Trackhouse Aprilia has revealed a new Gulf-themed livery inspired by the iconic Ford GT40 for the upcoming Indonesian MotoGP at Mandalika. This special design celebrates Gulf’s 125th anniversary and will be worn by the 2026 MotoGP champions Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez during the races in Indonesia and later at Sepang, Malaysia.
This marks Trackhouse’s first time back in Gulf colors since the Mugello race, with the livery heavily influenced by one of the most famous motifs in motorsport history. The design draws its primary inspiration from the Gulf-liveried Ford GT40s that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969, including the use of classic racing numbers reminiscent of those legendary cars.
Trackhouse owner Justin Marks expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Every time I see the Gulf livery on our Aprilia RS-GP 26 bikes, it excites me. Growing up hearing about the intense battles at Le Mans in the ’60s and ’70s, where the Gulf colors became some of the most iconic in motorsport, makes these designs especially meaningful.”
Mike Jones, CEO of Gulf Oil International UK Limited, added, “Seeing Gulf’s 125th anniversary celebrated through our partnership with the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team is incredibly thrilling. We’re proud of our heritage, so it made sense to base our latest livery on our rich motorsport history, especially during this milestone year. While honoring our past, it’s crucial to look ahead to Gulf’s future ambitions. This distinctive bike design embodies that balance, and I’m eager to see it in action in Indonesia and Malaysia.”
Currently, Ogura and Fernandez hold fifth and seventh places respectively in the world championship rankings and will be aiming for strong performances in Mandalika—a circuit where Aprilia showed impressive form last year, including Fernandez’s first Sprint podium.
Fan Take:
This Gulf-inspired livery is more than just a tribute; it reconnects fans with a golden era of racing heritage, blending history with cutting-edge MotoGP technology. For racing enthusiasts, this collaboration highlights how honoring tradition can energize the present, potentially boosting team spirit and fan engagement as the season progresses.
Source: www.crash.net
