Davide Brivio (motorsport)
Davide Brivio | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 17, 1964 Italy |
| Occupation | Motorsport executive |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | Managing Yamaha and Suzuki MotoGP teams, racing director at Alpine F1 Team, team principal at Trackhouse Racing MotoGP |
Davide Brivio (born 17 July 1964) is an Italian motorsport executive currently managing the Trackhouse Racing MotoGP initiative. His previous roles include managing Yamaha's teams in both World Superbike and MotoGP, as well as leading Suzuki MotoGP. Additionally, he held the positions of racing director and head of the young driver program at Alpine F1 Team.
Brivio ranks among the most accomplished managers in motorcycle Grand Prix history, having guided teams and riders to six riders' championships, four constructors' championships, and six teams' championships.
Career
Growing up close to the Monza racetrack, Brivio cultivated a strong interest in motorsport from a young age and competed in motocross. He also gained experience as a circuit commentator and motorcycle journalist. In 1982, he earned an accountancy diploma from Istituto Villa Greppi in Monticello Brianza.
World Superbike
Brivio began his career in 1990 as a press officer for Fabrizio Pirovano in the World Superbike championship. By 1992, he advanced to become team manager for Belgarda Yamaha Racing Division. Toward the end of 1993, he joined Yamaha Factory Racing’s World Superbike team and was elevated to team manager in 1995, a role he fulfilled until 2000 before transitioning to consultancy work in 2001.
Yamaha
At the close of 2001, Brivio was promoted to manage Yamaha’s MotoGP team, applying his expertise with four-stroke engines gained in World Superbike during the sport’s transition in 2002. He played a pivotal role in convincing Valentino Rossi to sign with Yamaha in 2004. Under Brivio’s leadership from 2004 to 2010, Yamaha secured five riders' titles (Rossi in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009; Jorge Lorenzo in 2010) alongside four constructors' championships (2005, 2008–2010).
Independent consultant
After Valentino Rossi departed Yamaha for Ducati in 2010, Brivio left Yamaha and worked as a consultant for Rossi’s VR46 Racing Team and its rider development initiatives until 2013.
Suzuki
Brivio joined Suzuki in 2013 as testing team manager ahead of their MotoGP comeback. Upon Suzuki’s official return to MotoGP in 2015, he was appointed team manager. His focus centered on nurturing emerging talent consistent with Suzuki’s strategic objectives. The team had a steady season in 2015, followed by podium finishes and a victory in 2016 with Maverick Viñales. However, development restrictions caused setbacks in 2017. After regaining concessions, Suzuki achieved nine podiums during the strong 2018 campaign and two wins with Álex Rins in 2019.
Brivio’s tenure peaked in the successful 2020 season when Suzuki won the teams' championship and Joan Mir secured the riders' title—the manufacturer’s first since 2000. In January 2021, Brivio announced his exit from both Suzuki and MotoGP.
Formula One
In January 2021, Brivio took on the role of racing director at the Alpine F1 Team. By early 2022, his responsibilities shifted toward overseeing Alpine’s young driver program and directing potential expansion into additional motorsport disciplines under the title of director of racing expansion projects. Alpine revealed in December 2023 that Brivio would depart by year-end, sparking speculation regarding a possible return to MotoGP.
Return to MotoGP
Brivio made his return to the MotoGP arena by assuming the role of team principal at Trackhouse Racing as they prepared for their inaugural participation in the 2024 season.