Aprilia radically overhauled its V4-powered contender over the winter, with a renewed focus on aerodynamics allowing works riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales to score sprint podiums in Qatar and Portugal respectively and emerge as contenders for victory.
But Trackhouse rider Oliveira, who also has the latest-spec RS-GP at his disposal, has been unable to replicate the kind of results Espargaro and Vinales have achieved so far, leaving him 14th in the standings after the opening two rounds.
Having mustered a single point in the Qatar season-opener, the Portuguese rider could only finish ninth at his home round at the Algarve International Circuit, where Vinales was on course for second until a late gearbox issue.
Amid the stark contrast in his performance to that of his factory team stablemates, the 29-year-old explained that he has been unable to make much strides on a bike that has simply not been working the way he would like it to.
"Small steps. Baby, baby, baby steps. Really baby steps," he said of a lack of progress in 2024. "I would have liked something bigger.
“The feeling I have is good. I'm fully adapted to the premier riding style and everything but the bike is just not working, not working as it should do, and it's quite frustrating.
Source: Autosport