Maverick Vinales has admitted that he “type of regrets” leaving Yamaha through the 2021 MotoGP season and “selecting Aprilia”, saying: “I might have gotten extra out of it if I had stayed.”
The ten-time MotoGP race winner joined Yamaha from Suzuki for the 2017 season and gained his first Grand Prix thrice that 12 months.
After that, he struggled to repeat this, and Maverick Vinales was unable to win once more till close to the top of the 2018 season.
Tensions between Yamaha and Vinales reached a boiling level throughout a disappointing 2021 season, with the 2 sides agreeing to half methods a 12 months early.
Vinales was discovered to have deliberately tried to wreck his Yamaha’s engine through the Styrian Grand Prix and was instantly banned.
He joined Aprilia for the ultimate spherical of 2021 and remained with the model till the top of 2024 earlier than becoming a member of Tech3 KTM.
Maverick Vinales’ MotoGP profession regrets
In a podcast with new rider coach Jorge Lorenzo, Vinales admitted he “regrets” leaving Yamaha, however stated on the time he “needed a change of tempo.”
When requested the way it felt to be teammates with Valentino Rossi, Vinales stated, “I used to be stunned by how a lot enjoyable it was.
“It was unusual to comprehend that I used to be quicker than my idol, however Valentino was tremendous charismatic.
“He made everybody really feel good. He had a giant affect on Yamaha.
“I realized quite a bit from him, however on the identical time it was tough.
“In 2018 they took the wrong way from me, with the engine and chassis.
“I had race at Phillip Island as a result of I had the grip, however the remaining had been robust. I type of remorse selecting Aprilia as a substitute of staying with Yamaha in 2021.”
“I might have made extra money, however on the time I needed a change of tempo and the worst bike on the grid.”
Vinales stated 2017 was his “likelihood” to battle for the world title, however Yamaha went in opposition to his request to maintain the bike he examined in preseason.
“I felt like this was a chance,” he added.
“On the Valencia take a look at on Lorenzo’s bike, it was precisely the identical, simply with out the wing, however he set nice instances with out asking for a quick lap.
“Then we went to Sepang, and in simply in the future, we shot a observe report. I keep in mind saying, ‘Let’s cowl this bike and take it to the primary race. That is sufficient.’
“Truly they introduced us one other bike, however the first race was excellent. However the tire modifications and poor grip difficult every thing.”
