Aleix Espargaro opens up on pressure of MotoGP return as Honda's wildcard

Aleix Espargaro retired from full-time MotoGP racing in 2024.

Aleix Espargaro is set to return to MotoGP this weekend as Honda's wildcard rider for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Espargaro, who retired from full-time MotoGP racing at the end of 2024, has shared his excitement and nervousness about returning to the paddock as Honda's wildcard rider. This comes after the Spanish rider signed with the Japanese manufacturer as a test rider for 2025.

While speaking with MotoGP.com ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Espargaro explained:

“[I’m] very happy. I feel a bit strange; yesterday when I came to the paddock with my family we felt a bit strange, but happy – this is where I grew up so I still feel that it’s my home."

The 35-year-old, who spent eight seasons with Aprilia before retiring, couldn't hide his nerves as he readied himself to represent one of the most stories manufacturers in motorcycle racing history.

“A bit nervous to have these HRC colours, I feel a big responsibility – even if I’m just the test rider, but this is the biggest team ever in our sport so I feel really blessed to be able to race with these colours," he continued.

Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Despite his extensive experience, Espargaro is trying to remain realistic with his expectations this weekend. He added:

“I’m trying not to put a lot of pressure on myself. I lived with the pressure during 20 seasons, but it’s not my role anymore.

“Obviously, being a part of HRC and being in the MotoGP World Championship you have to be focused and you have to give your 100 per cent, but I’m not setting a goal like top-10 or podium or whatever because it would be not real.

“But, from tomorrow, we will see; I will try my best and we’ll see how far we can go.”

He also revealed the differences in specifications across the Honda garage, confirming that he will have a different bike to Joan Mir and Luca Marini.

“The bike will be definitely different than Joan’s [Mir] and Luca’s [Marini]. Hopefully, during the weekend, we can discover that the bike is a bit more competitive.

“We’ve been working hard and focusing on Joan’s and Luca’s problems and requests for the future, so hopefully we find out that we did one step forward and they can have it in the near future.”