Luca Marini secured a MotoGP return for the 2027 season with Aprilia’s satellite Trackhouse team, sources confirmed, finalizing a deal to ride the RS-GP machinery. The move comes after Honda parted ways with Marini, allowing him to join Aprilia’s expanded rider lineup as the manufacturer ramps up development for the new RS-GP era under upcoming technical regulations.
Marini is set to join Aprilia’s satellite Trackhouse team, which will field RS-GP machinery distinct from but technically supported by the factory squad, sources confirmed. The arrangement places Marini alongside factory riders Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi, who will compete on the latest RS-GP models in the 2027 season under new technical regulations. According to MotoGP rider market reports from Corsedimoto and Italian MotoGP commentators, contracts have been signed and negotiations are in their final stages, with only official announcements pending.
The Aprilia Trackhouse team is described as an independent satellite outfit running the RS-GP platform, marking a significant expansion of Aprilia’s presence on the grid.
This will bring Aprilia’s total RS-GP deployment to four bikes — two factory and two satellite — allowing the manufacturer to increase development mileage and data collection across different riders and teams, according to industry analysis. Sources indicate that the move is part of Aprilia’s broader strategy to intensify RS-GP development in response to the upcoming regulation changes scheduled for 2027.
Marini’s return to MotoGP follows Honda’s decision to part ways with the Italian rider at the end of the current season, according to Italian MotoGP YouTube commentary. His transition to Aprilia is viewed as a return to a more competitive package after a challenging tenure with Honda. Market insiders have described Marini as “catching the last train to MotoGP,” underscoring that this deal preserves his position in the premier class for the new technical cycle. Earlier speculation had linked Marini to other potential teams, including KTM Tech3, but the Aprilia Trackhouse deal has emerged as the leading option.
The expanded Aprilia RS-GP program is centered on the “new era” technical package, which aligns with the 2027 regulation changes. Reports emphasize that the satellite Trackhouse team will run RS-GP machinery that matches the factory specification, rather than older models. This coordinated manufacturer strategy aims to leverage data sharing between factory and satellite squads to refine the RS-GP platform and accelerate development. Industry sources note that the presence of four Italian riders across Aprilia’s factory and satellite teams — Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, Marini, and others — reflects a deliberate effort by Aprilia’s management, including CEO Massimo Rivola, to build an “all-Italian” project to challenge Ducati’s dominance.
Grid projections for the 2027 MotoGP season list Bagnaia and Bezzecchi as factory Aprilia riders, with Marini confirmed as the leading candidate for the remaining Trackhouse seat. While official team announcements are still awaited, multiple sources confirm the structure and rider lineup. Analysts highlight that the four-bike RS-GP deployment represents a significant increase in Aprilia’s competitive presence and development capacity, aiming to close the performance gap to Ducati under the new rules.
Despite the advanced stage of negotiations, some uncertainties remain. Market reports caution that the Marini–Trackhouse–Aprilia deal is “not yet finalized” in formal terms, and official confirmation from Aprilia or Trackhouse has not been issued. Additionally, no official technical documents detailing the 2027 RS-GP specifications have been released publicly; references to the new era program derive from rider-market commentary and strategic analysis rather than formal manufacturer statements.
The Aprilia Trackhouse satellite team’s expanded role and Marini’s return are expected to be key elements in the manufacturer’s 2027 campaign as it adapts to regulatory changes and seeks to strengthen its competitive position. Further announcements regarding rider lineups and technical details are anticipated as the 2027 season approaches.
