For Espargaro and Vinales, the new satellite team has not been a support so far – Espargaro also criticizes Fernandez, from whom he expected more
With the expansion of the MotoGP project to a satellite team, Aprilia motorsport boss Massimo Rivola has installed an important cornerstone. With four bikes in the field, more data can be collected, which is very important for the engineers especially with the current tight schedule on a race weekend.
RNF will race with the RS-GP from last year. That will remain the case for the time being, according to technical director Romano Albesiano. Only when a new set of technical regulations comes into force in 2027 will the satellite team also receive the current motorcycle. That’s the plan.
But from the rider’s point of view, the addition of the second team hasn’t helped much at all so far. “I don’t understand what’s going on at RNF,” says Aleix Espargaro. “Their bike is vintage 2022 and ours is 2023, but practically they are identical.”
“I don’t want to speak badly about RNF and their riders, but I really don’t understand what’s going on there. I don’t know how to sort through what’s going on in their pit. There was no race where they were competitive. They have two good riders and good bikes.”
“I don’t know,” Espargaro notes critically. Miguel Oliveira’s best result so far was fourth at Silverstone. Raul Fernandez has eighth place at Misano as his best result. In the team standings RNF is in eighth place after Thailand.
His teammate Maverick Vinales sees things somewhat differently than Espargaro. But also for his work the satellite team does not play a role. “Personally, I like to work for myself,” says Vinales. “I try to go my own way.”
“I don’t look much at Raul or Miguel. Their bike is a little different. They have a factory bike, but it’s not the same. So the data can often be confusing. I focus on my work. “
“Because I know that next year I will be stronger at every track because I found something this year. For me as a rider, a satellite team is not important. Maybe it is for Aprilia, for the brand.”
“Of course, it would be nice if all the riders would ride the same bike. Then we would have more information. But it hasn’t helped me at all so far. We don’t work as a team. Everyone follows their own path. That hasn’t helped either.”
At the Monday test after the Misano race, Oliveira was allowed to ride the 2023 RS-GP for a few laps. His impression was that the bike was “a little better everywhere.” Espargaro found words of praise at the time that Oliveira was allowed to ride the current bike.
Aleix Espargaro: “More expected from Raul Fernandez “
The Spaniard, however, has critical words for his compatriot Fernandez: “The reality is that I honestly expected more from Raul. Of the young talents, I count him among the best drivers.”
“Last year he had his first season, but not with the best bike and not with the best team. But this year he has a winning bike. Last year I won races on it. “
Espargaro compares the situation with VR46. Marco Bezzecchi was able to win races with last year’s Ducati. RNF so far has not. The fact that Fernandez in particular has not been able to take off and show his talent so far therefore surprises him.
“Raul still has to improve. He’s also doing it step by step. Hopefully he will become one of the important guys. Everyone at Aprilia believes in him. He is a talented rider, but I would have expected better results,” Espargaro reiterated.
Raul Fernandez counters the statements
The 23-year-old doesn’t care about the veteran’s statements, however. “It doesn’t affect me at all,” Fernandez waves it off. “I don’t. I’m doing my thing. We’re in the satellite team and we have to use our material to the maximum.”
“With all due respect, but since Misano we’ve been going faster than them if we compare the times with last year. We can’t do more than that. Everyone has improved. So have we, but with the same bike. We’re giving everything. “
“Since Misano I feel competitive and closer to them. I’m also always with Miguel on the track. We are getting the maximum out of it. I can’t come and win in MotoGP right away.”
“It’s not an easy bike,” Fernandez also holds. “It took Maverick a year to adjust to it. For me, it took half a year. All I can say is that with the same material we are as good or faster than them. With Aleix I also have a very good relationship.”
