In the eyes of Maverick Viñales, the appointment in Termas de Río Hondo was vital because it had to confirm the good feelings that, together with his team, he found in the warm up of the previous grand prix, in Mandalika.
The modifications in the set-up that sought to gain stability in the front end of the RS-GP had to be confirmed in another scenario in order to continue advancing in the development of the prototype and the progression of the pilot. And they did from the start.
The second place in the second free trial was followed by the fifth that he occupied in the second qualifying round (Q2), and the ratification came on Sunday, with the seventh final position.
Until now, his best Sunday for the Noale manufacturer ended with the eighth place obtained in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last year, even though on that occasion he finished 18.6 seconds behind the winner. This time, in Argentina, he did it 6.5 seconds behind his neighbor in the workshop, and there is no better reflection than that of the leap in quality made by the boy from Roses (Girona).
“This is a very good result for us. We worked for it throughout the winter. Yesterday [on Saturday] I already thought that [Aleix Espargaró] could win, because he had something more than the rest,” Viñales summed up.
“It’s very good to finish in the top ten. We improved the bike and my partner won, so we can’t ask for much more. This race was one of the most important of the season because we had to ensure the improvement given in the Mandalika warm up “added the Catalan, who for most of the race had a showy battle with Pecco Bagnaia and Luca Marini, while fighting with them for fifth place.
For #12, the victory of his friend and workshop neighbor will have many effects, all of them positive. In the morale of the troop and in the perception that it has outside the aspirations of the brand for which it runs.
“Aleix has shown that this bike has the potential to win. This victory will change the image of the team, and that is also important”, reflected Viñales, who gives himself time “until Jerez (May 1), to give the maximum with the Aprilia”.
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
