Ferrari man Rivola joins Aprilia MotoGP team
Massimo Rivola, the head of the Ferrari Driver Academy, is leaving the Italian Formula 1 team to join the Aprilia MotoGP squad.
An Aprilia spokesperson confirmed the move to Motorsport.com, although it is not yet clear how Rivola will fit in with the Gresini-run operation's existing management structure, which is currently headed by Romano Albesiano.
Rivola, 46, has run the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2016, succeeding Luca Baldisserri in the role, and in that time he has overseen Charles Leclerc's progression to a race seat with Ferrari.
Prior to that, he was Ferrari's sporting director, which followed a spell as team manager at Toro Rosso.
Rivola's arrival at Aprilia is the latest in a series of major changes at the Noale marque as it seeks to rebound from a disappointing fourth return season in MotoGP.
Andrea Iannone has replaced Scott Redding in the team's rider line-up alongside Aleix Espargaro, who is working with a new crew chief in 2019, former Sky Racing VR46 man Antonio Jimenez.
Ex-KTM rider Bradley Smith has also been brought on board to head up Aprilia's new test team.
Bradley Smith, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images
Previous article
Espargaro to skip Jerez test due to gastritis
Next article
Petrucci leads Ducati 1-2 on first Jerez test day
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 , MotoGP |
| Author | Jamie Klein |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
