Trackhouse Racing MotoGP Reveals Main Reason Behind Ai Ogura Signing For 2025

Saajan Jogia | Aug 16, 2024

Apr 12, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Raul Fernandez (25) of Spain and Trackhouse Racing during practice for the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

As MotoGP gears up for the Austrian Grand Prix, Trackhouse Racing's recent signing of Moto2 rider Ai Ogura has been generating significant excitement. Team principal Davide Brivio shared insights into the decision, highlighting Ogura's potential and the strategic reasons behind bringing the talented Japanese rider on board for 2025.

The HRC rider, who has been a consistent presence under the Honda banner for nearly nine years—starting from the Asia Talent Cup in 2015 to his current Moto2 stint with MT Helmets – MSI, Ogura will make a significant shift in 2025 with a move away from Honda to join Aprilia, where he will race alongside Raul Fernandez.

Brivio emphasized that the team's strong perception of Ai Ogura's potential was a key factor in their decision to sign the 23-year-old Japanese rider, not to forget his sideways corner approach, which also impressed the team principal. Speaking to MotoGP.com, he said:

“We think he is a great talent, and I think he is one of the most talented riders in Moto2.

“We think it’s the right time for him to move to MotoGP.

“We think his riding style is interesting looking at the MotoGP.

“But we will see when he goes on the [MotoGP] bike. You have to take this decision based more on feeling, on judgments. But we really think he has a good potential to be a good MotoGP rider.”

Brivio addressed the team's 2025 lineup, after confirming Fernandez's presence in the team over the summer break. He also added Trackhouse Racing's plans for its riders and how it intends to retain them in a healthy and competitive environment. He explained:

“Having confirmed Raul, 24-years-old, we wanted to kind of refresh the project [with the second rider] and have another young rider with him trying to build up something.

“We’re working on a project, trying to build up a team, a legacy, so it’s an opportunity to refresh the project, and look forward to the future, hopefully.”

He added:

“To be honest, we hope to keep the riders for our team, not to make them step up to a factory team.

“I know that’s a big challenge, we all know, we are very much aware. But, as I said, we are building a project with Trackhouse.

“This is the first year for Trackhouse, we always say it’s a kind of ‘learning year’, we have to make experience, to make Trackhouse understand the MotoGP, and then the next two years will be two years where we try to grow up and to create a good base as a team.

“So, that’s why I think it makes sense: two young riders, the team has to grow up, learn, improve, so all together the project is going forward.

“Then, I think if we are able to create a great team, a good atmosphere, maybe we make the riders happy to stay.”

Discussing Ogura's signing, Brivio revealed that the decision was driven by his strong performance in Moto2, despite not yet having been tested on a MotoGP bike. The team's decision was carefully considered, with multiple team members evaluating various parameters before reaching a consensus. He said:

“It’s just an idea, as I said.

“It’s all theory here, okay? Because of course we didn’t see him on [a MotoGP] bike, but we can see that it’s quite close to what is required to be in MotoGP.

“This doesn’t come from me, it comes also from— we have people looking. We put everything in perspective, his talent, his young age, the potential of his riding style, and we decided to invest in him.”