MotoGP: Viñales has been suffering on the Yamaha for two and a half years? Lorenzo sympathizes!

If, at KTM, we admit a problem decoding the needs of its new recruit Johann Zarco, at Yamaha, we have been experiencing the same kind of problem for two and a half years with Maverick Vinales. This lies in more or less failed starts, which annihilate in a few meters all the work accomplished during practice and qualifying. Because the Spaniard is never as good as when he is riding alone in front. In the peloton, he has difficulty getting his driving to speak. Which reminds the former tenant of the M1 today at Honda after moving to Ducati: Jorge Lorenzo...

And precisely, it is Por Fuera who sympathizes. “ I understand why he has clutch problems at the start ", said Jorge Lorenzo. " It doesn't matter if he's on the front line, because he always loses positions. I experienced this problem when I started my career in MotoGP. Most of the time I was in pole position or on the front row. But because of a bad start I lost places. And it became difficult to take them back ».

« The trajectories I followed were very different from those of the other pilots. So, when you are behind an opponent, you give yourself a margin of safety so as not to hit them if you make a mistake. You brake earlier and you lose time, it's all about that safety cushion. This probably happens to Maverick, who prefers to ride alone and lead the race ».

An Achilles heel which also undermines the morale of the teammate of a Red which remains at the top of the table, in all circumstances: “ I started very well with the Suzuki in 2016 “, he remembers. “ I've won positions many times, which is why it's so hard to understand. I think it's the Yamaha, and for two years, I still don't understand how to do it ". A terrible admission of failure whose repercussions are likely to continue.

Indeed, in Austin, Yamaha worked on its clutch. The result was an early departure which resulted in a prohibitive penalty… “ For this race we will improve the clutch setting, so the reaction at the start will be much better » declared Casa Particular in Viñales before getting on the starting grid for the Grand Prix of the Americas. We know the rest…