Maverick Vinales' father launches WorldSSP300 team

Angel Vinales, father of MotoGP star Maverick, has launched a team to help develop young talent in the Superport 300 World Championship.

Like Maverick, the new 'Vinales Racing Team' will be using Yamaha machinery, in the form of YZF-R3s. Riders are yet to be announced.

"I am very excited," said Angel Vinales. "It has been in my head for a long time to start a project like this, have a team of my own and give young riders the opportunity to show their talent.

"I feel very satisfied to have achieved it and I am looking forward to the start of the 2021 season, to see all the work we have been doing reflected on the track. I appreciate all the support and help of the people who have collaborated to make my dream come true."

The opening round of the 2021 WorldSSP300 series is scheduled to take place as one of the support classes for the World Superbike Championship, at Assen, on April 24-25.

Maverick was a race winner during his rookie 2011 grand prix season in the 125cc class, going on to clinch the Moto3 title in 2013 and seal a MotoGP move with Suzuki for 2015.

The 25-year-old took a victory on the GSX-RR the following season before switching to Yamaha, where he has so far taken seven more wins and finished a best of third in the world championship (2017 and 2019).

Former grand prix rider Isaac Vinales, a cousin of Maverick and nephew of Angel, will be stepping up to the WorldSBK class in 2021 riding for Orelac Kawasaki.