Espargaro was within the struggle for a top-five place when his RS-GP abruptly slowed on lap eight of Saturday’s 12-lap race, forcing him into the pits and into retirement.
It follows an analogous episode in final weekend’s Indian Grand Prix, however whereas Espargaro put that downside right down to the extreme warmth on the Buddh Worldwide Circuit, this time he was quite a bit a loss to clarify what triggered the issue.
“I do not perceive what is going on on; the issues of the previous are coming again,” a visibly pissed off Espargaro advised reporters post-race. “I do not actually know what to say.
“In Buddh one a part of the bike was broken in qualifying, and one other within the race. Right now, it occurred once more.
“I believe on the subject of the races I am proving to be very aggressive. This time I used to be [fighting for] fifth once more, using very quick.
“I am unable to do any extra, and this could take away the keenness and the need from anybody. Proper now I might select to go residence.
“One of many cylinder banks of the engine stopped, and the bike would not go over 80km/h. This time, in contrast to Buddh, the engine has been broken and we’ve to alter it.
“It is true that we’ve issues when it is extremely popular, however I do not suppose this was the issue, as a result of the temperature right here isn’t prefer it was in India.”
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Staff
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
After rising as a title contender with Aprilia for the primary time final 12 months, Espargaro suffered a notable drop-off in kind in the direction of the top of the 12 months, failing to complete within the prime eight within the closing 5 races of the season.
That included a motorbike downside that pressured him to begin from the pits at Motegi final 12 months, and one other downside within the Valencia finale that pressured him to retire.
“It all the time occurs within the second half of the championship, not within the first half,” identified Espargaro.
“The engineers might imagine it is a matter of unhealthy luck as a result of it is a small half like this. However I do not consider in unhealthy luck, so it ought to be investigated.”
After Espargaro’s exit, Aprilia got here away with a single level from the dash as Maverick Vinales got here residence ninth, with Raul Fernandez finishing the highest 10 on his RNF-run satellite tv for pc RS-GP.
