MotoGP Rumor: Maverick Vinales to Aprilia

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MotoGP Rumor: Maverick Vinales to Aprilia
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MotoGP Rumor: Maverick Vinales to Aprilia

MotoGP rumor
Maverick Vinales to Aprilia, Yamaha-Aus confirmed

The driver carousel in MotoGP is picking up speed. Immediately before the summer break, there are signs of a change from Yamaha works driver Maverick Vinales to the Aprilia works team for the year 2022. The departure from Yamaha has now been officially confirmed.


Uli Baumann

06/28/2021

Several Spanish media and MotoGP insiders reported during the MotoGP weekend in Assen that Maverick Vinales could join Aprilia’s newly formed works team in the coming season. In addition, the Yamaha rider prematurely terminates his contract with Yamaha, which will run until the end of 2022.

Yamaha confirms Vinales departure

As the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer officially announces, Yamaha and Maverick Vinales have mutually decided to end their current contract 2021-2022 at the end of this season. At Vinales’ request, Yamaha has agreed to terminate its current two-year contract early. Currently in their fifth season together, they have decided to go their separate ways after this year. Both parties are committed to making maximum efforts for the remainder of the MotoGP 2021 season and ending the relationship at a high level.

Vinales would then dock at Aprilia as Aleix Espargaro’s teammate. With this change, however, would also be a possible one Aprilia engagement by Andrea Dovizioso from the table, which was previously also traded as a candidate for a driver’s seat at Aprilia.

So far only hints

Aprilia didn’t want to comment on the rumors. Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said on Friday: “Andrea has proven to be a great rider in terms of sensitivity and understanding of the bike’s behavior. In parallel with the tests, Aprilia Racing is taking measures to find the best solution in terms of the drivers who can compete in 2022 without waiting for the results of the next tests in July. Andrea is certainly included in the solutions we have evaluated, but there are very interesting and valid alternatives on the table and a decision must be made soon so that we can properly plan the future strategy of the team. The Assen weekend will be extremely important in this regard.”

Vinales himself said after his second place in the Dutch TT: “One thing is clear. I can’t give my maximum at Yamaha. I have to find my life again and find my direction. It’s difficult sometimes. But I have to change something. I need something where I have the opportunity to give the maximum possible. In every race, in every lap and on every slope.”

Reorganization at Yamaha

After Vinales leaves Yamaha, a place becomes available in the Yamaha factory team. According to the latest information, Franco Morbidelli from the Sepang Racing Team (SRT) is slipping here. And should Rossi actually quit, there would be two places available at SRT. One of them could go to Moto2 rookie Raul Fernandez. Yamaha would have to buy it out of its KTM contract. The Superbike rider Garrett Gerloff, who has already replaced Morbidelli in Assen, is also traded at SRT.

Conclusion

Maverick Vinales is obviously no longer able to cope with the Yamaha factory team. Now there are signs of a change to the new Aprilia factory team for 2022.

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