Fabiano Sterlacchini to Commence Role as Aprilia Technical Director in Malaysia

Fabiano Sterlacchini will commence his tenure as technical director of Aprilia Racing in Malaysia, succeeding Romano Albesiano, who is transitioning to Honda. Sterlacchini’s role begins during the 2024 MotoGP penultimate round, paving the way for a new team lineup including Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi next season.

Fabiano Sterlacchini is poised to assume his role as the technical director of Aprilia Racing in Malaysia, following his departure from KTM. His official introduction to the team will occur at the penultimate round of the 2024 MotoGP season in Sepang. Aprilia Racing announced Sterlacchini’s appointment earlier this month, succeeding current technical chief Romano Albesiano, who will transition to Honda for the upcoming season. During this transitional period, Albesiano will remain with Aprilia until the conclusion of the 2024 MotoGP, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities. Aprilia Racing communicated that Sterlacchini will be present in Malaysia in an observational capacity, allowing him to familiarize himself with the team dynamics and ongoing projects in preparation for the final race in Valencia. Despite Albesiano’s absence from the Thailand Grand Prix, rider Maverick Vinales remarked on the continuity within the team, emphasizing that operations will remain consistent. Vinales stated, “The truth is that I haven’t noticed anything strange. We are always looking for every last screw to make the bike work at 120 percent.” Sterlacchini’s arrival is anticipated to herald a new chapter for Aprilia, coinciding with the addition of an entirely new rider lineup. Next season will see the inclusion of Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, both distinguished riders transitioning from Ducati, with Vinales moving to Tech3 KTM and Aleix Espargaro taking on a testing role at Honda following his retirement from racing. Having joined KTM in June 2021 to spearhead the engineering department, Sterlacchini’s tenure concluded due to an inability to reach a contract renewal agreement. His previous experience at Ducati, where he dedicated 17 years and eventually ascended to the title of MotoGP technical director, positions him as a significant asset for Aprilia Racing.

This article discusses the transition of Fabiano Sterlacchini to the role of technical director at Aprilia Racing, following his exit from KTM. The context includes the planned departure of current technical chief Romano Albesiano to Honda, the implications for Aprilia’s racing team and its strategy for the upcoming seasons, as well as the new team lineup changes that will take place.

In summary, Fabiano Sterlacchini’s forthcoming role as the technical director at Aprilia Racing marks a significant shift for the team as it prepares for the 2024 MotoGP season. With the involvement of new talent and the strategic transition of leadership, Aprilia sets the stage for a potentially transformative season ahead, with Sterlacchini’s extensive experience promising to bolster the team’s performance.

Original Source: www.autosport.com