Maverick Viñales is currently in the spotlight in MotoGP after winning and shining at the Americas GP two weeks ago. Aleix Espargaró was asked if his teammate could be a title contender, but clarified that it is necessary to stay calm and that #12, like all the top eight riders in the standings, are in the title race.
Asked about the team atmosphere after Maverick Viñales’ victory, Espargaró said: ‘Like before. We have the best atmosphere in the paddock. We still don’t have the best bike, but we are very, very close, but the team atmosphere was fantastic before the victory and continues to be fantastic now. Maybe Maverick is more relaxed because he had been looking for this victory for a long time and finally got it, he deserves it and I am happy for him and obviously for the team because it hasn’t been easy for them in recent years’.
As for whether this track, which both riders know very well, suits him more than his teammate or not, the #41 bike answered: ‘For sure Austin and Portimão are two of the most difficult tracks for me, so Jerez, no excuses, is a circuit where I have been very fast usually and the Aprilia is very good here. We got a podium three years ago and pole position last year, so I am fighting for the top and hope we can have a good race here and Maverick will also be strong because the bike is working, so no problem’.
Given the way Viñales is riding, Espargaró was asked if his teammate is a real title contender, but instead he responded by asking for calm: ‘We have to give him more time, he has credit, he has been very, very fast in America and also won with Yamaha there, so we have to give him more time, as we said today: “Maverick can win the title and Pecco [Bagnaia] can’t anymore”… it’s only three races and there is still a long way to go. Of course he is a contender, but the top eight are very close in terms of points, so everyone in the top eight can be contenders, 100%.’
