Maverick Viñales is an extremely talented rider who has struggled, at times, with wildly inconsistent results while at Yamaha. Viñales has 9 MotoGP victories and 28 podiums. He has also taken pole position in MotoGP 13 times. When he is fast, he is very fast.
There has been much speculation that Viñales will join the Aprilia MotoGP team next year alongside current Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro. However, Viñales has denied that he has a binding deal with Aprilia, and new speculation suggests he might ride a Ducati next year with Valentino Rossi’s new team, Aramco Racing Team VR46. A prominent rider like Viñales, it is speculated, would allow Valentino Rossi to retire from racing and concentrate on his role as team owner. MD will provide an update when Viñales announces where he will be riding in 2022.
Here is the press release from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP:
Gerno di Lesmo (Italy), 28th June 2021 – Following Maverick Viñales‘ request, Yamaha have agreed to put an early end to their current two-year contract. Currently in their fifth season together, they mutually decided to go their separate ways after this year.
Both parties are committed to putting in their maximum effort for the remainder of the 2021 MotoGP season and ending the relationship on a high note.
LIN JARVIS
MANAGING DIRECTOR, YAMAHA MOTOR RACING
“It is with sadness that we will say farewell to Maverick at the end of the year. We are in the middle of our fifth season together and over the years we have achieved many highs but also had to manage many lows. After the German GP, which was the most difficult weekend of our partnership, we had important discussions 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.”
MAVERICK VIÑALES
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP RIDE
“This partnership has been very significant to me over the last five years, and it proved a difficult decision to part ways. In these seasons together, we experienced both great achievements and tough times. However, the underlying feeling is of mutual respect and appreciation. I am fully committed and will strive to achieve the best results for the rest of the season.”
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