The Aprilia RS-GP's overheating problems during races in scorching temperatures have become a real thorn in the side of the Italian brand. For several seasons, Aprilia riders have suffered from excessive temperatures on their motorcycles, which has a direct impact on their performance and health.
Aleix Espargaró did not mince words in addressing the ongoing problems ofAprilia linked to high temperatures during MotoGP races. According to the Spanish driver, the brand has encountered the same difficulties since the tests of 2018and the recent races in
Malaysia and in Thailand have once again highlighted these weaknesses.
In recent years, pilots ofAprilianotably
Maverick Viñaleswere often forced to abandon due to the oppressive heat.
Vinales he himself had to throw in the towel at last year's Thai Grand Prix, underscoring the seriousness of the problem.
When asked if the RS-GP's aerodynamic packaging was to blame for these concerns, Espargaro answered frankly: “ in fact, this question is also the one I ask engineers, but they don't really know. This aerodynamic heaviness doesn't help, that's for sure. We try to close everything, add a lot of aero, so it doesn't help. But it's a problem we've had since the first season. I remember that the first test with Scott Redding in Thailand was a nightmareand we never progressed. »
Aleix Espargaró: « It’s not just about fitness; this also impacts the equipment: the fuel pump, the tires, the brakes, the Aprilia engine »
Heat not only affects the physical condition of the riders, but it also has repercussions on the performance of the motorcycle itself. Espargaro revealed: “ over the last three or four seasons,
we suffered a lot from the temperatures. It's not just about fitness; this also impacts the equipment: the fuel pump, the tires, the brakes. The engine was extremely slow, although it was fast in Australia. »
He concluded by emphasizing that for theAprilia of tomorrow can compete, the question of heat management must be resolved as a priority: “
the base of the motorcycle is not that bad, but with these temperatures, it is impossible for everything to work well. For the Aprilia of the future, this is the first thing to solve if we want to improve.
»
With these challenges in mind, it will be crucial to
Aprilia to adapt its machines and work on its weaknesses to hope for a more competitive future in MotoGP.
