Aleix Espargaro has been racing full-time in MotoGP since 2012 and has been with the Aprilia team since 2017, a period in which he developed a winning package. His current contract with the Italian brand expires at the end of this year and he has given himself until the Italian Grand Prix to check his form before deciding which path to take.
If he remains a regular rider, he says he will continue with Aprilia only, but has not ruled out the idea of becoming a test rider. “That's a great question. I don't know. I hope Aprilia offers me a new job, but that's not the important thing,” he began. “The important thing is to understand whether I want to stay or not. I haven't decided yet. I want to wait a little longer. I want to wait at least until Mugello to see how I will behave and then I will decide.”
“I'm having fun this year, but I want to fight for the top 5 in every race. Otherwise, this contract will be the last. I'm trying to figure out what the best future is for me. I don't think my future will be racing anywhere other than Aprilia. If I run full time, that is. So, if I continue, I will stay in Aprilia”, continued the Granollers rider, going into detail.
However, the doubts are very strong and we are only at the third race of the season: “Maybe I will decide to stop and do some wildcards as a test driver, or maybe I will decide to stop completely. I have to decide, but I really haven't decided yet. I want to be competitive, that's my obsession right now. I want to finish on the podium every weekend. Then I will decide.”
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Espargaro says the idea of becoming a test rider has become more attractive in recent years, having seen how important this role has become with the work of Ducati and Michele Pirro. When asked if the allure of being a test pilot has grown for him, he responded: “A lot. It's a new job, a new role, it didn't exist five years ago. Now we understand how important it is. Ducati and Pirro changed the game six years ago. And now we see it with Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro, in KTM.
“Yamaha and Honda need to strengthen their test teams. Theirs are not at the level of the Italian ones or KTM. So, everything can change and I think it's also a good opportunity for me. That's why I'm thinking about it. It's something I like, I've had a lot of fun over the last six, seven years developing the Aprilia. I think we did a great job. I've learned a lot of things and it's also exciting for the future,” concluded the Catalan.
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