Spanish Grand Prix, Jerez, MotoGP: what to expect from Maverick Viñales this weekend?

He changed teams in his box, he has the chief mechanic of his dreams and he even superstitiously changed the number on his fairing. But nothing changes for one Maverick Vinales very far from the solidity of his teammate's course Valentino Rossi at the start of the season. The Spaniard always likes to ride his roller coaster in the rankings of practice sessions and qualifying, but with one worrying constant: his inability to play the leading roles in the race. What does he have in store for us this weekend for his national Grand Prix aboard the Yamaha?

After a solid pre-season, we expected Maverick Vinales in a much better position in the championship than twelfth, before the start of the European season which will take place in front of its Spanish supporters, in Jerez, this weekend. However, this is the situation he faces after disappointing performances in Qatar, Argentina and Texas.

The Monster Yamaha rider qualified on the front row for two of those events, but slipped to seventh in Qatar and then was caught by Morbidely as he battled for fifth place in Argentina. Austin was worse: a sanction for early departure from his sixth point on the starting grid, behind the KTM of Pol Espargaro, and a final eleventh position.

More Casa Particular in Viñales was the best Yamaha rider with the third fastest time during testing at Jerez in November, just behind the Hondas of Takaaki Nakagami and Marc Márquez, giving hope that the M1 can be competitive on what has proven to be one of the most difficult tracks for it in the last two seasons.

« I'm happy because we're finally coming to the European rounds. In Austin, despite the problems we encountered, I felt very good on my bike and my race pace was very good” said Casa Particular in Viñales.

« We've had some difficulties at Jerez in the past, but I think we've made good progress recently. We could therefore potentially arrive on a very good track for the Yamaha. I hope to fight for the podium from the start of the meeting. We will work very hard to get there”.

His teammate Valentino Rossi is currently second behind Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) in the world championship after finishing second in the last round of the Grand Prix of the Americas.