A technical infringement committed by the Trackhouse Aprilia team in Argentina has resulted in the loss of eight points previously secured by Ai Ogura.
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MotoGP rookie Ai Ogura’s impressive run at the Argentina Grand Prix has been marred by a post-race disqualification. The Trackhouse Aprilia rider, who crossed the line in eighth place, was found to have used non-approved software during the race, resulting in his result being stripped from the record books.
According to a statement issued by the race stewards, Ogura’s Aprilia RS-GP was running a “non-homologated software version” of the championship’s spec Electronic Control Unit (ECU), supplied by Magneti Marelli. The software in question, identified as V21 b102, had not been approved by the FIM Grand Prix World Championship, violating Article 2.4.3.5.3 of the regulations.
“The team was found to be using a non-homologated software version that had not been approved by the Championship,” the statement read. “This contravenes the regulations governing the Electronic Control Unit and Inertial Measurement Unit.”
Ogura’s disqualification promotes all riders behind him by one position. Notably, his Trackhouse Aprilia teammate, Raúl Fernández, moves up to 15th place, earning his first championship point of the season.
For Ogura, the disqualification is a significant setback in what has otherwise been a stellar start to his MotoGP career. The Japanese rookie had already impressed with a fifth-place finish in the Thai Grand Prix and a fourth-place finish in the sprint race during the season opener. Despite the zero points in Argentina, Ogura remains eighth in the championship standings with 17 points.
Ogura’s transition from Moto2 to MotoGP has been nothing short of remarkable. His performances in Thailand showcased his adaptability and potential, making him one of the standout rookies of the season. However, the disqualification in Argentina serves as a reminder of the strict technical regulations in MotoGP and the importance of compliance.
The disqualification will undoubtedly be a learning experience for Ogura and the Trackhouse Aprilia team. As the championship heads to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, Ogura will be eager to put this incident behind him and continue his strong form.
Meanwhile, Raúl Fernández will take encouragement from scoring his first point of the season, hoping to build momentum as the year progresses.
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