Trackhouse Racing team manager Davide Brivio has said he would welcome a tense on-track rivalry between Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura, similar to the legendary MotoGP clashes between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo during their time as Yamaha team-mates.
The rivalry between Rossi and Lorenzo is regarded as one of the most iconic in MotoGP history, with their battle at the 2009 Catalan Grand Prix often described as one of the greatest races of the modern era. The pair, both fighting for the world championship, produced an intense duel at Barcelona that was decided by Rossi’s decisive last-corner overtake on the final lap.
Brivio was part of Yamaha’s management team during that period and vividly remembers the atmosphere surrounding the race. He recalled how celebrations in Rossi’s garage were perceived negatively by Lorenzo’s side, creating tension within the team. What was seen by Rossi’s crew as a normal celebration was interpreted by Lorenzo’s camp as a direct provocation.
Brivio described the situation as a major internal challenge, with several meetings required to ease the tension and clarify misunderstandings. Despite the difficulties, he views the episode as a valuable professional experience and believes such rivalry can be a sign of success.
Now leading Trackhouse Racing, which joined MotoGP in 2024 with Aprilia machinery, Brivio hopes his current rider pairing can push each other in a similar way. He believes that when two riders from the same team are competing at a high level, tension is inevitable, but it also reflects competitiveness and ambition.
With Fernandez and Ogura lining up as Trackhouse team-mates, Brivio is optimistic that healthy rivalry could help drive the team forward, even if it brings challenges similar to those he experienced during Yamaha’s intense 2009 season.
