MotoGP winner Aleix Espargaro on his Porsche passion

One of the best parts about our jobs at Elferspot is chatting with like-minded enthusiasts and hearing their personal Porsche stories. As no matter where we’re from or who we are, there is a certain connection through our shared passion for Porsche sports cars. Between the MotoGP’s German and Dutch Grand Prix none other than Aprilia factory rider Aleix Espargaro took time out for a Porsche talk. Among other things, the Grand Prix winner told me why he feels safer on a motorcycle than in a car and why he now prefers driving a Porsche to a Ferrari…

Aleix Espargaro, thank you for taking the time to share your story with us and the Elferspot community! How and where did it all begin?

Hello Richard, the pleasure is all mine! I really like what you guys of Elferspot are doing. I am 33 years old and a native of Catalonia. Today I ride for Aprilia in MotoGP and spend a lot of time on my racing bike. But to be honest, I’ve always been a car sucker as well.

I used to drive Ferrari and also Lamborghini. But the older I got, the more Porsche appealed to me. Around five years ago, I bought a Porsche 991.2 Carrera GTS. I was immediately in love with this car and since then my heart has been really attached to the brand.

In your view, what makes Porsche so special and perhaps better than the Italian competition?

I just love the mix of racing spirit and class. Of course, you can also go on trackdays in a Ferrari or Lamborghini. But with the sports models, such as a 458 Italia, 488 Pista, or Huracan STO, you’re not likely to take your wife out to dinner.

That’s completely different with Porsche, even in a 911 GT3 RS or Cayman GT4 RS. A Porsche cuts just as good a figure when you’re chasing times as it does in front of a restaurant for dinner. It just works for both. And the older I got, the more I learned to appreciate that.

What kind of Porsche does Aleix Espargaro drive in his private life?

As a family car, we have a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. I’ve also had the great fortune of getting my hands on a Porsche 992 GT3 RS recently. The car is simply incredible. I love it! That’s why I also want to part with my 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

I had the car for about a year and enjoyed it for about 3,000 kilometers. But it’s a two-seater and the extremely long MotoGP season, which now has 20 Grands Prix, means I don’t have enough time for both. Hence, it doesn’t make too much sense to keep two cars, serving the same purpose.

I also have a Porsche 992 Turbo S. That’s a fantastic car, probably even faster on the road than the GT3 RS. The “problem” this car has, is the emotional side. It is extremely capable, but not that much fun. On the upside though, it has rear seats. So my wife and I can take our kids Mia and Max with us in it.

What would you like to experience with the Porsche 992 GT3 RS? Have you already been on the race track with it?

Unfortunately not yet! Even with the GT4 RS, I have only been in the mountains and on a proving ground, but not properly on the race track. But if time permits, there is already one thing I would love to experience. At some point I’d like to drive the GT3 RS around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. That’s right at the top of my bucket list.

As a MotoGP rider, you are racing the most exciting machines on two wheels there are. In contrast, what appeals to you about driving a car on track?

That’s a very good question. What I love about the cars, is the g-forces you feel. In MotoGP You know, I’ve been racing motorcycles since I was four years old. When I push my bike to the limit, it feels more natural and controlled than in a car. It sounds crazy, but because of the protective equipment with leather suit, helmet and co, I also have a more pronounced sense of safety on the motorcycle than in the car.

When I push my bike to the limit, it feels more natural and controlled than in a car. It sounds crazy, but because of the protective equipment with leather suit, helmet and co, I also have a more pronounced sense of safety on the motorcycle than in the car.

Aleix Espargaro on the differences between motorcycle racing and driving.

However, the fascination of cars comes less from acceleration or sheer speed. Instead, the centrifugal forces you feel in fast corners are very impressive. Everything is different compared to riding a bike. The lines and driver inputs are drastically different, as well as the feel.

You recently posted on Instagram that you wanted to have a Porsche 993 Turbo restored. Why a 993?

For me, the Porsche 993 Turbo is the most beautiful Porsche sports car ever built. Next to the GT3 RS, it’s my absolute dream car. I found one in Andorra that I really liked as a base. Initially, I wanted to have it rebuilt with RUF upgrades. However, talking to Josep Egui Julià and Jan Egui Costa from Julià 911, I was persuaded to rather restore the car with original parts.

So far, I have only driven the 993 on the way to the workshop. But the drive over was enough to make a lasting impression on me. The Porsche 993 Turbo still feels comfortable and fast, almost as if it were a modern car.

We hope to see you in MotoGP for a long time to come! But would car racing be an option for you after that? Maybe Porsche Carrera Cup together with Jorge Lorenzo?

Yes, I could imagine that. In the mid-2000s, I took part in a race in a one-make cup. That went pretty well, too, and I made it onto the podium. So maybe I’ll give that a try at some point.

Aleix, thank you very much for taking the time for us! We definitely keep our fingers crossed for the rest of the season.

The pleasure was all mine. Hope to see you soon at the race track!

© title image: David Acedo