MotoGP: Maverick Viñales could already race with Aprilia in 2021

The premature separation between Maverick Viñales and Yamaha opens the door to new opportunities already in 2021 for both the Spanish rider and the Iwata manufacturer, which finds itself having to complete its rider line-up for the rest of the season.

 Crutchlow to the factory team

With seven races still to run, it looks as if the factory Yamaha team will entrust the second M1 to test rider Cal Crutchlow, who’s already competed in the two Austrian rounds as a substitute for injured Franco Morbidelli on the Petronas team.

Morbidelli, still convalescing after his knee operation, will also miss the Silverstone race taking place on 29 August. With Crutchlow moving to the factory team, The-Race.com has reported that Jake Dixon will be brought in to join Valentino Rossi on the Sepang Racing Team for the British round. Dixon would therefore have an opportunity to compete in the reigning class at his home track, a weekend that would be more like a trial run for the Brit, with a view to a possible promotion to the top class for the 2022 season.

 And if Viñales...

The rapidly evolving situation would also allow Viñales to evaluate other opportunities. Yamaha’s decision is effective immediately, which means #12 is now free to do as he pleases this season. Lin Jarvis confirms: “The early separation will release the rider to be free to follow his chosen future direction and will also permit the team to focus its efforts on the remaining races of the 2021 season with a replacement rider – yet to be determined”.

This means that the Spaniard may already climb aboard the RS-GP this season, without having to wait for 2022. A possible solution, which we touched on in recent weeks, that would allow the rider to find the right feeling with a view to future commitments.

Translated by Heather Watson

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