The DAZN documentary “Maverick: Two Lives” shed light on the deep tensions that existed between Maverick Viñales and Yamaha during their collaboration. The Spanish rider's statements are unequivocal: he accuses the Japanese manufacturer of sabotaging his world title chances by constantly modifying the bike and not taking his feedback into account.
Maverick Viñales gave a frank testimony about his period at Yamaha in the DAZN documentary Maverick: Two Lives”, discussing frustrations linked to technical decisions which he considers to have compromised his chances of becoming MotoGP world champion.
It begins with his arrival at Yamaha in 2017: « when I arrived at Yamaha, I went in like a rocket. With a clear idea and a very clear objectiveand this is the only thing I asked from Yamaha: 'I want to be World Champion. I don't want to be anything else.' » He remembers his first impressions of the motorcycle inherited from Jorge Lorenzo :
« When I used it for the first time, I fell in love with it at the first moment. I said, 'Guys, I'll be honest: I've never experienced 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 recounts with bitterness 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 about the new one too, but it wasn't 'that' bike.
»
Then the 2017 season unfolded: “ In Montmelò,
I did the test with five different frames. I didn't understand anything. I arrived at Assen and raced with a chassis that I had only done two laps with. Obviously, I fell. 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 Viñales: « 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 little aerodynamics, you can win.' But in Jerez we had a problem with the engine valves. My engines 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'm one hundred percent sure. »
Maverick Viñales finally arrives at the moment 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: 'There's something 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 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 Viñales offers unique insights behind the scenes of MotoGP. It reveals the difficulties encountered by a high-level pilot when he does not feel listened to and supported by his team. The fact remains that if Viñales' criticisms prove to be well-founded, it would also be legitimate to wonder whether the Spanish pilot does not himself have some responsibility for the difficulties encountered. Finally, the differences of views between Vinales et
Yamaha created a climate of tension within the team, ultimately leading to a breakup which is clearly still not digested.
