Aprilia is interested in bolstering its MotoGP test line-up with Miguel Oliveira next year, but says such a move would require the blessing of his new employer BMW.
After losing his Pramac MotoGP seat for 2026, Oliveira accepted an offer from the German manufacturer to join its World Superbike Championship squad as a factory rider, teaming up with fellow ex-MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci.
The Portuguese was also offered a test role with Aprilia to help develop its RS-GP, but a “desire to compete” led him to choose WSBK
Nevertheless, the Noale-based marque remains interested in his services for 2026 and would like to sign him if BMW allows a dual role.
With Jorge Martin sidelined for much of 2025 due to injuries, and Lorenzo Savadori stepping in at 10 races, Aprilia has faced a shortage of test riders this season. Ai Ogura has also been absent from the last two rounds due to a hand injury.
“I would prefer to have a bit more luck in crashes, but if these are the statistics maybe we need some more [riders],” Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said in Indonesia. “This year, Sava did some tests but he was racing [most of the time].
“If you want to ask me about Miguel Oliveira, if there is a chance, we will take a chance. So far, I don’t know.”
Asked whether Oliveira representing two rival motorcycle brands could cause issues, Rivola added: “Since he signed with BMW, we need to ask BMW first. From our side, [we would be happy], we will see.”
Massimo Rivola, Team principal Aprilia Racing
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz
Oliveira has been open to combining his racing commitments in WSBK with a test role in MotoGP ever since his contract with BMW was announced last month.
Moreover, the 30-year-old already has prior experience of working with Aprilia, having raced for its satellite team RNF Racing/Trackhouse between 2023-24.
When told Rivola was open to hiring him next year, Oliveira reiterated that he remained interested in the opportunity if all parties could reach an agreement.
“Yeah, for me, it’s an option,” he said. “For sure, it would be something to see with BMW first.
“The priority would be to race, of course, but in terms of how things could actually be done in terms of calendar, because I would also understand that Aprilia wants to take full advantage of having me testing their bike and not just jumping on the bike sometimes in my free time.
“So, it’s not easy to come up with a schedule that fits everyone.”
No regrets over missed Honda chance
After Marc Marquez announced his decision to leave Honda with a year left on his contract at the end of 2023, one of the first riders it approached to fill the vacancy was Oliveira.
However, with Oliveira already contracted to Trackhouse for 2024 and Honda only willing to offer him a one-year deal, he chose to remain with the American team.
Then-VR46 rider Luca Marini eventually accepted the one-year contract initially offered to Oliveira, and has benefitted from the Sakura-based marque’s recent upswing in performance.
Asked if he had any regrets about turning down Honda’s offer two years ago, Oliveira said:
“No, I don’t feel that [way].
“Two years ago when I was offered the HRC contract, it was for a year. I had a contract with Aprilia for that season and I told them that I could not break [an existing] contract for a one-year contract because I would damage a relationship.
“I needed at least a two-year contract, which they didn’t offer me.
“Anyway, it was not in my character to break a deal just to switch a spot, and so I didn’t see the potential to move there.”
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