MotoGP Styria, Viñales: “With Yamaha I can’t show my potential”

2021 is not Maverick Viñales’ year, the Styrian GP proving to be another case in point. As he headed out for the second start, the Spaniard immediately had problems with the bike on the grid and was forced to start from pitlane. The problems continued throughout the race and the rider was unable to reach the line.

The feeling wasn’t right

The rider tells motogp.com: “We changed the clutch, I made a normal start on the grid for the sighting lap and the bike stopped, I don’t know why”. The day didn’t go as he’d hoped, but there was one positive note: “I’m pleased that I was able to start well in the first heat, I was up at the front fighting”.

A pity then that the situation then went in a different direction: “In the second race, I didn’t have the same feeling. I don’t know why but the sensations were totally different. We’d changed the tyres, but I don’t know why the bike was sliding around so much, even on the straight. I tried to climb back up, but then I started to have issues with the bike and so I stopped”.

Looking forward

This weekend he immediately has a chance to make up for this, but Viñales cuts to the chase: “We’ll see if Yamaha gives me the chance. Because when the bike is ready, I’m ready. I train hard, but when I get to the races, the bike works well one time, and then not the next. It’s hard for me. I can’t trust in the team”. Harsh words from the factory Yamaha rider who admits: “Next year will be different. I’ll push and show my potential”.

There is still no official word about his move to Aprilia, but his intentions are clear: “I want to race, I want to show my full potential. With this team, I can’t do that, for various reasons that are also technical. I can’t push here. But my priority is to give it my all”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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