Vinales “needs a lot more” before the Aprilia MotoGP bike is his

The nine-time MotoGP race winner switched from Yamaha to Aprilia ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix after losing his ride with the latter after an irreparable loss of relationship that resulted in deliberate attempts to damage the engine on his M1 at the Styrian GP.

After using the last races of 2021 as extended test sessions on the Aprilia, Vinales continued this work at the post-season test in Jerez and took a step on braking – one of the biggest differences he has so far between the Yamaha and the Aprilia Has been established.

“Well, we’re not really trying anything specific,” he said of the testing program.

“We’re just trying to improve the feeling, especially when braking.

“It was an area where I fought a lot, especially in the races.

“But we’re making a big improvement here, with the bike and the electronics.

He added: “In the end the test is done so we are very happy with the way the bike works, especially with the brakes.

“Most of all, I was used to a bike with a different type of brakes, so I just have to readjust myself.

“The guys mainly helped me with the engine braking, to make the bike quieter when it was breaking in and to brake more comfortably.

“So that’s what we’ve been working on here: more stability, more comfort and I can brake a lot later. So amazing.

However, he admits that despite an improvement, the Aprilia RS-GP still doesn’t feel like his bike for a long time.

“No, no, not yet,” he explained. “We need a lot more things, we need more laps, more tests. Not yet.”

When asked which area of ​​the Aprilia is the weakest in terms of testing ahead of the 2022 season in February, he added, “For us it’s turning, it’s the area where we need to improve.

“But somehow we understand how to make that turn, so we’ll have to wait until Sepang to try again.

“But it’s nice that we have a clear direction. So I am very happy and very pleased with the test. “