The Tech3 GASGAS rider made a welcome return at Silverstone, the first time he had been back on a MotoGP bike since an awful crash on the first Friday of the season which resulted in serious inju🌌ries.

During his recovery, KTM revealed their intention to accept Moto2 star Pedro Aꦚcosta’s demand for a 2024 MotoGP seat.

Where Acosta fits iꦿn is still under consideration but KTM’s factory pair - Jack Miller and Brad Binder - are contracted while Espar𒆙garo’s impressive teammate Augusto Fernandez has been rewarded with an extended deal.

Espargaro also has a 2024 contract but, when asked if he was surprised to heꩲar he might have to battle for his own seat, he 🐟replied: “No. This is clear. 

“We’re all here, we need to perform. I’ve been in MotoGP for 10 years - I have a clear idea, if I want to♋ stay then I have to perform. 

“It’s the only way. Especially in my situation, after a huge in▨jury, the doubts are there.

“But🔥 the doubts are there for everyone. I want to come back in my normal state. 

“If not, I will move [aside]. I feel like I’m a part o♎f the family. I won’t ൩hesitate to move aside if the results are not great because I want to see the factory shining.”

KTM🎃 even explained their plan to buy an existing satellite team, enquiring about LCR, but to no avail.

If they are restricted to four, and having promised Acosta a seat,💞 then they have five contracted riders vying for four spots.

Espargaro, the oldest of KTM’s five riders at 32, said about returning from his injuries: “It is a mix of emotion. You spend more time here 🅺than at home, this is a part of my family. I was really missing the adrenaline. It has been my routine since I was 15. I have been away for such a long time. 

“It was a scary crash. It makes you think about a lot of things. 🅺You sign a contract when you come racing that these things can happen. 

“You see these🥂 things happen far away, and you think it’s not going to happen to you. But definitely it can. When it happens, it is hard. 

“But ဣit’s part of this sport, 🐓the athletes sometimes have these moments, their careers change in these moments. I will try to overcome it.”

Espargaro was able to complete both the Saturday sprint and the Sunday grand prix, where he finished onl🐬y one place behind tea🐽mmate Fernandez.