Aleix Espargaro, initially considered a favorite for Sunday’s full-distance race at the Losail International Circuit, faced a stark contrast of expectations as he struggled to secure a podium finish.
Despite showing promising pace in the sprint race, where he claimed third position, Espargaro’s hopes of victory quickly diminished as he plummeted from second to ninth place on the opening lap of the grand prix.
Attributing his poor performance to a rear tire issue, Espargaro expressed his frustration at the stark difference in pace compared to his expectations of winning the race.
Describing the race as a “nightmare” due to his inability to find traction and maintain speed, Espargaro admitted feeling embarrassed by his slow lap times during the event.
While Espargaro managed to secure sixth place in the championship despite the setback, he lamented the missed opportunity for a stronger result, particularly after his impressive performance in the sprint race.
Reflecting on his tire troubles, Espargaro highlighted the stark contrast between his performance during testing and the race, emphasizing the need to investigate the issue further with Michelin and his team.
Meanwhile, Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Vinales finished in 10th place, contributing to an underwhelming outing for Aprilia, which had shown potential during pre-season testing.
Vinales acknowledged the team’s need for improvement and adaptation to the new bike design, particularly in areas such as acceleration and race starts, where Aprilia has made significant strides.
Despite the disappointing results in Qatar, Vinales remained optimistic about the team’s progress and emphasized the importance of addressing balance and aerodynamic issues to optimize performance in future races.
