Aprilia extends Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales until 2024

Aprilia Racing is choosing continuity for the next two years by extending the contracts of Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales until 2024. It was on the sidelines of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello that the Italian brand confirmed this Thursday 26 its two pilots. With this announcement coming quite early in the season, the two Spaniards can now focus on Aprilia Racing's objective this year, winning the title while Aleix Espargaro is only 4 points behind the leader, fabio quartararo.

While many drivers are available for 2023, the Noale factory did not hesitate long to make its choice. “ I did not consider other options because I believe that continuity and consistency are the basis of performance. Stability is synonymous with performance. We don't just work with the pilots, but with the human beings, with the guys who are part of the family, he (Aleix Espargaro. Editor's note) managed to build this family with us and I see Maverick as part of our family . », Underlines Massimo Rivola, the sporting director of Aprilia.

Even more anchored in the Aprilia family

For the runner-up in the ranking, these two additional years will allow him to continue his collaboration with Aprilia which began in 2017. “ I'm very happy that this is finally happening. I think we have done a good job over the last 6 years. It's a question of team continuity and I'm very happy to stay. I will be able to be more focused and calmer on the objectives », Specifies Aleix Espargaro. 

It's official 👀@AleixEspargaro and Maverick Viñales will remain with Aprilia until 2024 🙌#MotoGP | 📰https://t.co/7NJYO5t5wG

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) May 26, 2022

However, the negotiations did not disturb the driver who won the Argentine Grand Prix on April 3. “ I have proven that in the last two months in particular, the negotiations did not really affect me because the results were good. But I know it's not that easy, it's a big brand, a big factory, so it's normal that these things take time » points out Aleix Espargaro. 

Having arrived this year at Aprilia Racing, the other Catalan of the Italian team has not yet demonstrated his full potential with this new bike, but remains confident for the next two years. “ It's never easy, but as soon as I joined the Aprilia family I felt super good, I felt it was my place to continue developing my potential and my riding style. So actually, when I received the news, I was very happy, very proud and it gives me a lot of motivation to continue and see what we are capable of doing with the Aprilia factory », explains Maverick Viñales who had experienced a complicated end of the season in 2021 at Yamaha bringing his suspension. At Mugello this Sunday, Aleix Espargaro can achieve a double victory by seizing his second victory of the season and the lead in the championship. Will we have a change of leader? Answer this Sunday, May 29 from 14:00 p.m. 

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