FERNANDEZ WOULD FOLLOW APRILIA TEAM ORDERS, HIS AGENT SAYS

Team orders are back under discussion at Aprilia after Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi collided on the opening lap of the Indonesian Grand Prix Sprint, ending both riders’ races. Fernandez had taken pole from Bezzecchi at Mandalika after setting a track record in Friday practice. He later criticised the factory rider publicly, saying Bezzecchi had not raced him in a gentlemanly manner.

The incident renewed questions about whether Aprilia should restrict its riders’ on-track battles as it pursues the 2026 title. The team has so far allowed them to race freely, despite earlier friction between its factory and Trackhouse operations. In Barcelona, Jorge Martin called for team orders after Fernandez took him out of the race. Aprilia brought Fernandez and Bezzecchi together after the Mandalika crash, and both apologised to the team. Technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini subsequently said Aprilia would need to consider the issue in the coming races.

Fernandez’s agent, Paco Sanchez, told AS that team orders had not been discussed with Aprilia. “We hadn’t discussed it. Just that they should respect one another,” he said. Sanchez nevertheless expects instructions could become necessary as the championship reaches its decisive stage. He said any such orders would need to be agreed in advance, adding: “And if they are, Raul will comply with them without any problem.”

The title stakes are significant: Martin is two points ahead of Marc Marquez, while Bezzecchi trails Martin by 46 points. Aprilia must now weigh its riders’ freedom to compete against the potential need to protect its championship ambitions.