After sweeping Indonesia's top four, Aprilia began discussing manufacturer-level guidance to reduce internal losses. Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini told Motorsport.com in its October 12 interview that riders remained free to race, with no timing decided for change.
No orders or implementation deadline confirmed
Sterlacchini reiterated CEO Massimo Rivola's fully open competition position while saying management had begun guidelines discussions. Many points remain, and current freedom gives confidence, but he cannot say how long it lasts.
After Indonesia, Martín has 355, two ahead of Marc Márquez; Bezzecchi is third on 309, 46 behind with five rounds left. Aprilia must protect a narrow lead and retain opportunity for another contender.
Communication follows the Sprint collision
Mandalika showed both sides of multiple same-manufacturer bikes. Bezzecchi and Trackhouse's Fernández collided and retired on Sprint lap one, then finished first and second Sunday, followed by Martín and Ogura for four Aprilias at the front.
Fernández criticized Bezzecchi afterward. Sterlacchini said he and Rivola organized pre-race Sunday discussion to clarify matters. He felt tension often came from misunderstanding and the meeting helped, while acknowledging clear roles and risks cannot prevent all accidents.
INKA SPORTS analysis: Reduce internal losses or define title priority?
Risk control in close racing protects multiple scores; asking one rider to yield directly alters title interests. Saturday's double retirement makes communication relevant, while Bezzecchi winning and Martín third shows freedom distributes points differently between contenders.
A two-point lead makes losses sensitive, but Bezzecchi remains in contention. A fixed hierarchy now might not fit later standings. Guidelines discussions with continued freedom preserve management options at the cost of riders handling risk in competition.
Conclusion
Aprilia has put internal losses on the agenda without announced yielding rules or one designated title rider. Future standings should be matched with any explicit scope and conditions, including factory and Trackhouse. Later races must establish whether communication reduces conflict.
