Aleix Espargaro Gears Up for Exciting MotoGP Wildcard Race

Honda is preparing for another wildcard entry as Aleix Espargaro aims to make his mark in the upcoming British Grand Prix. This will be the third consecutive event where Honda features a wildcard rider, embracing this strategy as the MotoGP series returns to Europe.

Espargaro, known for his extensive experience, previously raced Honda’s development bike in Spain before handing over the reins to Takaaki Nakagami in France. Now, the 35-year-old rider is set to take control of a third RC213V bike at Silverstone.

Since stepping back from full-time racing at the end of 2024, Espargaro has embraced his role as a test rider for Honda. His recent experience at the Jerez sprint race ended with him in 18th place.

After this race, he admitted that there are still several issues that need to be addressed. A particular concern he mentioned is a persistent vibration problem that becomes apparent under race conditions.

This issue is less critical during testing, making it challenging to diagnose. Espargaro elaborated on the vibration issue during a recent interview, saying, “It only appears when you are pushing the bike to the limit.”

He clarified that the issue is not tied to the bike’s power delivery but is experienced during corner entries. “The chatter is a huge problem,” he stressed.

Every other aspect of the bike functions smoothly, but resolving this chatter is essential before they face more races. In an effort to tackle this problem, Espargaro suggested that the root may lie in engine inertia.

He plans to conduct tests that official riders, restricted by regulations, cannot undertake. Discussions with Honda’s technical director, Romano Albesiano, focused on finding viable solutions to improve the bike’s performance.

With a testing landscape that allows for a more extensive exploration of bike capabilities, Espargaro’s insights are expected to play a vital role in shaping Honda’s strategy. Notably, Honda will not be present at the upcoming private test at Misano, where Yamaha will push forward with developing their 2025 M1 and V4 engine.

Both manufacturers currently enjoy specific concessions under MotoGP regulations, which enables them to carry out more thorough testing and development projects. As the season advances, Aleix Espargaro’s contributions and expertise are increasingly vital for Honda.

His upcoming race at the British Grand Prix will be closely followed by fans eager to witness his performance. This race provides not just a chance for Espargaro to showcase his riding skills, but also an opportunity for Honda to assess potential improvements to enhance their competitiveness in the ongoing championship.

Fans can look forward to an exciting race day as they watch Espargaro navigate the historic Silverstone circuit.