If we analyze the movements of Maverick Vinales after the Catalan Grand Prix, in which he denied the statements of the CEO of Aprilia Racing, Massimo Rivola, about his future, we could come to the conclusion that the boy from Roses has put himself in quite a mess, given that the renewal offer he received from his current team no one is able to say whether it is still ongoing, whether it has changed or simply whether it has been withdrawn by the Noale manufacturer, which is eager to attract a driver Italian.
On Sunday in Barcelona, in a live interview on the DAZN platform, Rivola was interviewed by Jorge Lorenzo, who asked the Italian CEO if Maverick was “confirmed” for 2025, and the answer was: “Yes”.
Motorsport.com spoke to the rider the same day to try to confirm the renewal with Aprilia. “No, no, I’m not confirmed. I don’t have a contract for next year,” said the Spaniard. Despite this, Maverick maintained a positive stance: “Obviously there’s a lot of interest in continuing,” he said.
Five days later, in view of the Italian Grand Prix, the tone of the driver’s statements hardened a little more, a clear sign that things are not only not back on track. “We haven’t closed practically anything. I think they had the opportunity to close the deal after Qatar, but they wanted to wait. Now I have to think about what to do,” said Maverick on Thursday at Mugello.
Martin’s surprise signing
In the midst of this situation between Aprilia and Maverick, Rivola had the opportunity to sign Jorge Martin (on Sunday at Mugello) and he jumped at it, without Vinales being aware of the move, even though he was there on Monday a test at Mugello and all the drivers were in their motorhome set up on the circuit. And it seems that Maverick didn’t like not having information about this signature.
Vinales was in Misano last weekend, where the Aprilia All Stars was held, a weekend of meetings between fans and customers of the brand. There, GPOne.com asked the Spaniard if anything had changed after learning that “Martinator” will be an Aprilia rider for the next two years.
“It’s clear that Martin’s arrival has opened my eyes a bit to look around. It doesn’t just depend on Jorge’s arrival, there are some interesting opportunities around and I have to evaluate them carefully,” was the Catalan’s message.
Even if other manufacturers have been brought into the equation, Maverick’s words are a clear message that now, on paper, there can be a free factory Ducati next year, and this is, without a doubt, his main objective at the moment. His and that of most of the riders on the grid who don’t yet have a bike for 2025.
For this, however, they will have to be patient, because Pramac is still trying to decide whether to continue being a satellite team of Ducati for the next two years or whether to continue collaborating with Yamaha. It’s up to them to decide, and they have time to do it.
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