Maverick Vinales’ dig at Yamaha? “A relationship that I was missing…”
Vinales꧂ and Yamaha parted ways in feisty circumstances in 2021 - a falling-out which became toxic when he was removed from his bike even before his planned departure at the end of the season.
His contract was already due to be terminated a year early but, when Yamaha accu♚sed Vinales of intentionally trying to damage his engine🍬, he was withdrawn from the Austrian MotoGP and they parted ways immediately.
Now at Aprilia🥃, he sai♔d: “I have never been in the position to [realise] all my potential.
“W💫ith Aprilia, I have this feeling. It gives me motivation.
“I’ve had tough years but suddenly one teamꦚ gives me eve▨rything, gives me a chance to show what I can do.
“I feel speed, potential, confidence in the team.
"If we are able to take out the max🎀imum, we are able to win.
“Aprilia listen to me. This is very important. They listen to what I say, how I want to ride💝 the bike.
"It is this kind of relationsh🧜ip that I was missi𝓀ng for a while.
“Last year I f💫e♐lt it. This year I feel it even more.
“It is fantastic to have that. I feel protected. T🐎he team believes in me, they𝐆 know I have speed and ability to become a rider who fights at the front.”
Vinales’ ninth season in MotoGP began with a podium finish in Portimao and, more recently, he was fo🅠urth in Texas.
He has out-performed teammate 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Aleix Espargaro so far - and ahead of their home race this weekend, the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Spanish MotoGP, he has revealed the tetchy🐼 competitiveness within their garage.
“We need to꧃ un🍎derstand who has the potential to win,” Vinales said.
“Last year I worked so much fꦫor Aprilia - a l൩ot of times, at times when Aleix wasn’t fast, he followed me.
“I wasn’t happy that I needed to give the lap to Alꦆeix, especially at Phillip Island💮 which is my track.
“But we work for✅ Aprilia. It is something bigger than us. We both know this.
“Al𝓡eix brought me into this project for th꧑is, to win for Aprilia.
“The best we can do is to work together because we will beco𝔍me faster.
“I hope Aleix gives me a ha🎀nd when it is time to do it.
“Aleix has his place, he is the c🌱aptain of the team, I understand. I won’t take his place but I want to wi൩n.”
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade coverin🏅g everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
