P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Jorge Martin says “two test riders could be good” as Miguel Oliveira considers a potential Aprilia MotoGP role for 2026.
After losing his Pramac Yamaha ride for 2026, Miguel Oliveira is now facing a pivotal moment in his career. With no available full-time MotoGP positions, the five-time race winner is contemplating switching to the WorldSBK paddock with factory BMW or Yamaha options. There is a possibility that Oliveira may stay in MotoGP, potentially taking on a test and wild-card role at Aprilia, a manufacturer he previously collaborated with as an RNF/Trackhouse rider. Reigning world champion Jorge Martin has expressed support for Oliveira potentially joining Aprilia as an additional test rider to work alongside Lorenzo Savadori as MotoGP prepares for the introduction of new 850cc machines in 2027. Martin highlighted the benefits of having two test riders sharing workload and input, contrasting it with the situation where a single rider like Savadori is solely responsible for developing the machine. Conversely, Ducati relies heavily on just one development rider (Michele Pirro), while KTM, Yamaha, and Honda have multiple factory test riders in their line-ups. Somkiat Chantra, another rider who is set to be without a MotoGP spot in 2026, is rumored to potentially join Jake Dixon in a newly formed Honda WorldSBK team.
