The DAZN documentary "Maverick: Two Lives" has lifted the veil on the deep tensions that existed between Maverick Viñales and Yamaha during their collaboration. The statements of the Spanish rider are unequivocal: he accuses the Japanese manufacturer of having sabotaged his chances of the world title by constantly modifying the bike and not taking into account his feedback.
Maverick Vinales gave a frank account of his time at Yamaha in the DAZN documentary Maverick: Two Lives,” discussing frustrations over technical decisions he believes compromised his chances of becoming MotoGP world champion.
It begins with his arrival at Yamaha in 2017: “ When I arrived at Yamaha, I came in like a rocket. With a clear idea and a very clear goal, and that's the only thing I asked Yamaha: 'I want to be World Champion. I don't want to be anything else.' » He remembers his first impressions of the bike he inherited from Jorge Lorenzo : “ When I first used it, I fell in love with it at first sight. I said, 'Guys, I'm going to be honest: I've never been on a bike this good. Don't touch it. Bring me this bike to Qatar, because with it I will win the World Championship.' »
However, he bitterly recounts how the engineers insisted on using a new motorcycle: " They told me: 'No, we have to race with the new bike.' Of course, the Japanese always want to improve. I felt good with the new one too, but it wasn't 'that' bike.. »
Then the 2017 season took place: “ In Montmelò, I did the test with five different frames. I didn't understand anything. I arrived in Assen and raced with a chassis that I had only done two laps with. Obviously, I crashed. I lost 25 points.. ». He continues: « I said: 'I want the 2016 bike, don't bring me anything else.' In Jerez I did a test with the 2016 bike, ridden by Zarco, and I was half a second faster. But we arrived at the Sepang test with another new bike »
Maverick Vinales: “ At Yamaha they said I tried to sabotage or break a motorcycle »
Top Gun adds on the following campaign: “ I said: 'With the 2019 bike and a bit of aerodynamics, you can win.' But in Jerez we had a problem with the engine valves. My engines were the ones that had the most problems. Then there was The accident in Austria where the brakes failed. I lost 40 points, which would have given me the Championship. If they had listened to me, I would be world champion today, I am one hundred percent sure of it. »
Maverick Viñales finally arrived at the time of his dismissal in 2021: “ In 2021 I started the World Championship winning. I felt unbeatable. But in Qatar 2 my bike was very different. I started to get suspicious: 'Something is going on here.' In Portugal I could have won but due to a problem I finished 12th »
He also mentions the accusation of sabotage after forcing the engine of his motorcycle: " I didn't want to break the bike, far from it, but to make it clear that I couldn't take it anymore. They said I tried to sabotage or break a motorcycle. I turned off the phone and said: 'I don't want to know anything. I don't care at all.' I just wanted to think about my family »
The testimony of Maverick Vinales offers unprecedented insight into the behind-the-scenes of the MotoGP. It reveals the difficulties encountered by a top-level driver when he does not feel listened to and supported by his team. However, if Viñales' criticisms were to prove well-founded, it would also be legitimate to ask whether the Spanish driver does not himself have a share of responsibility for the difficulties encountered. Finally, the divergences of views between Casa Particular in Viñales et Yamaha created a climate of tension within the team, ultimately leading to a break-up that has clearly still not been digested.
