Aprilia has this morning confirmed that former Ferrari F1 chief Massimo Rivola will be its new racing CEO for 2019.

Rivola has 12 years in pit lane with Minardi, Toro Rosso and, with seven seasons, he was the longest running Sports Director in the history of Ferrari working with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

For the last three years he has been the head of the Ferrari Driver Academy, taking a young Charles Leclerc from an F3 car to the wheel of the F1 car from Maranello.

“The appointment of Rivola, who brings to MotoGP the vast experience accumulated in Formula 1, is another important step in the path of consolidating the Noale racing department and conformation of the Piaggio Group’s commitment to growing the MotoGP project,” said a spokesman.

“With this addition, Aprilia Racing continues to grow after the signing of top rider Andrea Iannone, who will ride alongside reconfirmed Aleix Espargaró, the arrival of Bradley Smith as tester and the addition of two new crew chiefs with proven experience, Antonio Jimenez and Fabrizio Cecchini.”

Romano Albesiano will remain in his role as technical director.