After clinching only his 2nd podium finish of the current MotoGP season at Motul TT Assen, Maverick Vinales has decided to leave Monster Energy Yamaha at the end of 2021.
Maverick Vinales’ tension with the Monster Energy Yamaha team began when the Spanish rider finished the German Grand Prix in last position, so much so that securing a podium spot in the next race didn’t quite change his decision.
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On the 29th of June, the Yamaha Factory team’s managing director said “It is with sadness that we will say farewell to Maverick at the end of the year. We are in the middle of our 5th season together and over the years we have achieved many highs but also had to manage many lows. We had an important discussion in Assen and came to the conclusion that it would be in the interest of both parties to go our separate ways in the future. Yamaha will put in their maximum effort as we always have done – to give full support to Maverick and finish this season in the very best way possible”.
In what sounded like an unofficial farewell, Vinales said, “Germany was very painful. Honestly, it was hard to eat that result. But I have to say that I appreciate the guys in Yamaha. I have a lot of respect for Yamaha because they invest a lot of time in me. For sure we make some good results, but I don’t know why I was not able to be faster and more consistent. Overall, the only words I can say to Yamaha is thank you for the opportunities.”
What’s next for Maverick Vinales?
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As of now, the only factory MotoGP team seat officially available for next season is at Aprilia where the Spaniard could partner with his friend and former Suzuki teammate Aleix Espargaro. Another option for Vinales apart from Aprilia is the VR46 Ducati team where he could team up with Luca Marini. Ducati is keen on bringing Vinales aboard as they tried to at the end of the 2019 MotoGP season but the number 12 rider chose to renew his Yamaha contract back then., All things considered, a place for Vinales at Aprilia is perhaps the most likely.
[Image Credit: Maverick Viñales]
Shashank Iyer