Aprilia Racing have confirmed the arrival of Maverick Vinales for the 2022 MotoGP season, with the Spaniard joining countryman Aleix Espargaro at the team.
Vinales, who is currently suspended from his Yamaha team after being accused of attempting to blow up his engine deliberately, will therefore replace Lorenzo Savadori next year.
The nine-time MotoGP winner has signed a one-year deal with an option for 2023.
“We are extremely happy to announce that we have signed Maverick Viñales, a very high-level rider and one of the purest talents in the premier category,” commented Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO.
“Our project has now been enriched with the value that Maverick brings – a World Champion who has confirmed his talent as a top rider in MotoGP – at a time of great change, after bringing a completely revamped bike to the track and having consistently established ourselves in the group of protagonists, we are also facing a switch in status as a Factory Team now, in order to take Aprilia to success.
“We are honoured to be able to make all of our best skills available to Viñales along with our enthusiasm and our passion. I am confident that, like Aleix, he will embrace this extremely high-potential project. The arrival of Maverick in no way distances Lorenzo Savadori from the team, as he will remain an integral part of the Aprilia Racing family.”
Vinales had been linked with a move to Aprilia for many weeks, having officially confirmed his departure from Yamaha in June. The rider is currently suspended by the team for his actions during the Styrian Grand Prix and missed last weekend’s Austrian round as a result.
It’s expected Yamaha will part ways with Vinales early, potentially fast-tracking his departure and opening up the opportunity for Vinales to join Aprilia sooner.
