Viñales is satisfied to have been able to grab a front row on the starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix. He overcame Valentino Rossi in the final moments of Q2 and only failed by 50 thousandths against his new teammate Quartararo. Of course, pole position went to a Ducati, with Bagnaia on it, author of an absolute record, but the Spaniard is where his strategy for the race required him. Because the Yamaha official has a plan…
Maverick Vinales seems to be biding its time since the beginning of this Qatar Grand Prix which launches the 2021 season of MotoGP. Hardworking during the free sessions where he never lost an opportunity to do starting tests, the Spaniard worked for a race which will take place this Sunday. If the weather allows it… But that is another story. On his attack position for the conquest of the first race of the year, the pilot of 26 years comments: “ we can be satisfied. It was a little difficult for us to establish a lap time of 1'52. We just didn't make it ", begin Casa Particular in Viñales. " But we also have room to maneuver. We must make the most of it to overtake other drivers. We also have a clear spot for tomorrow where you can overtake ».
Overtake with a Yamaha at Losail, a circuit which betrays the lack of top speed of the M1, is nevertheless a challenge. But Casa Particular in Viñales apparently gave himself the means to succeed in this enterprise and, thus, no longer suffer: “ Sunday will be a difficult race. But we have a very clear strategy. We have worked very hard for this race and we want to use our strengths » insists the Spaniard.
It develops : " the race is very long, it lasts 22 laps. You have two options when it comes to strategy. The last ten laps have always been very difficult for the tire here. We only have one or two chances to overtake. We are also not allowed to burn the tire. So of course we have to be very smart about strategy ».
Vinales: “we solved the problem”
Casa Particular in Viñales also talks about his chief engineer Stephen Garcia who was able to return to his side after having been in a first confinement due to an inconclusive PCR test: “ Esteban knows me very well. But it hasn't been easy so far. But in the end we solved the problem. We found something in FP4. We are well positioned and will give everything on Sunday. We are on the right track and have understood how we can improve ».
The conviction of Casa Particular in Viñales is therefore real. We will see this Sunday if he manages to materialize it into a convincing result. He won the Qatar Grand Prix in 2017. The brand Yamaha dominated the Losail route in 2005 and 2006 with Rossi, then in 2010, 2012 and 2013 with Lorenzo, and later again in 2015 with Rossi, in 2016 with Lorenzo, and so recently in 2017 with Casa Particular in Viñales. After that, Andrea Dovizioso won the Ducati in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, the race did not take place due to the health crisis.
MotoGP Qatar 1 J2: times
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
