Miguel Oliveira. Image: MotoGP.com
Factory KTM rider Miguel Oliveira has announced that he has been contacted by Yamaha to find a replacement for Maverick Viñales.
Yamaha has a place on their factory team after the Spaniard was released from his contract at the end of the current campaign, but most of the current factory riders are already locked up for 2022.
Among them is Red Bull KTM’s Oliveira, a three-time MotoGP winner, though that didn’t seem to stop the Iwata brand from coming forward.
“Speaking of the market and contracts, especially in this day and age, I’ve shown that – and there have already been a case or two – if the rider on the team isn’t willing to continue, those contracts are broken,” he told Motorcycle Sports, an outlet in his native Portugal.
“Having a signed contract is worth what it’s worth today.
“I signed up for my team for two years last year and I will respect my word.
“Of course, this Viñales situation brought some nervousness into the future talks.
“I was approached about this too, but as I said, my attention is focused on my team.
“They are a great team and I think I can become world champions with them and I have a contract.”
Oliveira is only seventh in the championship after a tough start to the season for KTM, but has achieved three podiums in the last four races, including a win at the Catalan Grand Prix.
As for another possible replacement for Viñales, satellite Yamaha rider Franco Morbidelli is seen as an obvious candidate despite being under contract from his SRT team rather than factory direct.
The MotoGP season 2021 will resume after the summer break from August 6th to 8th at the Red Bull Ring.