APRILIA FINDS LEGAL AERO F1-STYLE TRICK IN MOTOGP
Aprilia has come up with a clever new idea in MotoGP that gives it some of the benefits of active aerodynamics, even though moving aero parts are not allowed under the rules.
In MotoGP, any wing or bodywork on the bike must stay fixed. Teams are not allowed to use systems that move or adjust while riding. Some road bikes already have these features, but in grand prix racing they are banned. However, Aprilia found a smart way around this without breaking the rules.
Instead of moving a wing, it changes how the air flows over the bike. The team added a small vent on top of the side fairing. When the rider tucks in on a straight, their forearms naturally cover this opening. By blocking the vent, the rider changes the airflow and reduces drag. That helps the bike go faster on long straights.
This matters because Aprilia’s RS-GP uses strong “ground effect” aerodynamics. Ground effect helps the bike grip the track better in corners and under braking, making it very strong in turning and corner speed. Riders like Marco Bezzecchi have benefited from this strength.
But there is a downside. The same aerodynamic design that helps in corners also creates extra drag, which can hurt top speed.
The new system allows the rider to “switch off” some of that drag on the straight, simply by tucking in and covering the vent with their arms. Nothing on the bike moves. There are no linkages or mechanical devices. The rider’s body acts as the switch.
The idea is similar to Formula 1’s famous F-duct used by McLaren in 2010. That system allowed drivers to block a hole with their hand to change airflow and reduce drag. It was later banned for safety reasons.
Aprilia’s solution works in a similar way but is built into the rider’s normal riding position, which makes it less likely to be banned.
With MotoGP’s current rules ending in 2027 and only one aero update allowed per season, Aprilia may be able to benefit from this smart loophole for some time.
Share this content:
