"Impossible" to aim for MotoGP wins on Yamaha - Vinales

Maverick Vinales admits it is "impossible" for him to aim for wins on the Yamaha now and says it "didn't improve" on Saturday at the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix

"Impossible" to aim for MotoGP wins on Yamaha - Vinales

Vinales was buoyed by Yamaha's upturn in form on Friday at the Algarve International Circuit, admitting it was the best he'd felt on the bike since the Misano double-header following a miserable recent run.

Having had grip on the M1 on Friday, it disappeared on Saturday and Vinales could only manage eighth in qualifying behind the SRT duo of Fabio Quartararo (fifth) and Franco Morbidelli (second).

At a loss to explain his dip in form on Saturday, Vinales said: "It is the same most of the weekends.

"We don't improve during the weekend. I was super-fast in FP1, also in FP2 very fast and consistent.

"And then every practice [it] got worse and worse. In FP4 I did four good laps but the rest was a disaster, so... I don't have an explanation, I don't know.

"You have to ask Yamaha because for me it is very repetitive and everything I talk [about] and I don't want to make an excuse.

"I don't know. When the bike goes, I put full gas and that way I can do the same - but I can't say too much."

When asked by Autosport how hard it was to keep positive when the bike seemingly keeps working against him, he added: "Basically I put my expectation very low, that's it.

"This is the way I try to keep myself calm because I don't have the same expectation as I had before.

"Always my mentality was winning, winning, winning. Now I understand it is impossible to do it, so [I have to] lower the expectation.

"It's most of the same during all the weekends, we started to work on a level and then we are slowing down the pace.

"So not much to say. No one knows the solution. I try to stay positive, I try to stay calm and work on the bike.

"From one tyre to the other it's sometimes one second [pace difference] and the next time you don't have feeling and the next time I don't know."

shares
comments

Mir's MotoGP Portugal qualifying day compromised by electronics issue

Crutchlow "put it on the line" for final MotoGP qualifying in Portugal

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Oriol Puigdemont

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Germán Garcia Casanova

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races