End of privileges for Aprilia in MotoGP 

Until the day before the race MotoGP of the Spanish GP, Aprilia was still the only manufacturer to benefit from certain advantages, or concessions, offered by the regulations. The Noale factory was therefore authorized to use up to nine engines per season compared to seven for its counterparts. These engines could be developed during the year while the others must compete in the season with a single specification. Also, Aprilia could make several updates to its aerodynamic fairing. With other manufacturers, only one update is possible during the year. 

Another advantage, and not the least, the factory had the right to do tests with its regular drivers whenever it wanted and where it wanted within the limit of a certain number of tires. She is allowed up to six wildcards per season, compared to three for her competitors. Depending on its results, a manufacturer who benefits from these advantages scores points: 1 point for a third place, 2 for a second place and 3 for a victory. 

Soaking in the post-race atmosphere! 🙌@AleixEspargaro was understandably elated as he thanked the fans at Jerez! 👏#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/kGlBRHGPEw

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) May 3, 2022

Last year, during the British GP at Silverstone, Aleix Espargaro gave Aprilia its very first podium in the premier class since Jeremy McWilliams' third place in 2000 on British territory, but this time at Donington Park. Since the opening of the season in Qatar, the Catalan achieved his very first success by winning at the Argentine GP. He then finished third in Portimão and then in Jerez a few days ago. 

Result: with a victory and three third places, Aprilia now has 6 points and immediately loses the right to test with its regular drivers as it sees fit. “We are seven points behind the leader, so the bike is working well,” said Aleix Espargaro during the press conference following the race in Jerez. It's right to lose concessions and fight on equal terms. I believe a lot in the Aprilia engineers and I know they will be more stressed in Noale, but I don't think things will change much. »

And to continue: “We had a test planned after Mugello, but it's good, I will spend more time at home and I will have more time to cycle. I'm not stressed (…)  The hardest part was reaching this level. Now it's a matter of making the engine last a bit longer, but I think they'll get there. »

Aprilia can still benefit from other technical advantages during the year, but the factory will lose them all next season. We will have to see if this will influence the development and rise of RS-GP. KTM lost its concessions in 2020 and seems to have experienced a slight decline since…