Yamaha “didn’t have anything” to fight for MotoGP title – Vinales
Maverick Vinales concedes Yamaha “didn’t have anything” to fight for the 2020 MotoGP title in latter part of the season, following Joan Mir’s championship success at the Valencia Grand Prix.
Suzuki rider Mir finished Sunday’s race in seventh position to clinch the 2020 title with a round to spare with an advantage of 29 points.
Vinales came into the Valencia GP 41 points adrift of Mir, and in need of a top-two result to keep his hopes alive, but could only manage a distant 10th. Vinales admitted he had nothing for the Suzuki rider having not scored a podium since his Misano win back in September.
“I congratulated him,” he said when asked if he’d said anything to Mir. “They [Suzuki and Mir] were really good, really strong. It’s a shame we make a zero, but anyway what we showed at the end of the season was we didn’t have anything to fight for the title.
“So, honestly I cannot say too much. I just want to congratulate him because he did super-well and that’s it.”
When asked by Motorsport.com if Vinales had been able to find anything with his bike for the race, he admitted 10th all he had.
“I think this was the maximum we could do today,” he added. “For sure, we are far from the other bikes, but anyway I remain positive. I’m doing my job, I try to give the best information I can and now we are thinking to Portimao.”
Petronas SRT’s Franco Morbidelli scored his third win of the season on the 2019 M1 having led for almost the entirety of the 27-lap contest. Vinales says he wants to use the 2019 bike next year, but hasn’t asked Yamaha for that and is unsure if the rules would permit this, having struggled so much on the 2020 M1.
“I don’t think [about Morbidelli] too much honestly,” said Vinales. “I try to do the job and go home happy and that’s it. I wish we could use [the 2019 bike] for next season, but I don’t know if it’s possible.
“I don’t even ask for this. I have 2020, so it’s what we choose on the beginning and it’s what we need to work with.”
Previous article
Mir rubbishes claims his MotoGP crown devalued by Marquez absence
Next article
Quartararo: I’ve haven’t felt good on Yamaha since Le Mans
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Event | Valencia GP |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
