Espargaro finished on the podium from the start in the 20-lap race at Silverstone and fought off Ducati’s Jack Miller on the final lap to secure his first MotoGP podium since 2014 in third.
It also marked Aprilia’s first podium in the modern MotoGP era and it’s the first since the 500cc premier class era at Phillip Island in 2000.
All of this comes just two weeks after Aprilia confirmed they have signed Maverick Vinales for 2022 after being suspended in Austria following the double headed ball following his suspension and final displacement from Yamaha.
Many had questioned Vinales’ decision to leave Yamaha in favor of the RS-GP in late 2021, but Espargaro says his UK GP result proved to the world and Vinales that his move to Aprilia was not a “10 steps back” may be.
“As for Maverick, yes, of course, if someone told you at the beginning of the season that you could handle Yamaha and go to Aprilia, you will say it’s 10 steps back,” Espargaro said.
“But of course the way he finished with Yamaha isn’t nice, but it’s not that bad because the Aprilia is a competitive bike.
“We’re still not up to the Yamaha level, that’s for sure, but we’re on the way and I think he’ll enjoy riding the Aprilia.
“Yes, it will have to adapt because it’s a very different story from Yamaha, but as I showed today, the bike is on its way.”
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Commenting on his battle for the podium with Miller on the final lap, Espargaro admitted that he had made a mistake as he was too focused on overtaking Suzuki’s Alex Rins in second.
“I made a big mistake on the last lap because I was only focusing on Alex to attack him for second place and I didn’t care who came,” added Espargaro.
“And that was a big mistake because I opened the door at the last chicane [into Village].
“But I think I went pretty smooth today, pretty clever, saved the rear tire so I had more traction than Jack.
“And then I was able to get my third place back, but today the podium was mine, so I was completely convinced.”