Miguel Oliveira struggles with the new Aprilia during winter testing – Turning problems cause major concerns – Trackhouse only finds a solution on the last day of testing
Miguel Oliveira has had a difficult winter test. In the new Trackhouse team, the Portuguese rider rides the same Aprilia RS-GP as the factory team. But his transition from the 2022 model to the new one with extreme aerodynamics has not been easy
Oliveira was one of the slowest riders over the three days in Malaysia. On the final day of testing in Sepang, he was 1.3 seconds behind. At the Lusail Circuit, his problems had an even greater impact. He was two seconds behind on the first day.
“It didn’t start well. I wasn’t fast and didn’t have good pace. Because the bike doesn’t turn, I lost a lot in the fast corners. It was the same as in Sepang,” said the Portuguese rider, explaining the reasons for his problems.
“I’m also sure that it’s not just down to the bike. Half of it has to come from me. But we have to find a way to meet in the middle. I have no turning. We have to find that quickly, because otherwise it will be very difficult.”
“It’s a combination of engine braking with trail braking. In the sliding phase, pressure is exerted on the front wheel. That creates instability. In a fraction of a second, you decide whether to enter the corner or miss the apex.”
“The turning of this bike is actually very good, but you have to be in the right position at the entrance to the corner. We need to solve this problem without compromising the other aspects, which are working quite well.”
After the first day of testing in Qatar, Oliveira was worried about whether they would be able to solve the problems, as there was only one day left. But the good news was that the Trackhouse mechanics, with the support of Aprilia, were able to make the right changes
The focus was on the geometry and the basic set-up. “Yes, it’s a bit frustrating. It was actually simple things that had to be changed,” says Oliveira and confirms after the last day of testing: “Now I have a much better feeling.”
“It was a better day. I’m not completely satisfied yet, but at least we’ve made good progress. It’s a shame that we only found the good feeling so late. The qualifying attempt was then more or less okay.”
“The position is not that exciting now, but twelfth place is better than 21st.” Oliveira made a significant leap forward and finished the winter tests just nine tenths of a second behind.
However, he was still some way off Maverick Vinales and especially Aleix Espargaro. “I haven’t gotten the best out of the bike yet. If you have a good bike, you can still find something every day.”
“I built up a good speed, then we had a problem with a bike that cost us some time.” But at least Oliveira was happy that a basis had been found for him, which he can now build on and work on his speed
