Last month, news of Yamaha’s factory rider, Maverick Viñales, leaving the team was finally confirmed. It was then reported that the Aprilia team, through its racing CEO, Massimo Rivola, is interested with Viñales’ services if he’s available and has no more contract obligations with Yamaha.
Lorenzo during his stint with Repsol Honda
As it turns out, it wasn’t only Viñales whom Aprilia was considering as possible riders. Former MotoGP world champion and Yamaha rider, Jorge Lorenzo, recently revealed that he too, was in talks with the Italian motorcycle maker. However, Lorenzo also revealed that Aprilia could not afford his pricetag.
“They wanted me as a rider, but I wanted to start there more as a test driver. In the end, they didn't want to invest so much to hire a world champion as a test driver,” said Lorenzo.
In fairness with Aprilia, Lorenzo at the time was fresh from an injury-ridden season with Honda, which then prompted the Spaniard to announce his retirement from MotoGP. Also, it is worth noting that Lorenzo wanted to join Aprilia on a test rider capacity only. “Hiring a driver like me is definitely more expensive. In the end, we didn't come to an agreement,” added Lorenzo.
Lorenzo in 2003
Lorenzo started racing when he was just 3 years old, when most children barely know how to walk. On his 15th birthday, he made his debut at the 125 cc Spanish Grand Prix, after having to miss practice because he was not old enough to race. He was crowned the 250 cc world champion for 2006 and 2007.
On 2010, he was crowned MotoGP world champion, which was followed by another championship in 2012 and in 2015.
