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Fabiano Sterlacchini: The man engineering Aprilia's MotoGP resurgence

Aprilia's 2026 MotoGP season has been nothing short of remarkable, with the RS-GPs regularly featuring at the sharp end of the grid. We sat down with Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini to understand what's driving that performance, and what the team is building toward as MotoGP prepares for a regulatory reset in 2027. Q: Since you joined the team, the RS-GP has gone from race-winner to genuine championship contender. Is there one specific area where you feel you've brought the most progress? Sterlacchini: Not really, to be honest. As I always said, it's super important in motorsport that you don't have any weak points. You have to work in parallel in any area of development – in our case, the aerodynamic, the electronic, the chassis behaviour, and the engine performance. What we did was (address) some specific topics. For example, the stability of the bike. This has probably been one of the crucial points, because now the bike is much more calm than before, and for the rider it's much more easy to push to the limit. Because you can have two approaches. One, you are changing the limit of the bike, but it's unpredictable, so the rider is keeping a margin. Or, you are not changing the limit, but you are making this limit more predictable, so the rider is reducing the margin and you are increasing the real performance. We worked for sure in this area. And in the meantime, we worked quite intensively across some areas but, I would say, in a balanced way – aerodynamic, electronic, chassis. We brought evolution in every area, and probably this is the secret of the gradient of growth. Q: There's been a lot of talk about the F-duct innovation – something clever that technically anybody could have found, but Aprilia did

May 10, 2026 · via autocarindia.com

FROM <b>SIM</b> TO CIRCUIT

In motorsport, opportunity is often the difference between aspiration and achievement. For Porsche Malaysia, that belief has taken tangible form in creating a pathway where passion, performance and potential converge. At the centre of this story is 26-year-old Naquib Azlan, a Malaysian talent whose journey from virtual racing to the professional grid of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) 2026 season signals a compelling new chapter – not only for himself, but for the future of local motorsport. More than a personal milestone, Naquib’s rise reflects a broader commitment by Porsche Malaysia to nurture and elevate homegrown talent through both digital and real-world platforms. Transcending boundaries For Naquib, motorsport began not on asphalt, but on a screen. Starting his journey in sim racing in 2020, he honed his racecraft in the virtual world – developing technical precision, discipline and an instinctive understanding of performance driving.After emerging as champion of the Driven Dreamers category at the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia 2025, Naquib earned a place in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool Programme.This initiative is designed to identify and cultivate promising drivers through professional coaching, training camps and structured performance development — reflecting Porsche’s long-standing commitment to cultivating talent within the region.Today, he competes in the Pro category of the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season (PCCA), racing the #17 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992.2) car under Team Porsche Malaysia, represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance (Auto Performance) in partnership with Earl Bamber Motorsport and Axle Motorsports. His progression from simulator to one of Asia’s most competitive championships is a testament to the evolving nature of motorsport – where digital platforms are no longer a parallel track, but a legitimate launchpad. The 2026 season marks a significant step up, with Naquib demonstrating promise by setting the fastest lap during

May 10, 2026 · via thestar.com.my

Needed new teeth after this

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May 9, 2026 · via youtube.com

Ford eyes Verstappen for future WEC Hypercar assault

The prospect of Max Verstappen taking on the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ford Hypercar is already igniting excitement inside the American manufacturer’s racing division. Ford Performance chief Mark Rushbrook has openly admitting that he would love to see the four-time Formula 1 world champion spearhead the company’s future endurance ambitions. The company’s long-awaited entry into the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar category from 2027 is shaping up to be one of the sport’s biggest upcoming storylines. The automotive giant is preparing an LMDh prototype for the top class of endurance racing, adding another major manufacturer to an already stacked field. And while the programme itself is still taking shape, one dream scenario is already impossible to ignore: Verstappen fighting for outright Le Mans victory in Ford colours. Ford already in talks with Verstappen The connection between Ford and Verstappen is obviously rooted in the manufacturer’s Formula 1 alliance with Red Bull Powertrains, which officially began this season. As it works closely with Red Bull on future F1 power units, conversations about racing beyond Formula 1 have already started to emerge. “Yes, of course,” said Rushbrook, speaking to Motorsport.com’s Dutch affiliate. “We love Max, we love what he does in the Formula 1 car, on the track. “We love him off the track. He's a great person, as much as he's a great driver. We love his passion to be racing GT3, like he is, and what he does with developing drivers through sim racing and getting them on the track. “So, of course, we have regular discussions with him about what are the opportunities to do more in sportscar, including Hypercar." Verstappen’s enthusiasm for endurance racing has become increasingly visible in recent years. Beyond his extensive sim racing involvement, the Dutchman is preparing to compete in the

May 9, 2026 · via f1i.com

Ford admits it wants Max Verstappen in Mustang GT3 as Hypercar talks continue

As speculation over the Dutchman’s long-term endurance racing future continues to grow, Ford Performance boss Mark Rushbrook has admitted that the American manufacturer would “rather” see Max Verstappen racing a Ford Mustang GT3 than a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, is set to compete in next week’s 24 Hours Nürburgring with Verstappen Racing in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, following the team’s switch from the Aston Martin Vantage GT3. This has attracted attention due to Ford’s expanding partnership with Red Bull Racing in anticipation of Formula 1’s new power unit regulations in 2026. Ford is heavily involved in developing Red Bull’s future engine, leading some observers to question whether Verstappen’s association with Mercedes in GT racing would cause problems for the American manufacturer. Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya was among those to publicly raise the issue. “If I were the boss of Ford, I wouldn’t like to see Verstappen advertising for Mercedes at the Nürburgring,” he said recently. Speaking during a media session at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Rushbrook acknowledged that Ford would ideally prefer Verstappen to represent its own GT machinery. However, he also made clear that the company understands the reasoning behind the Dutchman’s current programme. Ford praises Verstappen’s racing mentality Rushbrook stressed that Ford views Verstappen’s wider racing ambitions positively, particularly given his increasing involvement in GT and endurance competitions alongside his Formula 1 career. “Naturally, we would prefer to see our Ford drivers stay at Ford,” Rushbrook explained. “We understand why he did that. We love his passion.” “We love that he is a racer. We love what he does for us in Formula 1. We appreciate who he is as a person.” The Ford executive added that Verstappen’s constant pursuit of extra racing experience, whether through sim racing, GT competition or endurance

May 9, 2026 · via thejudge13.com

Ford Confirms Talks With Max Verstappen for a Le Mans Hypercar Drive

Max Verstappen racing a Ford at Le Mans isn’t a pipe dream someone floated on a podcast. It’s a conversation Ford is actively having with the man himself, and Mark Rushbrook isn’t hiding it. Speaking to Motorsport.com, Ford Performance‘s global director confirmed the discussions are real and ongoing. When asked if talks had taken place, Rushbrook didn’t hide his enthusiasm to have an ally in the Dutchman: “Yes, of course. “We love Max. We love what he does in the Formula 1 car, on the track. We love him off the track. He’s a great person, as much as he’s a great driver. We love his passion to be racing GT3, like he is, and what he does with developing drivers through sim racing and getting them on the track. So, of course, we have regular discussions with him about what are the opportunities to do more in sportscar, including Hypercar. He’s a racer. He wants to race,” Rushbrook said. Verstappen’s name keeps coming up in the endurance world, given his appetite for long-distance racing and his existing ties to Ford through Red Bull Powertrains. The four-time champion has made clear in recent years that he wants to do more outside of Formula 1, and he will compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours, his next step in GT racing. A Le Mans outright bid is the obvious target, and Ford is the obvious partner – except for when the calendar gets in the way. The Schedule Is the Problem, Not the Will Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, keeping his schedule locked up for the foreseeable future with 24-race seasons. “He wants to go race Le Mans and race for the overall win, but most years the schedule doesn’t allow it, right? While he’s

May 9, 2026 · via motorbiscuit.com

How I Nearly Lost MY <b>SIM RACE</b>

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May 9, 2026 · via youtube.com

Are you more fun or fast?

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May 9, 2026 · via youtube.com

Mark Rushbrook: Ford love Max Verstappen, we want him in our WEC Hypercar programme

Ford’s endurance racing ambitions could include Max Verstappen, with performance boss Mark Rushbrook admitting the company has already discussed future Hypercar opportunities with the four-time Formula 1 World Champion. Ford and Red Bull partners for the first year in Formula 1 together, the American company making its first return to the pinnacle of the sport this century after a major role in evolving the sport from the 1960s until the 1990s. Furthermore, Ford will enter the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar class in 2027 with its new LMDh prototype, marking the brand’s return to the top category of endurance racing. The American manufacturer already competes in WEC with customer Mustang LMGT3 entries, while its Formula 1 return this year came through its partnership with Red Bull Racing. Verstappen’s growing interest in endurance racing has only intensified speculation about a future Le Mans programme. The Dutchman is set to compete in next week’s Nürburgring 24 Hours in a Mercedes AMG GT3, while repeatedly expressing his desire to race at Le Mans for an outright win. Speaking to Motorsport.com Netherlands, Rushbrook confirmed Ford has already held discussions with Verstappen about sportscar racing possibilities. “Yes, of course,” said Rushbrook. “We love Max. We love what he does in the Formula 1 car, on the track. “We love him off the track. He's a great person, as much as he's a great driver. We love his passion to be racing GT3, like he is, and what he does with developing drivers through sim racing and getting them on the track. Verstappen is a racer, he wants to race “So, of course, we have regular discussions with him about what are the opportunities to do more in sportscar, including Hypercar. He’s a racer. He wants to race," according to Rushbrook, who added that Verstappen

May 9, 2026 · via grandprix247.com

Asetek 'Masterclasses' featuring Matt Malone and Austin Jurs to be held at <b>SimRacing</b> Expo Charlotte

Asetek ‘Masterclasses’ featuring Matt Malone and Austin Jurs to be held at SimRacing Expo Charlotte Asetek has announced it will be holding sim racing 'Masterclass' discussions throughout this year's SimRacing Expo Charlotte, with Matt Malone, Austin Jurs and André Eriksen set to appear. Asetek booth at SimRacing Expo Charlotte will feature Austin Jurs, Matt Malone and André Eriksen A series of ‘Masterclass’ discussions is scheduled, covering sim racing equipment, driving tips and highlighting transferable skills between real-world motorsport and virtual driving Sim racing hardware manufacturer Asetek Racing will be holding a series of ‘Masterclasses’ at this year’s SimRacing Expo Charlotte. Friday and Saturday’s Masterclass discussions will cover sim racing equipment and driving advice with Malone and Eriksen, while on Sunday, visitors will hear insights from Jurs on how his real-world motorsport activities are influenced by sim racing, and vice versa. Asetek will also be presenting a range of sim racing equipment for patrons to try, with an as-yet-unnamed racecar set to be on display. The full Asetek Masterclass schedule for SimRacing Expo Charlotte is below. This offers three days of SimRacing Expo Charlotte access, one-day access to the NASCAR Hall of Fame museum and a Race-Day Bundle for the NASCAR Cup Coca-Cola 600 at the nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway. Discussion 0 Comments Join the discussion Join Traxion.gg to start discussing with members. Already a member? Sign in

May 9, 2026 · via traxion.gg

Hamilton wants to repeat podium success with no <b>sim</b> plan for Canada

Lewis Hamilton will shy away from using the simulator ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, the Briton revealed in Miami. The seven-time world champion hopes this approach works better for him after time in the sim did not translate into a better result last Sunday. In the build-up to the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton spent time in the simulator. However, once he got to the track, it proved ineffective, as there was no correlation, the Briton explained. In Miami, Hamilton eventually finished sixth on Sunday after his teammate Charles Leclerc was handed a 20-second time penalty. He will therefore change his approach for the Canadian Grand Prix, which will also be a Sprint weekend. Hamilton: 'My best weekend was without the sim' "On a sprint weekend, for example, you've only got practice one, you don't really want to veer off from your setup too too far like with a big suspension change, and so you stay with it. Then you make a change going it's qualifying and you only got six laps to get on top of it. So in an ideal world I should have started where Charles was at the beginning of the weekend on P1 and I think we would have just had a stronger weekend from there," Hamilton explained to GPblog, among others. He added: "So I'm not gonna go on the simulator between now and the next race. I'll still go and hold meetings at the factory and stuff, but I'm just going to back away from it for a little bit and see. Because when we went to China, I had the best weekend without the sim." Make GPblog your preferred source on Google and see our content first in Google Discover and Google News. Listen to or watch the GPblog.com video podcast. In

May 9, 2026 · via gpblog.com