Confusion at Aprilia: Team manager Massimo Rivola is also counting on Maverick Vinales in MotoGP 2025, although he is also looking at other options
At the Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona, Aleix Espargaro announced his retirement at the end of the year. This made it clear that there would be a vacancy at Aprilia. However, a completely new rider duo is also conceivable, as Maverick Vinales’ stay at Aprilia is not as fixed as team manager Massimo Rivola would like.
Rivola assumes that Vinales will continue to ride one of the two factory Aprilias in 2025. On the Sunday before the Barcelona race, Rivola spoke to DAZN about the plans for the 2025 MotoGP season. “It’s confirmed,” the Italian told the Spanish TV team regarding Vinales’ future.
But Vinales, who experienced a disappointing race in Barcelona and finished twelfth, more than 22 seconds behind the leader, does not see his future at Aprilia as being as fixed as his team manager announced on Spanish television shortly beforehand.
“No, no, I’m not confirmed. I don’t have a contract for next year yet,” clarified the Austin winner when asked by Motorsport.com’s Spanish colleagues. “Obviously there is a lot of interest in continuing (together) because we are doing a very good job. “
“We have to wait,” warns Vinales against premature announcements. “There are open doors and you have to wait a little bit and then decide what is best for me in terms of performance.”
“I want to win, honestly, and I believe I have the ability to fight for the win,” Vinales explains. “I have to look carefully at what is the best option for me. I want to find out what is the most complete package that gives me the best chance, the maximum to perform at my best level,” said the former Moto3 World Champion.
But where could Vinales end up? Rumors are circulating in the paddock that the 29-year-old Spaniard is negotiating with Honda. The better pay speaks for Honda, but the current competitiveness of the RC213V is not what Vinales has in mind from a sporting perspective. Enea Bastianini and Marco Bezzecchi are the favorites to take Aleix Espargaro’s place at Aprilia