A new course has officially begun for Honda under Romano Albesiano's technical direction.
With a degree in aeronautical engineering, the Piedmontese technician has always been very active over the years at Aprilia in terms of aerodynamics: the first wing on the tail appeared on the RS-GP in 2022, and the ground-effect fairing also originated in Noale.
But the Japanese have always suffered in that very area.
During the three-day Shakedown at Sepang, some experiments were already seen implemented on the RC213V.
But the one that most easily caught our eye was the "smooth" version of the tail ... that was stripped of all wings and spoilers.
HRC was generous in that area, but they removed everything for the tests.
This isn't very unusual because the Aprilia RS-GPs in the 2025 version have been racing without wings on their tails these days, even if some changes are expected for the official tests.
Logically, work is also being done on the fairing. In the photo above, you see the RC213V ridden by Chantra with a 2024-version fairing.
HRC will field four 2025 bikes for all its riders, including the rookie from Thailand.
The RC213V above was instead taken to the track by test rider Aleix Espargarò.
The diffusers (the "ears" at the bottom of the fairing) are much larger, and the horizontal spoiler is consequently smaller, somewhat like what was seen on Pirro's Ducati. Also, the shape of the side wings has really changed.
