Assen should be a redemption race there Maverick Vinales had managed to leave the difficulties of the Sachsenring behind with an excellent second place. An achievement that gives the Spaniard self-confidence, but at the same time regrets a lot, as he said himself that he is still far from his potential.
In addition to the route, the focus is also on the market, because a few hours ago the Spanish media detonated the bombshell of Maverick’s move to Aprilia in 2022. It’s a shame that the driver himself denied this rumor during the press conference after the race. A heated conference at which Maverick was repeatedly pressed about his future.
“I read the tweet on Saturday night and the Aprilia rumors are completely false“, Began the Spaniard. “In fact, there is nothing true in what is written. The problem is that in the situation I find myself in now at Yamaha, it is difficult to develop my true potential, which is to be fast lap after lap and fight for victory. “
So, despite the recent troubles, Maverick tried to remedy the situation immediately.
“Benefit from its situation is difficult. I’ve been saying the same thing for three years in a row and every time I come to a racetrack it’s like a nightmare. I explain my problems, but I cannot solve them. I also explained the problems at the Sachsenring, but we couldn’t solve them. In fact, I am far from my potential. “
Regarding the current situation Maverick is going through, he is under pressure while at the same time not sure if he will stay with Yamaha in 2022.
“There are many problems with the situation I am in now and so I cannot confirm that I will be staying with Yamaha. Quit like Zarco two years ago? More than following the other drivers, I try to follow myself and my feelings. I actually want to find a situation where I can get the best out of it by trying to be quick on every lap and fight for victory. “
The relationship between Yamaha and Vinales is undoubtedly the focus of the conference.
“Relations with Yamaha in Japan are excellent, especially with the President. When they renewed me in 2020 he was really confident in me. I can’t help but thank Yamaha for all that it has done on the human side for me and the people who have surrounded me. Instead, I feel bad about the technical support and I have a lot to say in that regard. Last Sunday at the Sachsenring was the worst result of my life and it was complicated. But now there is a month free. and I will try to rest, enjoy my family and also regenerate myself mentally. Of course I’m training to be fit for Austria in August. “
The Vinales press conference is so focused on Yamaha and its future that the race almost seems to take a back seat.
“I’m very happy with this Sunday, especially with the second part of the race, even if I expected a lot more. The result is good because after Nakagami and Bagnaia I had good pace and felt strong on the M1. The fact is, it seemed impossible to overtake Taka given the tire wear when I was behind him, among other things. “
At the end of the race, Maverick’s glass is half full.
“Over the weekend we had to work harder on the set-up, but after all the problems we had, we decided not to make too many changes. Maybe I could have done more in the end, but this result is still good. Apart from what happened to Fabio, At the start I think I had a problem with the clutch because I got stuck and couldn’t start the way I wanted.”
With the race in mind, the Spaniard’s tire choice was then discussed.
“I was a bit afraid of the choice, but I have to say that the tire worked well. The problem is, I was behind Nakagami for most of the race and that influenced me. Then Fabio cut me at the start, which meant that I lost several positions. Without this inconvenience, I would have finished second in the first corner. But that’s how the races are, and something like that can happen. “