Trackhouse Speaks Up About Ai Ogura's Disqualification

Ai Ogura (left) was disqualified at the 2025 Argentine MotoGP despite appearing impressive (Instagram/@trackhousemotogp).

JAKARTA - Ai Ogura's struggle at the 2025 Argentine MotoGP was canceled by technical violations related to the ECU.

Ai Ogura's impressive performance from 15th to eighth in the Argentine MotoGP 2025 on Monday, March 17, 2025, early morning WIB, meant nothing when she was disqualified for technical offenses.

A technical error caused the wrong ECU to be installed on Oguura's RS-GP Trackhouse into a violation of MotoGP homologation rules.

Although the team insisted there was no performance advantage, the wrong firmware version caused the Japanese driver to be disqualified.

"The sanction after the race against Ai was disappointing. We had to accept Stewards' decision, but felt very sorry for Ai for not giving him any profit."

"This is very disappointing to take points from the great race and the great performances he did on the track."

"It doesn't reduce anything he has done. It's just the wrong version of the software at the ECU."

"He did a great race, a fantastic recovery and we are moving forward and will continue to advance," said team head Davide Brivio.

Ogura, who made history with the best rookie debut since Marc Marquez when he finished fifth at the 2025 Thailand MotoGP, has had a more challenging weekend in Argentina.

After the quiet Sprint Race, the reigning Moto2 champion made a breakthrough with a back tire while warming up.

He moved up five positions in the opening round of the Grand Prix before beating Pedrodeca and finishing just behind another KTM manufacturer, Brad Binder.

"The race was really good. I was lucky after the start and got up a lot of positions."

"After that, I was able to overtake several riders, I was driving at a very good speed."

"During the warm-up, we found something and it made the race easier. I think when I brake, I can overtake other riders. However, against Binder, it is very difficult to overtake."

"When I came out, I was a little ahead of him, but when I braked, he did really well."

"I was a little disappointed with my last round because I couldn't find a way to overtake Binder."

"However, however, it was a great race and I am very happy with today. I am happy with this weekend, especially the main race. It is sad that the result cannot be maintained," said Ogura.

The disqualification not only stripped Ogura's eighth position, but also cost him eight points of the championship, dropping him from fifth to eighth in the drivers' standings. Even so, Trackhouse remains optimistic.

"Ai did a great recovery, starting from 15th position and finishing in eighth."

"However, what we enjoy the most is a fight with a lot of experienced riders, overtaking when it's not easy to do."

"Overall, it was great, another great weekend from Ai despite her initial position like that. We keep going, keep going," said Davide Brivio.

Meanwhile, the only entertainment for Trackhouse is that Oguura's DSQ lifts team-mate Raul Fernandez to 15th place, giving him his first point of the season.

The Spaniard was in 14th position when he was on a long-round penalty due to contact with Enea Bastianini in Sprint Race on Sunday, March 16, 2025, early morning WIB.

While he did not fully agree with the penalty, Fernandez was pleased with how the incident was handled by the FIM Stewards panel, now led by Simon Crafar.

"First of all, I'm happy with the new supervisory panel. You can talk to them and can explain your point of view."

"I only agreed to 50 percent of the penalty because I bumped into Enea a little."

"However, he fell alone because he did not lift his motorbike. I am still happy with the supervisors. This is a step for us."

"In addition, we changed the bike again today. I was riding this bike in Thailand, when I was injured."

"I don't feel well and maybe it was a mistake because we lost control a little bit."

"In Thailand, the bike is more or less good, but in Argentina, after two days, the bike doesn't work the way I want it to."

"So, we're back like last year and that's the key to being competitive again. At the end of the race, I feel very good with the bike and tires. So, I'm very motivated to go to Texas," Fernandez said on Monday, March 17, 2025, as reported by Crash.