Fabiano Sterlacchini will begin his role as the technical director for Aprilia Racing next week in Malaysia, following the announcement of Romano Albesiano’s departure to Honda. Sterlacchini will initially serve in an observer capacity, preparing for a fresh competitive season with changing rider dynamics.
Fabiano Sterlacchini is set to assume his role as the technical director of Aprilia Racing, commencing next week in Malaysia. This announcement follows the earlier confirmation of his appointment, which was made public earlier this month. Sterlacchini is stepping into the position following the decision of the current technical chief, Romano Albesiano, to transition to Honda in the forthcoming season. Despite Albesiano’s impending departure, he will continue to contribute to Aprilia until the conclusion of the 2024 MotoGP season, allowing Sterlacchini to acclimate during the upcoming Malaysian event, which is the penultimate race of the year. In anticipation of his new responsibilities, Sterlacchini will participate in the Sepang event initially as an observer, gathering information and preparing strategies for future improvements. “Fabiano will be with us in Malaysia in an observer role, to take notes and start working for the future, [Albesiano] will remain in the Aprilia garage until Sunday in Valencia,” announced the team. Following Albesiano’s absence from the Thailand Grand Prix, Aprilia Racing rider Maverick Vinales noted that the team’s operations continue normally, expressing confidence in their ongoing efforts to optimize bike performance. Sterlacchini’s onboarding is particularly significant as Aprilia will undergo a substantive transformation in its rider lineup next season, welcoming current MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi from Ducati, while Vinales will transition to Tech3 KTM and Aleix Espargaro is set to join Honda as a test rider after retiring from competitive racing. Prior to joining Aprilia, Sterlacchini had a brief tenure at KTM, where he led the engineering department since June 2021. His contract with KTM will not be renewed due to the inability to reach an agreement, leading to his departure. Before his time at KTM, Sterlacchini dedicated 17 years to Ducati, culminating in his tenure as MotoGP technical director.
The article discusses the recent appointment of Fabiano Sterlacchini as the new technical director for Aprilia Racing. His inaugural appearance with the team is scheduled for the MotoGP event in Malaysia, following the announcement of his role after the decision of Romano Albesiano to leave Aprilia for Honda. The transition marks a significant shift in the technical leadership of the team, which is preparing for a new competitive season with a revamped rider lineup.
In summary, Fabiano Sterlacchini will join Aprilia Racing as the technical director, starting his role in Malaysia. With the departure of Romano Albesiano, Sterlacchini’s arrival signals a new chapter for Aprilia as they prepare for significant changes in their rider lineup next season. The team remains focused on optimizing performance as they navigate this transitional period.
Original Source: www.autosport.com