Aleix Espargaro names the weaknesses of the Aprilia RS-GP 2023 – An equivalent satellite team will be very important for analyzing the data in the future
Aprilia has defended third place in the manufacturers’ standings in the 2023 MotoGP season, but the Italian brand has fallen behind KTM. In contrast to the Austrian brand, Aprilia was able to win two races on Sunday. Nevertheless, Aleix Espargaro dropped from fourth to sixth place in the riders’ standings compared to 2022.
According to Espargaro, the 2023 RS-GP was “the best Aprilia” he has ever ridden. But the step was not big enough to really have a chance in the world championship. “The turning and stability were better than last year,” he says, analyzing his bike from the past season.
“On the negative side, we weren’t able to improve the braking performance. I think our competitors have improved stability in the braking phase. That means we have taken a step back.”
“We also haven’t improved the torque from the bottom for two years. Those are the two things I would like to see next year,” Espargaro’s demands are clear. His team-mate Maverick Vinales takes a slightly more differentiated view.
“The bike is pretty good, we just need to improve small things. If we can do that, then we have a good package. I don’t think the braking phase is too bad,” said Vinales, who is still waiting for his first win with Aprilia.
Another important point is the qualifying sessions and the starts. “I keep feeling movement in the bike, which is why I can’t ride perfect laps. But you have to do that in qualifying.”
Aprilia has made progress in this respect. At the season finale in Valencia, Vinales took his first pole position with the RS-GP. The starting systems were also a big issue. Aprilia made progress during the season
But a gray area had been explored. A new clutch had to be removed again on Phillip Island. “We had a different system, but it was then banned,” sighs Vinales. This made the starts at the last races more difficult again.
At the post-season test in Valencia, Aprilia worked on the overall balance with a new rear swingarm and on other small things. Major developments are scheduled for the Sepang test in February.
The new satellite team Trackhouse will then also be in the starting blocks. The RNF team had numerous technical problems with the 2022 motorcycles last season, which also led to a number of retirements.
“It was the first year. They made a lot of mistakes, with me and with Miguel [Oliveira],” said Raul Fernandez. “You know it. I have a lot of respect for Massimo [Rivola]. He knows that there are problems and he assures me that things will be better next year.”
Contrary to the original plans, Trackhouse is to receive motorcycles that almost match the specification of the factory team. The necessary new parts are already being produced at full speed at the factory in Noale.
“If you don’t have the same bike, it’s difficult to make good analyses,” Fernandez found out last season. “When I looked at the data from Aleix and Maverick, I couldn’t replicate that on many tracks. “
“But Miguel had more or less the same problems as me. The data from last year is also similar. We will get more information in the future. This is important so that we can get closer to the Ducati level in terms of experience.”
“You can see at Ducati on Fridays that every rider tries something different. And then on Saturday, each of them is at the front. We have to try to do the same in the future. First of all, it’s about the material, but also about the personnel in our pits.”
The new satellite team will be run directly from the Aprilia factory in Noale. The majority of the former RNF employees will take care of the bikes at the track. The detailed team structure of Trackhouse has not yet been communicated