Maverick Vinales has expressed some regret about leaving Yamaha during the 2021 MotoGP season to join Aprilia, admitting he believes he could have achieved more had he stayed with Yamaha. Vinales, a 10-time MotoGP race winner, joined Yamaha in 2017 from Suzuki, enjoying immediate success with three wins in his first year. However, replicating those achievements proved challenging, and he didn’t secure another victory until late in the 2018 season.
Relations between Vinales and Yamaha deteriorated during a difficult 2021 campaign, leading to an early contract termination. Controversially, Vinales was found to have deliberately tried to damage his Yamaha engine during the Styrian Grand Prix, resulting in an immediate ban. Following that, he moved to Aprilia for the final race of 2021, stayed through 2024, and then transitioned to Tech3 KTM.
In a discussion with rider coach Jorge Lorenzo, Vinales admitted he regretted the switch but wanted a fresh start at the time. Reflecting on his time as Valentino Rossi’s teammate, he shared surprise at being faster than his idol, though he admired Rossi’s charisma and positive influence on Yamaha. Vinales acknowledged learning a lot from Rossi but found 2018 difficult as Yamaha’s development direction diverged from his preferences.
He noted his standout race at Phillip Island due to good grip but said most of that season was tough. Vinales openly regretted leaving Yamaha for Aprilia in 2021, despite the potential for higher earnings, because he sought a different experience, even if it meant riding “the worst bike on the grid.” He viewed 2017 as a real opportunity to contend for the world title but expressed frustration that Yamaha did not support his request to keep the bike he tested during preseason.
Vinales recalled the Valencia test on Jorge Lorenzo’s bike, which performed impressively, and a record-setting day at Sepang. He felt ready for a strong start to the season, but changes in tyres and grip issues eventually complicated his progress.
Fan Take: This revelation from Vinales is significant for MotoGP fans as it highlights the complex decisions riders face between loyalty and seeking new challenges. His journey underscores how equipment and team dynamics heavily influence career trajectories, which is a crucial element for racing enthusiasts to understand about the sport.
