Miguel Oliveira Reveals the Reason for His Decline: “I No Longer Trusted the Brakes”

Miguel Oliveira, once heralded as one of MotoGP’s most promising talents, has opened up about his recent performance slump — and the reason is as startling as it is simple. In a candid admission following yet another frustrating race weekend, the Portuguese rider confessed: “I no longer trusted the brakes.”

This revelation sheds light on a string of underwhelming performances that have plagued Oliveira throughout the 2025 season. Once a consistent top-10 threat and occasional podium finisher, Oliveira has struggled to find form and confidence aboard his Trackhouse Racing Aprilia. Now, the truth behind his unsettling form has finally come to light.

A Downward Spiral for the Portuguese Star

When Miguel Oliveira first burst onto the MotoGP scene with Red Bull KTM Tech3, his rise was sharp and impressive. Victories in Austria and Portugal during the 2020 season marked him as a serious talent. By 2022, he was viewed as a dark horse in the title picture.

But since moving to the RNF Aprilia squad in 2023 — which later became Trackhouse Racing — Oliveira has failed to live up to expectations. Injury setbacks, inconsistent qualifying results, and race pace issues have haunted him.

And in 2025, things got worse. While teammate Raul Fernandez has occasionally flirted with top-six finishes, Oliveira has appeared lost, often outside the top 10 and visibly uncomfortable on the bike. Until now, fans and experts alike were left guessing: Was it physical? Was it mental? Or was it the machine?

“I No Longer Trusted the Brakes” – The Admission That Explains Everything

After the British Grand Prix, where Oliveira limped to a P17 finish, he finally revealed the root of his struggle.

“I’ve been riding with doubt,” Oliveira told MotoGP.com.
“I had a braking issue that started in the early part of the season. It wasn’t just about performance — it was about confidence. I no longer trusted the brakes.”

This confession goes deeper than a mechanical hiccup. In a sport where riders regularly hit 350 km/h, braking zones are not just technical — they’re moments of life-or-death precision.

“You hesitate for even half a second in braking,” Oliveira continued, “and your entire corner entry, your body position, and your rhythm is ruined. Multiply that by every lap, and it becomes a disaster.”

The Braking Problem: Mechanical or Mental?

While Oliveira did not go into exact technical detail, paddock insiders suggest that the Aprilia’s braking consistency has become a recurring topic within Trackhouse. Some speculate there were overheating issues, others mention variability in brake feel due to setup changes.

But what made Oliveira’s issue worse was psychological.

“I was scared of pushing the limits. You can’t ride in MotoGP like that. You just can’t.”

Even after mechanics worked on the hardware, the mental damage was done. Oliveira began adjusting his style, braking earlier, shifting his weight differently — but it only made him slower.

Riding with Fear: A Death Sentence in MotoGP

Trust is everything in MotoGP. Riders must trust that when they squeeze the brake lever at full throttle from 200+ mph, the bike will respond exactly as expected.

Miguel Oliveira’s admission is not just about a technical fault. It’s about what happens when a rider loses faith in their machine — and how that faith is nearly impossible to recover mid-season.

Riding with fear is like riding with a handbrake. The hesitation creeps into other areas: corner entry, tire conservation, overtaking decisions, and even qualifying laps.

“You start to doubt the tires, the front end, the lean angle. You start questioning the bike instead of attacking the track,” said Oliveira.

Trackhouse Racing’s Response: Supportive but Concerned

Trackhouse Racing, which took over the RNF Aprilia squad for 2024, has shown support for Oliveira but also voiced frustration at the lack of progress.

Team manager Davide Brivio recently said:

“We know Miguel is better than this. He’s a proven race winner. But we also need answers. It’s not just about setup — it’s about attitude and direction.”

Aprilia’s satellite squad has access to high-quality data and tech from the factory, but in MotoGP, rider feedback is irreplaceable. When a rider can’t communicate clearly due to lack of confidence, the entire feedback loop breaks down.

Aprilia’s Braking History: A Known Weak Spot

Interestingly, Aprilia’s braking system has drawn scrutiny before. Even factory riders like Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales have occasionally mentioned “inconsistent lever feel” or “front-end instability” under hard braking.

However, both have been able to adapt — or at least compensate — through setup changes and riding style. Oliveira’s case is different because the trust was broken early, and he never recovered.

The Consequences: Oliveira’s MotoGP Future in Jeopardy?

With Oliveira’s contract set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, this revelation may have massive implications for his future.

Rumors have already begun circulating that Jake Dixon or Fermin Aldeguer could be eyed for a Trackhouse seat in 2026. Meanwhile, Oliveira’s MotoGP career could hang in the balance.

If he cannot find form and finish the season strong, he may be forced to look outside MotoGP, perhaps to World Superbike (WSBK) or even a testing role.

Oliveira’s Fighting Spirit: Not Ready to Quit Yet

Despite the mental toll, Oliveira insists he’s not giving up.

“This season has tested me in every way. But I still believe in myself. I still love racing. I’ll fix this.”

To his credit, Oliveira has returned to Portugal to work with mental coaches and physical trainers, focusing on rebuilding his confidence before the next race.

Insiders also confirm that Trackhouse will be bringing updated brake components and settings for the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix — a circuit known for its heavy braking zones, a perfect test of whether the issue can be resolved.

What’s Next for Oliveira? Redemption or Replacement?

The next few races are crucial. If Miguel Oliveira can bounce back and show flashes of his old self, the narrative could shift. He could convince Trackhouse — or another MotoGP team — that the brake saga was a temporary setback, not a permanent decline.

But if the spiral continues, his time in the premier class could quietly come to an end, a sad fate for a rider who once conquered Spielberg, Mugello, and Algarve with sheer brilliance.

Final Thoughts: A Cautionary Tale in Modern MotoGP

Miguel Oliveira’s confession is more than just a personal story — it’s a cautionary tale about the razor-thin line between confidence and collapse in modern MotoGP.

A small mechanical issue, left unresolved or underestimated, can unravel an entire season. And when trust is broken between man and machine, even world-class talent can become irrelevant in a blink.

MotoGP is as much a mental game as it is a technical one. Oliveira’s hope now lies in rediscovering the joy — and the courage — to trust his bike again.