When Maverick arrived at Yamaha in 2017, he immediately won the first GP in Qatar, then the second in Argentina 2.9 ahead of his teammate Valentino Rossi. The rest was more difficult and Viñales had to wait until the seventeenth Grand Prix (out of nineteen) of the following season at Phillip Island to return to victory. With two first places at Assen and Sepang in 2019, Maverick finished third in the world.
The young Spaniard had previously caused a surprise on a 125 Aprilia by winning the fourth Grand Prix of his rookie career at Le Mans, then winning three others, thus finishing third in the World Championship in 2011. Moto3 World Champion in 2013, he spent just one season in Moto2, winning his second GP of the year in 2104 in Texas, before moving to Suzuki in MotoGP and winning at Silverstone in 2016.
Maverick started 2020 well by renewing his contract with Yamaha for two years. “I always like to renew early, feel comfortable and work well for the next two years. Seeing how things are going with the pandemic, it was a good decision” explained the future teammate of fabio quartararo to Serena Zunino from Motosprint.corrieredellosport.it. “I've built my team here, over the years, that's been key. In addition, I felt great confidence from the company, and that is always necessary. »
How far along have you been in your discussions to change teams, given the interest from Ducati?
“The other options are always interesting. I had already been with Yamaha for three years and during that time the results were not what I hoped for, but I value the commitment of my team and Yamaha more. I now have three years left to live with them to reach our goal. »
What excited you about the offer from Ducati, who was thinking of you to open a new chapter?
“The leadership role, but also the competitiveness of the bike, and then I was convinced by the people who work in the team. It was difficult to choose between Ducati and Yamaha. »
In 2021 you will be the expert, next to Fabio Quartararo.
“He will be the first rival to beat. He could provide important information to Yamaha. Fabio drives very well and it will be very useful to have his opinion when he tries new components. One of its strong points is on a single lap. With him in the pits, maybe I can improve my time on a single lap. »
Having Quartararo in his own pit means Valentino Rossi leaving the official team. During these three years, has he been more of an internal rival or a master?
“I'm going to miss Valentino, I didn't expect this kind of development. I'm a little saddened by his departure from the team because we had a great time as teammates. I hope he is still on the track in 2021, I hope he can race for many more years, racing against him is always very exciting. I learned a lot from Rossi and he particularly taught me to give that little something extra on Sundays. And then I looked at his data to improve the aspects where I couldn't be fast, maybe in some corners. »
Do you think you will still be on the track at his age?
" No, I do not think so. Valentino has enormous motivation. I see myself on the track as long as I'm competitive, but I can't say how many years of MotoGP I have left to do. Personal satisfaction and enjoyment are very important in this job. »
A hypothesis that seems inevitable is to run without spectators.
“It is clear that we owe a lot to our fans, but the possibility of chasing the championship is the priority. If you have to do the shopping behind closed doors, that's fine too. Of course, it will be very strange to be on the grid and not see anyone in the stands and not hear any noise. »
Marc Márquez, the reigning World Champion, is in your sights again this year?
“That’s the target. In the World Championship, I started fighting with him, for real, in 2016. I respect him as an opponent and as a driver, but for me, in the end, he is a name like a other, like Valentino. These are just names and only one wins on the track, the strongest. I will always give the best of myself. »
What do you need to beat him?
“We showed that when we were focused, and when we were all doing our best work, Marc was not unbeatable for us. So we will always have to be 100% in all the Grands Prix we race. »
You are compatriots, almost the same age, you have known each other since the days of mini-motorcycles. Is there anything you envy of him?
“I envied him for starting his own team, but now I have my own and I'm very happy with it. Year after year we trusted each other more and more and now there is a fantastic atmosphere in the stand. I feel prepared, and I am ready to fight against Márquez. »
“We did a good job. We have done our homework over the winter and we are ready. I'm getting better and better at braking and as soon as we can start training again I'll continue to do it. I am excited to begin. There will be very similar values on the track this year and the level will be high. I'm expecting a fun championship and I can't wait any longer. »
What is your strong point as a pilot?
“In difficult situations, I can handle pressure very well. I can stay calm. I'm more nervous when I play PlayStation! (Laughs).
But you won in Jerez, a success celebrated on the terrace at home in Andorra, after being second in Austria. You're not bad at virtual races either...
“It’s fun, it’s another way to compete. If there is another race, I can't miss it. »
During this forced hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, what have you missed most about your life as a pilot?
“It’s competition. The feeling you only get on Sundays, and also the fact that you have a purpose. It's hard to do without it. »
And what’s one thing you’ve discovered that you love this time of year?
“Relaxation, I haven't been this relaxed in many years: I relax on the sofa, I watch Netflix, I sleep. I take advantage of it. »
You are 25 years old and you play a leading role at Yamaha: do you think the time has come to take a definitive leap forward in your career?
" Yes. As a rider I have grown a lot in the last year, especially for the role that Yamaha has given me. I feel more important in the development of the bike, and especially for the manufacturer. »
Photos © Yamaha and Maverick Viñales Personal
