Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo constitute the new official Yamaha pair for the 2021 season. The stakes for the Iwata brand are high because they cannot afford a performance like that of last year. Despite seven victories, but only one taken by the factory colors, the M1 showed too many weaknesses, both mechanical and dynamic. With the departure of Valentino Rossi, the Spaniard presents himself as the most experienced in the box. Given the stakes, he reaches out to his new teammate...
Despite the cancellation of the Sepang tests who would have heralded the start of the school year MotoGP from mid-February, the start of the season inexorably approaches. Between now and the first race Qatar On March 28, the teams will work on 2021 equipment whose appearance will still be close to the previous one in view of the technical freeze decreed to overcome the economic torments, which are the collateral damage of the health crisis.
Yet at Yamaha , the construction site seems immense, which raises questions about what the brand will be able to produce this year. On this point, Maverick Vinales is intended to be reassuring despite everything: “ it is clear that it is not possible to return to what we had in 2019, but we will certainly improve » he declared to the Spanish newspaper Las Provincias taken up by Tutomotoriweb.
« I expect Yamaha to evolve 100% so we can give 100% » he announces. “ The chassis needs a lot of improvement. Especially in direct duels, our bike is not very agile and it is difficult to ride. I think that's what we're going to focus on to make it more competitive ».
Vinales: “from what I feel, it will be positive for me”
Maverick Vinales does not speak of the engine, if only to relate this painful memory of 2020: “ I did the whole year, 14 races, with 2 engines. We were at the limit, I didn't know when they were going to explode ". But he returns to 2021 with the humility to point out that he also has room for improvement: “ Thank goodness I'm still far from my maximum potential. I'm going to try to work for Yamaha to give me the means to develop it. Above all, I can grow by providing information, by understanding what we need in the race ».
Casa Particular in Viñales ends with his words, like a hand extended to the newcomer, fabio quartararo : “ it will be a very different year, we will see if it will be positive or negative. From what I feel, it will be positive for me because ultimately the development of the bike has changed… We will try to improve with Fabio in the sense of working a little more together and finding the key ». Casa Particular in Viñales adds: “ Valentino also played a very important role for Yamaha. He will be close to the box and will remain official driver ».
