Espargaro made his MotoGP debut in 2009 and has been in the class full-time since 2010 (although he spent a year in Moto2 in 2011) and has ridden Ducati, CRT, Open Class, Suzuki and Aprilia machines during his tenure.
Despite his vast experience, due to the general lack of top machines in MotoGP, Espargaro has only one podium to thank – a second at the Flag-to-Flag Grand Prix of Aragon in 2014.
Espargaro has led the development of Aprilia since joining the brand in 2017 and had a strong 2021 season, scoring 67 points thanks to regular top eight performances.
For the next season he will be supported by Vinales, who officially parted ways with Yamaha last week after his suspension after deliberately attempting to damage the engine of his motorcycle at the Styrian GP.
The nine-time MotoGP winner is set to bridge Aprilia’s deficit on the podium and Espargaro believes his former Suzuki teammate will help prove to the world that he is one of the best riders in the premier class.
“I am convinced that I am one of the top three riders in MotoGP,” said Espargaro during the British Grand Prix weekend.
“I don’t need Valentino Rossi as a team-mate to prove how good I am. I am convinced of that.
“I am sure I can go faster than Vinales and I am sure it will be good to have Maverick here to convince those who are not yet convinced of my level.”
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Vinales will make its Aprilia debut in a two-day test in Misano next week. Aprilia is working hard to get him to race as soon as possible.
However, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said Friday at Silverstone that Vinales won’t be pushed into a racing seat until he’s ready.
Espargaro comes into Saturday at the British GP after finishing seventh overall on Friday, while teammate Lorenzo Savadori was last more than five seconds behind the pace when he battled Dani Pedrosa with a broken ankle after his violent Styrian GP crash .