What is going on between Yamaha and Maverick Viñales at the moment? From a results point of view, we know it, and not only since this year. They do not live up to common ambitions. But it seems like we've turned a corner in the relationship, and it's not in the pilot's favor. The latter was finally given a new chief engineer and listening to him, he knows he is under pressure...
Maverick Vinales finished sixth on his first day of Grand Prix of Catalonia, which is not absolutely a bad result. Except that it is found within the brand Yamaha still behind his teammate, and, above all, ahead of Franco Morbidelli of which we know the level of evolution of its M1.
Patience seems to be largely exhausted by the decision-makers at Iwata who see the competition preempting the new generation. Morbidely can claim a state-of-the-art M1 while Raul fernandez seems as takeable as a George Martin by Ducati… During this time, Maverick Vinales is in his seventh season in MotoGP, including his fifth with the Yamaha factory team. This makes him one of the most experienced drivers in the premier category. However, this status is barely reflected in Top Gun's performance. Positive races are overshadowed by too many bad performances. The fact that Yamaha forced him to move fromEsteban Garcia to Silvano Galbusera, also shows that his position in the team is weakening.
In the internal duel against Fabio Quartararo, Casa Particular in Viñales is currently defeated. After six races, the Frenchman already has three victories, Casa Particular in Viñales just one at the season opener in Qatar. Quartararo counts 105 points after six races, despite his retirement at Jerez, while Viñales only has 64.
His contract with the Yamaha factory team runs until the end of 2022. However, it is no longer a secret that the Japanese manufacturer is anything but satisfied with its rider's latest performances. Contracts are now being concluded earlier and earlier in MotoGP, and there will likely be major movements in the rider market as early as spring 2022.
Vinales: “it’s normal that they look for other drivers”
Casa Particular in Viñales is also lucid about his situation. “ Yamaha has a rider they have invested heavily in, but who is not delivering the results the team expected. If I were Yamaha I would also explore the rider market “, said the Spaniard in Barcelona. “ In this environment, you are only as good as the result of your last race. ».
The fact is that the Yamaha M1 is no longer the problem. Quartararo shows this in a solid way. Casa Particular in Viñales knows it's up to him to get the most out of the bike. “ If I can't adapt to the bike, it's normal that they look for other riders », insists Casa Particular in Viñales, thus highlighting its precariousness. However, he sees the arrival of Silvano Galbusera at his side as a surprising positive sign: “ this change in strategy shows me that Yamaha trusts me and believes in my potential » he analyzes on motorsport-magazine.
Si Casa Particular in Viñales lost his place in the factory team for 2023, his logical successor would likely be Franco Morbidelli. But it is not excluded that Yamaha looks around outside of its own driver lineup. Furthermore, if disappointment continues on both sides, things could move even faster. Especially with genuine hopefuls shaking up the transfer market just waiting to be hired.
MotoGP Catalonia Barcelona J1: times
Credit classification motogp.com
