MotoGP, Maverick Viñales: “Fabio Quartararo works well under pressure”

During this calm, too calm period, one of the Grand Prix broadcasters, DAZN, returns with a driver to one of its most important races for him. This Sunday, it was the turn of Maverick Vinales, who remembered his victory at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2019. In addition to this race, the Yamaha rider talked about many things related to the world of MotoGP.

Viñales began by commenting on how he is coping with this period of confinement: “I'm getting back into old habits and doing things I no longer did regularly. » Then Maverick brought up Assen 2019 as one of his three most important races. “I put this GP in my top three. As the Moto3 title is so far behind, it is losing its importance. Silverstone 2016 is good (first victory in MotoGP, Editor’s note), but Australia 2018, for me, is the best, I needed it. » Besides, it’s a victory that he particularly likes. “It’s the feeling with the track (from Phillip Island, Editor’s note). With any motorcycle I would do well there. »

An important name for Yamaha during this year 2019 was that of fabio quartararo. The rookie gave the Japanese brand a breath of fresh air at a time when it was going through some difficulties. “It’s complicated when you’re in a factory team. I tried so hard in two years that we didn't even know where we were anymore. Fabio rode without touching a single click, he was very skillful. We hadn't tried anything since Jerez. Fabio works well under pressure. He has a very good level. »

But that “click” Maverick speaks of also coincided with changes in his own team and mentality. “The whole team was under pressure because I wanted to win the World Championship. »

“If you want to win a World Championship, you have to be first, second or third in every Grand Prix. This is the goal of each of us. We have a new starting device that works great. Now everyone does it. This is what I work for, the goal of my life is to be World Champion, there is no other. »

Maverick then spoke about the conditions his Yamaha is currently in, which during testing has proven to be quite good. “Rhythm is the Yamaha’s strong point. And this year, I worked on it even more. The times I pushed it to the max, the bike performed perfectly and made me feel comfortable. »

Regarding top speed, “The bike goes much faster. We gained at least 6-7 km/h. This can be seen. I tried to follow the Ducati and the Honda during pre-season testing and they don't take us as much anymore. And without forgetting Suzuki, who also did a good job during the pre-season. In Qatar, they were very fast and very well placed. The first day I stopped early because of the tires, I went to see the track and the most complete bike I saw was perhaps the Suzuki. »

Viñales says he feels very good where he is and knows that Yamaha is a good place to realize his big dream. “I get on very well with Lin Jarvis, every year the relationship gets better. Yamaha saw that I made a pretty big change and they appreciated it. I feel good with Yamaha, I can't wait, I know I have the right to the title with them. I am very satisfied and very proud of what Yamaha has given me this year, happy to be at the forefront at Yamaha. We are a great team, we have nothing to envy of the others. »

Concerning his rivals, he began by referring to Jorge Lorenzo, who went from being a rival to being an ally. “He surprised me with the Honda. He was the type of guy who thought he would go fast. Marc knows how to drive it. Now, as a test driver, he can help, including testing new parts during a Grand Prix weekend. This is where it shows. He will know if things are better or worse. The role Yamaha has to play is not to give us new parts to test on the weekend. »

He finally spoke about the big rival to beat, the current World Champion, Marc Márquez. “The relationship is cordial, it is good, we understand each other. We are rivals on the track, as with anyone. Everyone knows he is the rival to beat, we are going 200%. »