The 34-year-old has been racing full-time in MotoGP since 2012 and has been with Aprilia since 2017, creating the RS-GP right into a race-winning bundle in that point.
His present contract with the Italian marque expires on the finish of the yr and he’s giving himself till the Italian Grand Prix in Might to see the place his type is at earlier than deciding on a route to take.
If he stays a racer, he says he’ll proceed solely with Aprilia, but in addition hasn’t dominated out the thought of changing into a take a look at rider.
“This can be a excellent query. I don’t know. Hopefully, Aprilia will supply a brand new job for me, however this isn’t the necessary factor,” he started. “The necessary factor is to grasp if I wish to keep or not. I haven’t actually determined but.
“I wish to wait just a little bit extra. I wish to wait a minimum of till Mugello to see how I carry out, after which I’ll resolve. I’m having enjoyable this yr, however I wish to struggle on high 5 each race. If not, it [the contract] would be the final one.
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“I’m attempting to grasp what the most effective future for me is. I don’t assume my future shall be racing in one other place aside from Aprilia. If I’m racing full-time, I imply.
“So, if I’m racing, I’ll keep in Aprilia. However perhaps I resolve to cease and do some wildcards as a take a look at rider, or perhaps I resolve to totally cease.
“I have to resolve, however actually I haven’t determined but. I wish to carry out. That is my obsession proper now. I wish to end on the rostrum each weekend. Then I’ll resolve.”
Espargaro says the thought of changing into a take a look at rider has turn into extra engaging lately because of Ducati “altering the sport” with Michele Pirro.
Requested if the attraction of being a take a look at rider has grown for him, he mentioned: “Rather a lot. It’s a brand new job, a brand new position, that didn’t exist 5 years in the past. Now we perceive how necessary it’s.
“Ducati and Pirro modified the sport six years in the past. And now you see with Dani [Pedrosa], Pol [Espargaro], in KTM.
“Yamaha and Honda have to step up their take a look at group. Their testing isn’t on the degree of the Italians or KTM take a look at groups. So, every part can change and it’s additionally a great alternative for me.
“That is why I’m serious about it. It’s one thing that I like, I’ve had a whole lot of enjoyable during the last six, seven years creating the Aprilia. I believe we did a very good job. So, I discovered a whole lot of issues and it’s additionally thrilling for the longer term.”