FIRST LOOK: Aprilia unveils 2024 MotoGP livery for Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales

The factory Aprilia team of Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales unwrapped its 2024 MotoGP livery at the Lusail circuit on Sunday, on the eve of the Qatar test.

In the continued absence of a title sponsor, the factory's familiar black, red and white has been tweaked for the upcoming campaign, including more purple touches.

But the bike itself has been more heavily modified.

"There are a lot of differences [for the 2024 bike],"  said technical director Romano Albesiano. 

"The aero is the most evident, especially the rear, which is totally new. 

"But also the frame, chassis, swingarm, engine components and electronics... There are a lot of new parts."

After taking a first MotoGP victory for Aprilia in Argentina 2022, Espargaro remained in the title fight until the penultimate round.

But despite doubling his victory tally last year, with Grand Prix wins at Silverstone and Barcelona, plus a Sprint victory, the Spaniard slipped to sixth in the final standings.

"Last year we were lacking the consistency to battle all the way to the end, but we still demonstrated that we are a tough rival for everyone," Espargaro said. "It won’t be simple because, even if it seemed impossible, the level in MotoGP has increased even more [for 2024]."

Vinales was just two points behind Espargaro during his best yet Aprilia campaign but – runner-up three times, including to Espargaro in Catalunya - his victory drought since Qatar 2021, with Yamaha, continued.

The 29-year-old was confident he had found a set-up that finally provided consistent speed in hot conditions at the end of last season, but so far it hasn’t translated to the 2024 RS-GP and he was 12th at the Sepang test.

"The first tests confirmed the extremely high level of the championship. Practically every rider and every bike on the grid have the potential to battle for the podium. This makes the challenge even more intriguing," Vinales said.

By contrast, Espargaro felt comfortable from his first laps on the 2024 bike.

The 34-year-old finished the Sepang test in fifth place, as the top non-Ducati, and praised the mid-corner performance from the futuristic high-downforce machine. However, engine performance and braking remains a concern in a race situation.

" I feel like I'm ready - physically and mentally - and I believe in the work that the Aprilia staff has carried out," Espargaro said.

The Qatar test takes place on Monday and Tuesday, at the same Lusail venue where the season-opener will be held on March 8-10.

There will be three 2024 spec RS-GPs on the grid with the addition of factory support for Trackhouse rider Miguel Oliveira. 

His team-mate Raul Fernandez will be upgraded during the season, although the rules mean he will need to keep the 2023-spec engine.

"Over the last few years, Aprilia Racing has undertaken a constant growth process," said Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola. "First becoming a factory team, and then putting four bikes on the track thanks to the satellite team. 

"In 2024, we’ll raise the bar even higher, since Miguel Oliveira will be starting the season on an RS-GP with the same specs as the factory bikes and Raùl will receive it subsequently. 

"This is a significant effort for the racing department, but it is also a sign of this project’s evolution on all fronts. It has not been simple and the season promises to be even more demanding, but at the same time, I believe in the potential of our team. And I am proud of what we have demonstrated thus far, both from a technical point of view and in terms of dedication and commitment. 

"We want to be protagonists in MotoGP and we have everything we need to be able to make that happen. We have four highly qualified riders like Aleix, Maverick, Miguel, and Raùl, a racing department that is courageous and capable of innovation, not to mention that pinch of Italian pride that never hurts in racing."

Pramac Ducati, which won the teams’ championship and finished second in the rider’s standings with Jorge Martin last season, will become the final team to unveil its 2024 MotoGP livery, on February 28.