The 34-year-old has been racing full-time in MotoGP since 2012 and has been with Aprilia since 2017, growing the RS-GP right into a race-winning bundle in that point.
His present contract with the Italian marque expires on the finish of the yr and he’s giving himself till the Italian Grand Prix in Could to see the place his type is at earlier than deciding on a route to take.
If he stays a racer, he says he’ll proceed solely with Aprilia, but additionally hasn’t dominated out the concept of changing into a check rider.
“It is a superb query. I don’t know. Hopefully, Aprilia will supply a brand new job for me, however this isn’t the essential factor,” he started. “The essential factor is to know if I need to keep or not. I haven’t actually determined but.
“I need to wait slightly bit extra. I need to wait at the least till Mugello to see how I carry out, after which I’ll resolve. I’m having enjoyable this yr, however I need to combat on prime 5 each race. If not, it [the contract] would be the final one.
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
“I’m attempting to know what the very best future for me is. I don’t assume my future will likely be racing in one other place apart from Aprilia. If I’m racing full-time, I imply.
“So, if I’m racing, I’ll keep in Aprilia. However possibly I resolve to cease and do some wildcards as a check rider, or possibly I resolve to totally cease.
“I have to resolve, however actually I haven’t determined but. I need to carry out. That is my obsession proper now. I need to end on the rostrum each weekend. Then I’ll resolve.”
Espargaro says the concept of changing into a check rider has turn into extra engaging lately resulting from Ducati “altering the sport” with Michele Pirro.
Requested if the enchantment of being a check rider has grown for him, he stated: “Quite a bit. It’s a brand new job, a brand new position, that didn’t exist 5 years in the past. Now we perceive how essential it’s.
“Ducati and Pirro modified the sport six years in the past. And now you see with Dani [Pedrosa], Pol [Espargaro], in KTM.
“Yamaha and Honda have to step up their check crew. Their testing shouldn’t be on the stage of the Italians or KTM check groups. So, all the pieces can change and it’s additionally a great alternative for me.
“For this reason I’m enthusiastic about it. It’s one thing that I like, I’ve had lots of enjoyable during the last six, seven years growing the Aprilia. I believe we did a extremely good job. So, I discovered lots of issues and it’s additionally thrilling for the longer term.”
