Listen to this article The veteran Spaniard fended off home hero Fabio Quartararo to claim third in last Sunday’s Le Mans race, marking his third-successive podium finish in 2022 and fourth overall. It puts Espargaro just four points behind Quartararo in the championship standings, with the Aprilia rider consistently proving himself and his package as genuine title contenders. But he still has no deal in place with Aprilia beyond 2022, with Espargaro revealing during the Austin weekend that initial talks with the Italian manufacturer had left him “sad” as both parties were too far apart of terms. Asked after his Le Mans podium if he was making it difficult for Aprilia to say no to him, Espargaro said: “I don’t know what’s happening there. I don’t know what to say. “It’s not affecting me. I’m very happy and I’m enjoying the moment. “It will help really to know as soon as possible my future, because it will g …