Two Aprilias in the top ten on Friday in Austria

ESPARGARÓ SEVENTH AND VIÑALES EIGHTH STRAIGHT TO Q2, SAVADORI KEEPS DEVELOPING THE RS-GP

The FP1 session was particularly eventful for Aleix Espargaró, involved in two crashes without consequences. Despite the initial difficulties, in the practice session, the Spanish rider demonstrated his speed in his various time-attack attempts, finishing seventh to go straight through to Q2.

Maverick Viñales used some of his outings to find the right feeling with his RS-GP24, but when the time came for his time-attacks, the Spanish rider proved to be competitive, which allowed him to finish eighth, clinching a spot in Q2.

Lorenzo Savadori’s work continues during his fourth wild card of the season. Along with the Aprilia Test Team, he is developing the RS-GP both in view of the future and in support of the factory team’s efforts.

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
“It was actually a positive day, considering how difficult this track is for us. After two crashes in free practice, we did some good work and the Team improved the bike quite a bit in the afternoon. I’m satisfied with the competitiveness demonstrated during the practice session, although I am still trying to find my race pace.”

MAVERICK VIÑALES
“I am happy because it was a difficult day, but we saved it in the end. Being in Q2 is fundamental. I’m fast in the time-attack, but my race pace is still rather far from where I would like to be. We need to continue analysing the data carefully to improve.”

LORENZO SAVADORI
“At the beginning, I started with the base bike and was fast straight away, so that was some nice confirmation. Obviously, having to test new things, performance remains on the back burner. It was still a positive day and some interesting things came out for development of the bike.”

PAOLO BONORA
“The weekend started off uphill on a track which is historically not easy for Aprilia. Nevertheless, we managed to improve in the practice session, achieving our goal of being in the top ten thanks to two outstanding laps by Aleix and Maverick. We definitely need to keep working to be ready for the sprint race. On the other side of the garage, Lorenzo continues to advance technical development positively in view of the 2025 season.”