The uncertain future of Aleix Espargar: Aprilia still hasn’t renewed the Spaniard’s contract! Is the team waiting for a big transfer?

Although Aleix Espargaro has been achieving great results this year in particular and is struggling with excellent form, he has not yet got a new contract on the table and it is currently a big question whether he will even receive an offer to extend it. Is the team going to make any changes?

The thirty-two-year-old Spanish rider fended off an attack from home rider Fabio Quartara at the recent round in France and Espargaro scored another podium for Aprilia.

Meanwhile, it was his third podium for the Aprilia factory team driver this year! The fourth overall in his career so far. What none of the fans and experts expected was that Espargaro would be second in the drivers’ championship after seven races.

With 131 points, Aprilia Racing even leads the Constructors’ Cup, leaving behind brands such as Yamaha, Suzuki and the superb Ducati.

However, he has no new contract with Aprilia, and Espargaro himself noted that he currently knows of no reason why the team has not come forward with an offer of a new contract.

“Honestly, I have no words. I don’t have any explanation for what is happening at the moment, I don’t understand. I’ m enjoying this year a lot, I have the bike I’ve always dreamed of,” Espargaro told MotoGP after the race at Le Mans.

“I’m extremely happy for the results we’re getting, the balance of performance I can ride with. I’m very confident that we can fight for the title this year, even though I’m not thinking about it too much right now and I’m trying to enjoy every moment,” he explained.

“Now I’m only four points behind Fabio, I have 100 points after seven races and we’re leading the team championship. That’s crazy. Of course it will help me to know what my future will be as soon as possible, it will give me some peace of mind. I’ve finished on the podium almost every race, winning every race is already very difficult. So there’s nothing more I can do,” Espargaro concluded.

The question is what Aprilia is really waiting for. Could it be related to the end of Suzuki in MotoGP, and therefore the involvement of one of the pair Joan Mir – Alex Rins?

It is Mir and Rins who are only under contract with Suzuki until the end of this season, and both have expressed their interest in continuing with the team. But in the past few days, Suzuki Ecstar has officially confirmed their departure.

So what will happen to the 2020 champion and a rider who also has the qualities to win the title?

According to earlier information from Motorsport , Mir could move to a Honda factory team (Honda Repsol – ed.), where he would replace Pol Espargar. This would give Honda a really strong driver line-up. Mir would become a teammate of Marc Márquez.

But the big question mark now hangs over Rins. According to the latest speculation, Rins is interested in a seat on the Red Bull KTM team, but there have been no serious discussions about his future.

Rins has made no secret of the fact that he has ambitions to challenge for the title, which a link-up with the Aprilia team would fulfil. But the fact remains that last season was not a good one for Rins, although he did finish third overall in 2020.

The second, and no less important factor, is how much, if at all, Aprilia would improve by engaging Rins over Espargar. So as far as the situation surrounding the Aprilia rider is concerned, it looks more likely that a contract extension will happen after all. However, we will have to wait for some official information.

Sources: Aprilia Racing, Motorsport, MotoGP