Maverick Vinales Detects Problems with Aprilia 2024 Aerodynamics

RiderTua.com – Maverick Vinales may have been one of those missing from the camera spotlight in the first race of the MotoGP season. The Spaniard did not stand out throughout the Qatar MotoGP session, either in practice or the race, and unlike teammate Aleix Espargaro who qualified at the front and finished on the podium in the Sprint Race, Vinales barely managed to get into the top 10 alone.

A poor Q2 session saw the 29-year-old relegated to tenth on the starting grid, half a second behind the pole time set by Jorge Martin. In the Sprint race, Maverick could only gain one place until crossing the finish line in ninth position, and on Sunday, in the main race of the weekend, the Catalan rider saw the checkered flag in the same position as his starting position, 10th place. ..

Maverick Vinales Detects Problems with Aprilia 2024 Aerodynamics

“Of course there is still room for improvement. We talked about the details. When you are behind, it is very difficult, the same thing always happens, the tire heats up and much more. You press and the temperature rises,” explained Vinales.

Vinales believes his lack of pace in Qatar was due to the failure of the 2024 RS-GP, a completely new bike, which requires more data to progress, the Spaniard said. Maverick assured that in Qatar he also saw a lot of good points on the bike, how and where they can improve the bike, and although he is not happy with the result, because he believes Aprilia’s level and potential can be higher, “I am satisfied with what I can contribute now to the team and with what I have seen,” he said.

Among the positive things that Vinales observed, was a good start, arguing that this year’s bikes have very good acceleration, they have improved in that aspect, thus solving one of the weak points that Maverick has long endured.

Asked about areas that need improvement, Maverick pointed to the way they brake, he explained that all the aerodynamics are now pushing the front tire in the wrong direction, they have to take that into account and improve in this sector. The rear tire was fantastic until the final this time, but Vinales had run out of energy.

The Spaniard recalls that, due to his riding style, he is not one of the riders who pushes the front tire too much, this could be a sign that we are wrong with the balance of the bike, and believes that Aprilia knows how to solve this problem quickly, considering that the next Portimao series will held on the weekend of March 23 and 24.

There, in Portugal, Maverick hopes it will be a completely different story, that’s for sure. “It’s a completely different track, no one has the data, and there are also different grip conditions, maybe that works in our favor,” said Vinales, who will land in Portimao in 10th overall, 24 points clear of the leaders, Pecco Bagnaia.