Aprilia racer Maverick Vinales has long been on the cusp of a breakthrough with the Italian factory. He achieved a significant milestone by winning a MotoGP race with three different factories at the Portuguese Grand Prix. However, it has taken him longer than expected to secure a victory on the RS-GP, especially considering his teammate Aleix Espargaro’s success since Vinales joined Aprilia. This raises the question of what changed at Portimao and whether it signifies the beginning of a new era.
Vinales’ win at Portimao should be viewed with caution, as there have been numerous false starts in his career. Despite his impressive performance in testing and early success with Yamaha, he struggled to maintain consistent wins in the following years before parting ways with the team in 2021. Aprilia saw an opportunity to sign Vinales after his split with Yamaha and brought him in as their leading racer. However, his journey with the team has been inconsistent, with moments of brilliance but also periods of struggle. In 2024, it was Espargaro who stood out as Aprilia’s top performer, making it difficult to interpret Vinales’ victory as a permanent shift.
The key difference at Portimao appears to be Vinales’ confidence, which has been a weakness in the past. He admitted that he had long believed he should be winning on the RS-GP and expressed relief at finally achieving that goal. Vinales demonstrated his superiority in lap times during practice sessions, consistently outperforming his Aprilia peers. His teammate Espargaro acknowledged Vinales’ exceptional performance and attributed it to his ability to release the front brake earlier and accelerate better. Other riders also noted Vinales’ skill in managing the rear tire and his impressive traction. They believe that if Vinales can do it, they can too.
Despite some elements of luck, such as Pecco Bagnaia’s mistake, Aprilia is grateful for Vinales’ performance at Portimao. He overcame illness and outperformed the rest of the team, making a statement with his performance. However, this ride alone cannot guarantee his future with Aprilia. While Vinales is undoubtedly a talented rider, his best version needs to consistently emerge on race weekends, regardless of the track. Aprilia took a risk by signing Vinales, but retaining him for 2025 would no longer be punching above their weight. The team needs reassurance that Vinales can consistently perform at his peak level, as sporadic flashes of brilliance are not enough for a factory team with high ambitions.