The year 2022 marks an important moment for Aprilia Racing in its young history in MotoGP. In fact, the Italian team obtains Factory Team status, one more step in a growth trend evident over the last two seasons, the highlight of which was the podium at Silverstone last year, a result that Aprilia had never reached this level in its history in MotoGP.
At the end of season 2021, Aleix Espargaró finished eighth overall in the championship, gaining nine positions and tripling the points he had achieved in previous seasons. It is an excellent result which is only the starting point for the 2022 evolution, a season where Aprilia will be on the grid with a deeply revised RS-GP compared to what has proven to be a good technical base .
Not only the results, but above all the gap behind the best drivers (never so constant in the history of the brand), convinced the engineers of the racing department to concentrate their work on all areas of performance. Without revolutionizing, but with the capacity for innovation that has always distinguished Aprilia's efforts in competition.
The new RS-GPs will be driven by a trio of high-level drivers. Alongside the “team captain” Aleix Espargaró, Maverick Vinales, new member of the Aprilia family, will pilot the RS-GP. Lorenzo Savadori, the young driver who has made steady progress since his debut in an extremely demanding category, will play the dual role of test driver and wildcard driver.
Aleix Espargaro: « I can't wait to get back on the track with my team. After many years together, they are no longer just mechanics and technicians. They are truly part of my family and from that perspective the winter break always seems too long. I am extremely motivated. Although the years have passed, I am still as hungry as when I started and I am at the peak of my physical form. For the first tests, I chose a helmet with graphics dedicated to Aprilia's first podiums in the different categories, including the one we achieved together at Silverstone. This seems like the right way to kick off the season and pay homage to this brand’s great racing heritage. The objective is obviously to add other images to this gallery. »
Maverick Vinales: « As soon as I arrived in this team, I understood that I had been chosen for a specific purpose: to bring Aprilia to the top of modern MotoGP. This is the goal we all pursue. I don't think it's fair to make predictions. I prefer to focus on the work to be done and on the preparation because I believe that the results are the direct consequence of our efforts. We were very fortunate to get to know each other in advance, do a few errands together and begin to understand each other's needs. We will have to exploit this advantage as much as possible. I am very satisfied with the work done by the racing department during the winter and all that remains is to show our progress on the track. »
Lorenzo Savadori: « The role of test rider is extremely important in MotoGP, even if I have to participate in wildcard races. Everyone at Aprilia is working hard to make RS-GP even better. We are competing in a category where continued investment of time, resources and effort is essential. The general level of our opponents is extremely high, but we are progressing and we must continue this trend. I have been part of this project since 2020 and I have progressed together with the RS-GP, a motorcycle that has constantly and progressively improved, and I am convinced that it will take a new step during this new season . »
Massimo Rivola: « It's an important season. We arrive in MotoGP as a factory team precisely on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Aprilia's first GP world championship title, won with Alex Gramigni. It's a big responsibility, but also an extra motivation. The racing department is now a group of highly skilled individuals who work extremely well together and with a strong Italian imprint that we are extremely proud of. We are working well and the competitiveness we showed last year should only be a starting point. Season 21 was good, but we need to forget about it right away and look to the future. In my opinion, the 2022 RS-GP will be the best looking bike on the grid and I hope it will also be one of the fastest. I think we've done some important work, certain of the direction we've taken. We have three top pilots: the “team captain” Aleix and a great champion like Maverick who we get to know better and better every day. Lorenzo will be our test pilot. Despite a season conditioned by injuries, he showed significant growth and he will be of great help in developing the project. »
Romano Albesiano: « The 2022 RS-GP is a profound evolution of the exceptional base used in 2021. We have focused on the main areas of performance. The engine underwent significant internal modifications, retaining the previous layout. Aerodynamics are constantly evolving and the chassis architecture and software areas have been revised with the aim of improving important aspects such as braking, acceleration and departure strategy. We have three riders with very different characteristics, both physically and in terms of riding style, and this means we are able to develop a bike that is effective for a wider range of needs. In recent years we have seen an increase in performance, including our own, which is why we worked particularly hard during the winter break. I am convinced that we will have good cards to play in the 2022 championship season. »
