Aprilia has confirmed the signing of Scott Redding to replace Sam Lowes at the Italian manufacturer for the 2018 MotoGP season.
Redding’s appointment at the team was highly rumoured on the Thursday before the Austrian Grand Prix after Aprilia confirmed it would not retain 2014 World Supersport champion Lowes for the second year of his contract.
Current Pramac rider Redding has endured a torrid year on the GP16, a best finish of seventh at the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix the highlight thus far.
The Briton – who will be replaced by Jack Miller at the satellite Ducati squad from next year – made his MotoGP debut with the now Aprilia-backed Gresini team on a Honda in 2014 before moving to Marc VDS and Pramac in 2015 and 2016.
Aprilia boss Romano Albesiano believes Redding’s experience of different machinery in the premier class will prove a vital asset to the team next season.
“Scott is a rider who, in spite of his young age, has significant experience in MotoGP,” he said.
“We are pleased to have him join our project and we think that his talent and the continued growth of the RS-GP will allow the team and him to achieving important results.
“Our bike has grown consistently, race after race. The goal to battle stably in the top 10 has been more achieved.
“And while further steps in technical development are on their way already this season, with this agreement with Scott, we are preparing for next season.
“Aprilia will be at the starting line with a pair of quality riders that have interesting potential.
“Aleix (Espargaro) is demonstrating more and more that he is a high quality rider and a guarantee for the team.
“With Scott’s contribution, we expect that the team’s work will bring Aprilia even closer to the top of the championship, into the positions that such a glorious brand deserves to occupy.”
Lowes’ future remains unclear at present, though the Briton has been linked with the seat at Marc VDS expected to be vacated by Tito Rabat in 2018 as well as with a return to the Moto2 class.
Disgruntled by the ‘unprofessional’ way in which Aprilia has handled the situation, Lowes has vowed to end the season on a high.
“I’m motivated to prove them all wrong, and if I do get results (at the) end of this year, there’ll be some people in the team I’ll thank and some people I won’t,” he said last Friday.
“In life, away from the track and at it, you try to be respected – and I try to respect people.
“Some people in there aren’t respectful towards me.
“That’s difficult. OK, the last results have not been perfect, but I’ve not done anything to disrespect their brand or the situation.
“Now the ball’s in my court, to go out there, prove that they’re making a mistake and try and secure my future in MotoGP – that’s what I’ll try to do.”
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