Vinales: With new Yamaha deal it’s back to work
Maverick Vinales says he cherishes being welcomed as part of the ‘Yamaha family’ having signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP squad until the end of 2020, as he hunts consistency with his YZR-M1 at the Thailand test.
The Spanish rider produced an impressive maiden MotoGP campaign with Yamaha last season on his way to third place in the riders’ world championship plus the highlight of three race wins and five pole positions.
Maverick Vinales says he cherishes being welcomed as part of the ‘Yamaha family’ having signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP squad until the end of 2020, as he hunts consistency with his YZR-M1 at the Thailand test.
The Spanish rider produced an impressive maiden MotoGP campaign with Yamaha last season on his way to third place in the riders’ world championship plus the highlight of three race wins and five pole positions.
During Yamaha’s 2018 MotoGP team launch it was confirmed Vinales had snapped up a new two-year contract offer which ties him to the team for the next three seasons, becoming the first rider to secure his future beyond the end of this year.
Vinales joined teammate Rossi and several senior Yamaha management members at the manufacturer’s Motorsport Conference, held at Buriram on the eve of the three-day test, and thanked the attendees for their warm welcome since replacing Jorge Lorenzo in the team at the start of 2017.
“The media conference event was really good and a positive way for us to start the Thailand test,” Vinales said. “This will be my second year with the Yamaha Factory Team, and there are two more to come after this, so I feel very much a part of the 'Yamaha family'.”
Vinales is now relishing the second official MotoGP test and getting up to speed at the Buriram circuit this weekend for its testing debut before the track hosts his maiden MotoGP race weekend in early October. The 23-year-old is also keen to produce consistent pace after seeing his speed dramatically drop off on the final day of the Sepang test last month.
“Now it's time to get back to work,” he said. “I had a look around the Chang circuit and my first impression was very positive, I didn't expect it to be this kind of track - I like it a lot and I also think it will be very nice for the Thai fans to watch.
“We aim to be consistent all year, we have a good bike and a good team and look forward to getting a lot of work done in the next few days.”
