Aprilia calls for MotoGP scoring changes amid Marc Marquez dominance
Marquez will likely win the title next time out (Credit: Apex Agency)
Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Marc Marquez is so hard to beat that Aprilia’s CEO thinks changing the points system may be the only way.
The Italian manufacturer looked set to lift their first riders’ championship this season, with Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin battling for the title.
However, Marquez miraculously staged a comeback from 102 points behind, and he’s now set to clinch his 10th world title next time out in Portugal.
Bezzecchi earlier had a commanding title lead, winning the first three races of the season, but his problems were summed up last time out in Qatar.
A crash out of the Sprint Race was followed by a commanding Grand Prix victory, with the Italian recording only one fewer feature race win this season than Marquez.
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As such, Rivola feels the 12 points handed out for the Sprints aren’t exactly fair.
Aprilia boss wants MotoGP scoring changes after Marquez comeback
"I'd say it's clear we have too many sprint races,” he told Sky Italia. “Years ago, we would have been in a different ranking.
“I also think we should find a way to change the championship's scoring system. I've heard that sometimes four Aprilias aren't enough to beat Marc Marquez. That's true; it's a fact.”
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| Rider | Grand Prix wins in 2026 |
| Marc Marquez | 7 |
| Marco Bezzecchi | 6 |
| Jorge Martin | 1 |
| Pedro Acosta | 1 |
| Ai Ogura | 1 |
| Fabio Di Giann | 1 |
| Raul Fernandez | 1 |
| Alex Marquez | 1 |
Luckily for Rivola, Aprilia’s factory squad will at least win the teams’ championship, but they’re now lagging eight points behind Marquez’s Ducati in the manufacturers’, with Ducati fielding six bikes to Aprilia’s four.
The executive is focused on his own two riders, though, explaining: "First and foremost, there's the teams' championship, which is essentially the same as the F1 constructors' championship, because it's the sum of your two riders' points.
“And yes, the constructors' championship is definitely a goal. Honestly, I think we deserve it.”
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| Pos. | Team | Points |
| 1 | Aprilia Racing | 728 |
| 2 | Ducati Lenovo Team | 604 |
| 3 | SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team | 552 |
| 4 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 427 |
| 5 | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | 352 |
| 6 | BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP | 344 |
| 7 | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | 169 |
| 8 | Honda HRC | 158 |
| 9 | LCR Honda | 141 |
| 10 | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team | 108 |
| 11 | Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP | 49 |
Rivola credits Marquez rather than Ducati for championship success
Rivola then caused some controversy, which didn’t go down well at their Italian rivals.
He added: “We haven't lost the World Championship; Marc Marquez has won it.
“Honestly, he made the difference, as he demonstrated again in Qatar. Let's look at the gap to the other Ducatis.
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“The way he managed the weekends, scoring 37 points when he knew he could, and achieving victory on the most difficult circuits, is admirable.
“I take my hat off to him. It's no coincidence; Marc is truly great.”
The comments were quickly taken as a dig at Ducati and presented to their team manager, Davide Tardozzi, that way.
Ducati responds to Aprilia boss's controversial title claim
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The executive was asked if he agreed Marquez won the title rather than Ducati, and responded: “Well, there are six Ducatis, and sometimes other Ducatis have won as well.
“So congratulations to them [Aprilia] on their excellent bike. But I want to say one thing: it’s the whole package that wins. Because you need a fast rider—a champion like the one we have—a competitive bike, and a sports and technical management team that works and can put the rider in a position to win the World Championship.
“So you need the whole package. Even the sports management.”
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