“We’re not looking for a rider,” claim MotoGP team despite debut for new talent

Despite giving a MotoGP debut to Manuel Gonzalez at the Aragon MotoGP test, Trackhouse team boss Davide Brivio insists the American-owned team is “not looking for a rider”.

IntactGP Moto2 rider Gonzalez got his first taste of MotoGP at the recent post-race test in Aragon, where he finished seventh in the Moto2 race on Sunday.

Gonzalez’s debut was able to happen thanks to the absence of Ai Ogura, who was unable to compete in Aragon as his recovery from injury continues after a practice crash at Silverstone.

Trackhouse insist Manuel Gonzalez was not on trial

Although Gonzalez had no prior links to the Trackhouse team, Brivio dismissed the idea that the test was any kind of audition for a 2026 ride at the satellite Aprilia squad, saying the test was merely a “present” for the 22-year-old, who is presently leading the Moto2 World Championship despite mistakes in the Silverstone race and in qualifying at Aragon.

“We are happy and proud,” Brivio said.

“It’s a present, there is nothing beyond this.

“We had a bike, Ai couldn’t ride unfortunately, so we decided to do something nice.

“Manu said everything was faster. He was talking about engine mapping. He used the device.

“He seems to understand well, and quickly picked up what he needs to learn.

“We’re not looking for a rider. We have Ai and Raul [Fernandez] under contract for 2026. So that’s not the purpose.

“But it’s interesting for the team to have an experience with a rookie. The team has to learn how to work with a rookie. It is useful for us.

“As Trackhouse, when we talk with [Trackhouse Racing owner] Justin Marks, he was so excited to give an opportunity.

“I think [Gonzalez] has all the characteristics to step up.”

The Italian was appreciative of the Spaniard’s performance, though, saying Gonzalez got comfortable with the RS-GP “quicker than we expected”.

“It’s nice, it’s good,” Brivio told MotoGP.com of the team’s rookie test with Manuel Gonzalez.

“It’s fun to have this experience to see a young rider for the first time on a MotoGP bike. To see the excitement, the smile.

“Actually, he got up to speed quite quickly. Quicker than we expected.

“It’s going well. He is trying to understand MotoGP.

“There are different tyres, a carbon [brake] disc. The usual things that we know.

“We’ve just been through this with Ai Ogura a few months ago.

“We had a small crash at Turn 2, it’s a classic at Aragon. But apart from that, everything is okay.

“He tried a practice start. A little bit of everything.

“This day will give him an idea of what MotoGP is, what it means to ride in MotoGP.

“Also from a physical point of view – different muscles, a different way to ride.

“You get the impression that these guys – Ai was the same, Fermin [Aldeguer] – they jump into MotoGP and it’s a bike, they know how to ride, they just need to adapt to more power, carbon discs, different tyres. These guys can do it.”