Trackhouse is full of praise for Aprilia: “We’re not just a customer, but a partner”

Raúl Fernández’s victory at the recent MotoGP race at Silverstone was further proof to Trackhouse of the team’s strong progress. Team owner Justin Marks sees the close collaboration with Aprilia as a key factor in this progress. The American emphasises that Trackhouse does not wish to be treated as a traditional customer team.

Marks had already made this clear during his very first discussions with Aprilia’s racing director, Massimo Rivola. “The relationship with Aprilia is really good. When I set up this team and went to see Massimo, I explained to him right from our very first conversation what sort of relationship I wanted,” Marks said at Silverstone.

For him, it was clear from the outset that the traditional distinction between works and satellite teams should, as far as possible, be irrelevant. “I told him: I don’t want us to think in terms of factory and satellite teams. I want two teams that work together like team-mates to get four bikes into the top four for Aprilia in every race.”

Raul Fernnandez jubelte in Silverstone mit Justin Marks

Foto: Gold & Goose

For Marks, this also means that both teams should work as closely together as possible on a technical level. “That means we have the same equipment, that the engineers communicate with one another, and that there is commercial support – all those things.”

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Rivola and Marks shared the same vision

Marks found a receptive audience for this philosophy at Rivola and Aprilia. “Fortunately, it fitted in with Massimo’s way of thinking and Aprilia’s way of thinking. They understood what we wanted to achieve. They understood that this is a partnership in which we are not a customer, but a partner for mutual success.”

Marks is convinced that this collaboration has played a major part in Trackhouse now being able to win races and compete on equal terms with the Aprilia works team. He says the relationship remains excellent despite the sporting rivalry.

“After races like today’s, the Aprilia lads put their arms round our lads,” Marks explained following Fernandez’s triumph. At the same time, he knows that the situation could change should both teams be directly battling for the world title at the season finale.

Enges Zusammenspiel mit dem Werk: Davide Brivio und Massimo Rivola

Foto: Gold & Goose

“If we go to Valencia and are battling Marco or Jorge for the world championship, I don’t know what it’ll be like then,” admitted the Trackhouse boss, referring to Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín. However, this is not set to change the fundamental relationship: “On the track we’re rivals; off the track we’re partners.”

For Marks, the fact that Trackhouse now regularly features at the front is not a short-term development. From the very start of their MotoGP venture, they had followed clear principles. The focus was on building a team in which staff and riders are given the conditions to realise their full potential.

“We wanted to create a culture within the team and give everyone the tools they need to succeed,” explained Marks. This also includes the conviction that they can be competitive despite their status as a satellite team: “Yes, we’re not a factory team. But we have a great relationship with Aprilia and great riders.”

Patience has been particularly important in this regard. “It takes time. This sport is incredibly difficult and professional motor racing is extremely unpredictable. To be at a point now where we can win in this way might look as though it just happened. But the work on this began two and a half years ago.”

Success isn’t measured by results

The current success is therefore merely the most visible result of a long-term development. “That’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Marks emphasised. “We’ve approached racing in a very conscious and united way. Our approach is very much team-focused.”

Marks therefore does not set his team specific targets such as victories or a particular World Championship position. Instead, Trackhouse uses a different yardstick internally. “We talk about being relevant,” explained the team owner. “There are simply too many variables involved in winning that you can’t control. That’s why we don’t normally define our goals and key performance indicators in terms of world championships or victories.”

What matters more is the quality of their own work. The results should follow from that. Given how the season has gone so far, Marks’ interim assessment is correspondingly positive: “Success means continuing to learn and gaining ever greater confidence in the role we can play in this sport.”

Following the victory at Silverstone, he believes Trackhouse is on the right track: “If the season were to end today, it would already be a huge success.”