Ducati is confirming itself as the strongest manufacturer in MotoGP and has four riders in the top four positions of the general classification. The “first of the rest” is Maverick Vinales, fifth with the Aprilia and so far winner of two sprints and one long race. Only 10 points separate him from second place Pecco Bagnaia, while leader Jorge Martin is at +48. He is in the group of the best and hopes to be able to compete for the title, achieving that consistency that he has always lacked in recent years.
MotoGP, Vinales different compared to his Yamaha days
The Spanish rider’s MotoGP career has been characterized by ups and downs, today he is 29 years old and is certainly more mature, especially compared to when he broke up with Yamaha in 2021 and then decided to embrace the Aprilia project: “I believe in myself – he told Marca – and in my abilities. I know where I can go. One of the keys to that change was confidence in myself, nothing else. It was a very risky change, I had one of the best salaries in the World Cup and it’s difficult to leave something like that, especially when you have a family. It was a 100% bet on myself and it will continue to be that way“.
Vinales didn’t feel valued at Yamaha, he was convinced he could do much more and that situation had even led him to think about retiring from racing: “In Austria 2021 it was very tough – explains – because I had to face a lot of criticism for no reason. They criticized me a lot for my head. In the end it shows: give me the bike, I hit the gas and I’m in front. I don’t have any problems, I haven’t been to any psychologist or anything. This whole experience helped me to know myself better and grow, it made me stronger. As a driver I feel more complete, because I know myself and I know what works and what doesn’t. So it’s easier with the team“.
Vinales-Aprilia: will there be a renewal?
This year, Maverick became the first to win with three different brands in MotoGP. Having also triumphed with Aprilia gives him a particular taste, it is a result that arrived after a difficult path and which gives him a lot of motivation for the future: “Aprilia is a great manufacturer – he claims – and has won many titles in other categories. They are winners and will also be able to win in MotoGP. I would like to be the person who can do it. Otherwise, I hope Aleix Espargaro succeeds. Aprilia is big and will always become bigger“.
His contract expires at the end of the year and consequently he too is involved in the rumors regarding the drivers’ market. Someone revealed the existence of an offer from Honda, but Vinales has not yet made a decision: “I will think about everything, I will have to think about it carefully and learn from the past. I believe I will have various proposals, not only from Aprilia. I have to think about what I want and what will be best, for me and for my family. Obviously I love Aprilia, which gave me an opportunity, and in 2024 my commitment and involvement in the project are 200%“. There will be more reflections to do, the certain thing is that he will want to have a competitive technical package. Today the Noale team has it, so a renewal could be a good option, if the parties agree.
Aprilia reflects
Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, is evaluating many possibilities for 2025. It will certainly be crucial to understand whether Aleix Espargaro wants to continue racing or whether he will opt to retire. Anyway, it’s no secret that there are contacts with other pilots. One of these is Enea Bastianini, whose future at Ducati is uncertain. He also likes Marco Bezzecchi.
And there have been rumors about Jorge Martin, who will change brand if he is not promoted to the official Ducati team. The one in Noale could be a nice temptation. His manager is Albert Valera, the same as his great friend Espargaro who is certainly also evaluating this track for the future.
Photo: Aprilia
