three-year tenure at Alpine, where he held various positions. Initially joining as the racing director of the Formula 1 team under the leadership of CEO Luca de Meo, Brivio spent the last year and a half overseeing the young driver program.
His departure from Alpine was announced at the end of the previous year.
The 59-year-old is renowned for leading Suzuki to its first premier class title in two decades, with Joan Mir clinching the championship in 2020 during Brivio’s tenure. His move from Suzuki to Formula 1 with Alpine came as a significant surprise to the motorsport community and Suzuki alike.
Brivio’s arrival at Trackhouse in 2024 is expected to bolster efforts to support Aprilia in the development and advancement of the RS-GP. Justin Marks’ team has secured two 2024-spec bikes for Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, who are both retaining their positions with the satellite outfit amidst the transition from RNF to Trackhouse.
Oliveira is already testing the same bike alongside factory riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales at the Sepang pre-season test.
As for Fernandez, it’s anticipated that he will begin the season with the 2023 bike, transitioning to the new chassis (while retaining the same engine per regulations) around the in-season test at Jerez, which is the fourth stop on the calendar.
The influence of Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola played a pivotal role in the recruitment of Brivio, who boasts an impressive track record in MotoGP with Yamaha and Suzuki.
Rivola’s involvement was instrumental in Yamaha’s 2004 signing of Valentino Rossi, who had just secured three consecutive titles with Honda at the time. Furthermore, Brivio was responsible for signing Jorge Lorenzo even before the Spaniard clinched back-to-back 250cc titles in 2006-07.
Subsequently, Suzuki enlisted Brivio to lead their return to the world championship in 2015, further solidifying his reputation as a key figure in the world of motorsport.