Definitive break between Maverick Viñales and Yamaha, after the team has announced that both parties have mutually decided to terminate their contractual relationship with immediate effect, despite the agreement they had reached for 2021.
Following the Netherlands Grand Prix it was announced that Yamaha and Maverick Viñales would terminate their two-year contract early (2021 and 2022) at the end of the current season, but following recent events at the Styrian Grand Prix and after a deep reflection on both sides, a mutual decision has been reached to separate with immediate effect.
“Regrettably, the Styrian race did not end well and consequently, after deep consideration by both parties, the decision was reached that it would be better for both parties if we terminate the partnership earlier“, stressed Lin Jarvis, General Manager of the Yamaha team.
“The anticipated separation will free up the pilot to follow the direction he chooses in the future and it will also allow the team to focus its efforts on the remaining races of the 2021 season with a substitute rider, yet to be determined, “added the Yamaha official.
“I would like to express the sincere thanks from Yamaha to Maverick for the good memories and the appreciated work that both parties have done during the four and a half years that we have spent together and that have allowed us to achieve eight victories, 24 podiums and two third places in the overall drivers’ standings for 2017 and 2019Lin Jarvis recalled.
Meanwhile, Maverick Viñales explained: “After our decision in Assen to separate the roads a year earlier, it was also decided to commit to completing the current season with the maximum effort on both sides, but the Styrian race did not turn out as we expected, and sadly it did not end well“.
“After careful consideration, both parties have agreed that it would be best to terminate the partnership with immediate effect and I have to be deeply grateful to Yamaha for the great opportunity they have given me and grateful for the support they have given me during these years and I will proudly remember the results we have achieved together, “said Viñales.
“I will always have great respect for Yamaha and wish them the best“, assured the Spanish rider, who now has his definitive freedom letter and it only remains to know if he will be able to get on his new brand, the Italian Aprilia, before the end of the season, as Aleix Espargaró’s partner, given that his current partner, Italian Lorenzo Savadori is injured.