Vinales: I didn't know how to handle it, I apologise to Yamaha

Maverick Vinales has broken his silence after being suspended by Yamaha on the eve of this weekend's second Red Bull Ring round.

The nine-time MotoGP race winner was sensationally withdrawn by his own team after 'unexplained irregular operation of the motorcycle' in last Sunday's race, which 'could have potentially caused significant damage' to his engine and therefore posed a risk to both himself and other riders.

Deliberate over-revving of the engine soon emerged as the exact cause of Yamaha's drastic action and, speaking to SkySport.it as a spectator on Saturday afternoon in Austria, Vinales confirmed he had been overcome by frustration at technical problems throughout the restart.

Vinales made a strong getaway in the initial race but his bike stalled before the restart. After joining the race from the end of pit lane, Vinales suffered persistent 'pit lane' messages on his dashboard, had acceleration issues, then got a Long Lap penalty for exceeding track limits.

The Spaniard, already facing a tense situation at Yamaha after negotiating an early release from his contract at the end of this season, finished the race back in pit lane, in 19th and last.

"I've been through a very frustrating time," Vinales said. "It's been building up and I didn't know how to handle it [in the race]. I really exploded, emotion and frustration. I apologise to Yamaha, I rode wrongly in the last laps. I'm very sad. I didn't want to put any rider at risk."

Vinales added that he respects Yamaha's decision to suspend him from this weekend but admits he doesn’t know what will now happen, amid speculation the #12 may have ridden his last race on an M1.

"I don't know [if the situation with Yamaha can be fixed]. Now I want to stay calm, reflect on everything and try to come back even stronger, with everything in place," he said.

"I am a warrior, it is very difficult for me to watch the GP from the side of the track.

"I have received a lot of nice messages in recent days and many riders have been fantastic with me, even some that I don't have a particularly good relationship with."

"We appreciate his apology, but we have nothing more to say at the moment," commented Yamaha team director Massimo Meregalli.

Rumours suggest Yamaha is considering putting test rider Cal Crutchlow, in Austria to replace the injured Franco Morbidelli at Petronas Yamaha, on Vinales' bike for the rest of the season.

Vinales is then expected to join Aprilia, alongside Aleix Espargaro, for 2022.