After a split from Yamaha in the middle of the season, then without Austria 2 and Silverstone, Maverick Vinales will be back on the MotoGP grid for his Aprilia race debut this weekend in Aragon.
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The nine-time race winner in the premier class had already agreed to move to the Italian plant for 2022 before his suspension by Yamaha, but now has the chance to end this season at the RS-GP, which took its first MotoGP podium into the hands of Aleix Espargaro at Silverstone.
Vinales’ introduction to the motorcycle during a private test in Misano was encouraging. The 26-year-old, who admitted being “nervous” before his first experience with a V4 engine, reported no major problems adapting to the RS-GP, while his best lap of 1: 32.4 seconds was his fastest Lap en route corresponded to victory on the racetrack last season.
There is clearly still a lot to learn about the Aprilia for Vinales, especially when it comes to braking, and the RS-GP remains the only machine on the grid to have won another race. But Espargaro lost just a 0.2 second lap at Silverstone to Vinales’ former teammate and championship leader Fabio Quartararo, and Aragon has been a successful venue for Aprilia in the past.
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“Coming off the podium is the best time to join the team and try to give them feedback,” said Vinales.
“Aleix and Savadori certainly did a great job because they go very fast and the bike works well. I was quite surprised because the adaptation to the bike was pretty quick.”
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Vinales, who won the season opener in Qatar before making his final podium with Yamaha in Assen, revealed that the Aprilia team is not entirely new to him.
“When I drove 125 I drove with Aprilia and I know most of them [team members] since 2011 some even before that from the Spanish championship, “he explained.
Looking ahead to the Aragon weekend, Vinales said: “I can’t wait to get back on track. The chance to do that right now is definitely important, especially in terms of preparing for the 2022 season.
“I may not be 100% ready after just two days of testing, but being on the right track with the others and being able to talk to Aleix who does great things will help me to get my feel for the RS-GP to enhance.
“The Aprilia employees are highly motivated. I felt a lot of enthusiasm and the desire to grow, which is just another motivation for me to get into the mix right away.
“I’ll get my maximum out of the first lap in Aragon.”
Espargaro will also get the most out of it.
The Spaniard has been Aprilia’s best driver in the World Championship since joining the factory in 2017.
The last time Espargaro was consistently beaten by a teammate was in 2016 when he drove with Vinales at Suzuki, but will he be able to turn the tables this time?
“Aragón is a circuit that I really like. I always feel good here, no matter what the conditions,” said Espargaro of the Spanish circuit, where he achieved Aprilia’s best MotoGP result twice, finishing sixth.
“This year we arrive with a special spirit – that much is clear – after an important result and with high expectations, but our goal remains the same. We have to stay focused and keep working race after race.
“We know we can fight for the top positions and the podium at Silverstone just confirmed that.”
Since Vinales is switching directly to the racing team, rookie Lorenzo Savadori, who had to withdraw from Silverstone due to his healing foot injuries from Austria, will return to test and wildcard drives.