We reported it about a month ago and today the official announcement came: The Piaggio Group announced that Massimo Rivola will take over as CEO of Aprilia Racing from January 7, 2019.
Massimo Rivola is forty-seven years old, has a degree in business administration, is a motorcycle and Aprilia enthusiast and has twenty-one seasons experience and more than 300 GP races in F1. Twelve years in the pit lane at Minardi, Toro Rosso and with seven seasons the longest-serving director of sport in Ferrari history. He has worked with great champions including Alonso and Vettel. He has been head of the Ferrari Driver Academy for three years, a young Leclerc from an F3 car behind the wheel of the F1 car from Maranello.
The press release states: “The appointment of Rivola, who brings the experience gained in Formula 1 to MotoGP, is another important step on the way to consolidating the Noale racing division and confirming the commitment of the Piaggio Group to the Expand MotoGP project. “
“With this addition, Aprilia Racing continues to grow following the signing of top rider Andrea Iannone, who will ride alongside confirmed Aleix Espargaró, the arrival of Bradley Smith as a tester and the addition of two new crew chiefs with proven experience, Antonio Jimenez and Fabrizio Cecchini. “