Issued on: 08/20/2021 – 11:20 amChanged: 08/20/2021 – 11:18 am
Paris (AFP)
Maverick Vinales will leave the Yamaha MotoGP team with immediate effect following a disagreement between the two, the Japanese manufacturer said in a statement on Friday.
After the Dutch GP at the end of June, it became known that the Spaniard, who had already signed with Aprilia for the next season, would terminate his contract and leave at the end of the season.
However, other problems followed at the Styrian GP, which resulted in Vinales being banned and missing the Austrian GP.
“Following the Dutch GP, it was announced that Yamaha and Maverick Vinales will prematurely end their two-year contract for 2021-2022 at the end of the current MotoGP season,” Yamaha said in a statement.
“After the recent events at the GP Styria and after careful consideration by both sides, the mutual decision was made to part ways with immediate effect.”
The 26-year-old rider, who won the season opener in Qatar and is currently seventh in the world championship, was suspended from the Austrian Grand Prix a week earlier on suspicion of motorcycle damage at the Styrian GP.
Vinales stalled after a crash when restarting the race and pitted on the last lap.
Yamaha said they suspended him because of the way he treated the bike late in the race.
Vinales apologized for his behavior before announcing his deal with Aprilia.
“I will always have great respect for Yamaha and wish them all the best,” said Vinales on Friday.
© 2021 AFP