Ales Espargaro has spoken about his decision to join Honda as a factory test driver from 2025.
By the time he drives his final lap at the RS-GP in Valencia, Espargaro will have spent eight seasons with Aprilia, helping them progress from the back to fighting for the top spot.
This includes Aprilia’s first 3 wins in MotoGP and 2 further sprint wins, along with 11 GP podiums to date and a leadership position throughout 2022.
Proudly wearing the nickname “Captain” – recently tattooed on his arm – it was a surprise that Espargaro did not want to step into the role of test driver for the Noale factory.
Instead, he is starting a new challenge at Honda.
“This is a really good opportunity and I am really honored to join Honda”said Espargaro. “I talked to the team leaders and they really believe in me and in me and that’s what made me go.”
“I will try to raise the technical level of the bike, which I did with Aprilia, but I will also be a team player, I will try to work with the riders, to be in the garage.”
Last in the manufacturer’s standings for the last two seasons, Honda have not won a MotoGP race since Alex Rino’s victory in Austin in 2023.
Victory looks further away than ever at the moment with the best RC213V rider, 2020 World Champion Gioan Miro, far behind in 18th place in the standings.
“They miss everything”Espargaro said with his characteristic directness.
“Imagine how difficult it is for a team like Honda, which has been winning everything, and now it ends up outside the points. This is a shock, emotionally.”
“For example, Đoan Mir is the world champion and now he can’t finish races.”
“My job at Aprilia is finished. I did everything I could. For eight seasons I worked very, very hard to help them put them at the top and I think I did a good job,” added Espargaro. “They have a good test driver in the form of Savadori, who is doing a great job.”
“It’s a good motivation and a good opportunity for me to join Honda. They’re not in the best moment, that’s for sure, so if I can help them get back to the top, it will be fantastic.”
“I think they understood that they had to change,” he added. “They believe in me and the opportunity they’ve given me is fantastic. It goes without saying, but (Honda) is the biggest brand in the paddock, so they have to be at the top in the fight for wins.”
Espargaro confirmed that he has signed to test the RC213V, together with Štefan Bradl, with the possibility of an invitational appearance.
“Yes, such performances are planned in the contract, but I don’t think this is the most important thing at the moment”, Espargaro said. “I will race without problems, I think I have proved that I am still fast, even if I am 34 years old.”
“I still have 4-5 years when I will be very fast in terms of speed, but the most important are Đoan and Luka, so I will try to help them.”
Marini took his first world championship point as a Honda rider after being promoted to 15th in Germany on Sunday following several tire pressure penalties.
Espargaro missed the German Grand Prix with a hand injury suffered a week earlier in Assen, but now has a summer break to recover before Silverstone.
Source: www.moto-berza.com
