Trackhouse Rules Out Aprilia Team Orders

Raúl Fernández has confirmed that the Trackhouse Racing team will not issue team orders to support Aprilia’s championship push just yet. The Spanish rider made it clear that both he and teammate Ai Ogura remain free to fight for race victories as the season heads into its final stretch.

With just six rounds remaining in 2026, the battle at the top of the standings could hardly be closer. Jorge Martín leads the world championship on his factory Aprilia by just two points over Ducati’s Marc Marquez.

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What are team orders in MotoGP?

Team orders happen when team management instructs one rider to help another. This usually means asking a rider to pull over, yield a position, or avoid overtaking a title contender to ensure maximum points are secured for the championship.

Unlike Formula 1, where team orders are common and radio communication is constant, MotoGP riders do not have two-way radios with their garage. Teams can only send messages using a MotoGP pit board held out over the pit wall or body movements; dashboard display signals are reserved exclusively for the Championship Organiser.

Trackhouse Racing operates as an independent satellite squad with close factory support from Aprilia. To understand how that relationship works between main and customer teams, read our guide to factory and independent MotoGP teams.

Why is Trackhouse letting its riders race?

Fernández explained that as an ambitious young team, winning races remains Trackhouse’s primary target. Both Fernández and Ogura have proven their pace this season, each taking a Grand Prix victory. Ogura won at Assen in the Netherlands, while Fernández claimed top honours at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Fernández noted that until the final one or two rounds of the 22-race championship, personal results come first. If a Trackhouse rider finds themselves leading a race, they will not simply move aside to let Martín collect extra points.

However, Fernández did acknowledge that the situation could change if the championship reaches the final rounds in Portugal and Valencia with everything on the line. At that stage, manufacturer discussions may take place.

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How close is the 2026 title fight?

The battle at the summit of the championship is intensely balanced. Martín holds 333 points following the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, while reigning world champion Marc Marquez sits just two points behind on 331.

Martín’s factory teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, is third on 284 points. Meanwhile, Trackhouse’s Ogura is fifth on 237 points and Fernández sits seventh with 216 points.

Because race winners earn 25 points on Sunday and 12 points in Saturday’s shortened contest, every single position matters. If you are new to how the scoring works, our guide explains how points are awarded in MotoGP. If a Trackhouse bike finishes ahead of a factory Ducati, it helps Aprilia; but if a Trackhouse bike takes points away from Martín, it could decide the entire championship.

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What happens next?

The paddock now heads straight to the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit for the Indonesian Grand Prix. Trackhouse arrives with plenty of attention, also running a special retro light-blue and orange livery to mark Gulf’s 125th anniversary.

For now, the instructions on the track are entirely straightforward. Aprilia has not forced its satellite team to play a supporting role, meaning every rider on an RS-GP motorcycle will race purely for the best possible result.

Quick Takeaways

• Raúl Fernández confirmed that Trackhouse Racing has not imposed team orders to assist Jorge Martín’s title bid.
• Both Trackhouse riders, Fernández and Ai Ogura, remain permitted to challenge for race victories.
• Jorge Martín leads Marc Marquez by only two points at the top of the championship standings.
• Fernández suggested manufacturer tactics might only be reconsidered in the final two rounds of the season.
• Trackhouse and Aprilia head straight into Round 17 at Mandalika in Indonesia.