Maverick Vinales apologized to his Yamaha team for his behavior at the Styrian Grand Prix last weekend and said he was frustrated having to start from the pit lane.
Vinales was suspended from the Austrian GP this weekend after Yamaha found on the final laps that he had over-revved his engine several times before entering the pit lane before seeing the checkered flag at the end of the race. The Spaniard hummed the limiter once again on the way to the garage.
Yamaha indicated that they believed Vinales over-revved his engine to purposely damage it.
It is currently unknown if Vinales will return to the team after previously announcing that he will be leaving the Japanese brand at the end of the season.
Speaking to Sky Italia on Saturday afternoon before qualifying in his first media interview since being suspended from Yamaha, Vinales described the latest string of events as “a very strange situation”. Explosion that I couldn’t properly channel. “
“I am very sad because it is a very strange situation,” said Vinales.
“It is really difficult to be in this situation right now and I am fortunate to have people who are there for me during this very difficult time.
“It was a very frustrating moment because the first part of the race was perfect and I got off to a good start in the second part of the season.
“Then everything went wrong and there was an explosion inside me that I couldn’t properly channel.”
Vinales says the past few days have “been tough to deal with” and that he “never intended to put anyone in danger,” the nine-time premier class race winner reiterated his intention to be because of his “tougher” problems.
“I apologize to Yamaha for doing wrong on the last few laps, so I apologize to everyone,” continued Vinales.
“I have so much desire to win but I haven’t felt comfortable in a long time,” added Vinales.
“I tried, but in the end this frustration made me drive like I shouldn’t have, but at no point did I intend to put anyone in danger.
“We have had a very long partnership, but the last few days have been really difficult for me.
“As I said earlier, I would like to apologize to Yamaha because it wasn’t my intention to end like this.
“I just want to give 100%: Now I am living in a difficult moment, but I want to come out stronger.”