Yamaha MotoGP and Maverick Vinales will be parting ways with immediate effect, both parties have announced. While the team and Vinales had announced their split at the end of the 2021 season, the events of the Styrian GP strained the relationship further. This led to Vinales being suspended for the Austrian GP and the British GP. However, Vinales and Yamaha have decided to part ways, while test rider Cal Crutchlow will be taking over the factory seat for the remainder of the season. Vinales previously confirmed he will be moving to Aprilia in 2022.
Speaking about the split, Lin Jarvis, Managing Director - Yamaha Motor Racing, said, "In Assen Yamaha and Vinales already announced the mutual decision to cut short their original 2021-2022 programme and to finish it at the end of 2021. A commitment was made by both rider and team to continue to the end of the current season, with the team guaranteeing its full support and the rider giving his maximum efforts so that we could finish the project 'in style'. Regretfully at the Styrian GP the race did not go well or end well and consequently after deep consideration by both parties, the mutual decision was reached that it would be better for both parties if we end the partnership earlier. The early separation will release the rider to be free to follow his chosen future direction and will also permit the team to focus its efforts on the remaining races of the 2021 season with a replacement rider - yet to be determined.
Also Read: MotoGP: Yamaha Suspends Maverick Vinales For Austrian GP
Cal Crutchlow was expected to race with Petronas SRT Yamaha satellite team but has been moved up to the factory seat
"I would like to express Yamaha's sincere gratitude to Maverick. Yamaha will continue to cherish the good memories and appreciate the work both parties put into the 4.5 years spent together that brought us 8 race victories, 24 podiums, and two third places in the 2017 and 2019 overall rider standings. We wish Maverick all the very best in his future endeavours," he added further.
Speaking about his departure, Maverick Vinales said, "Following our mutual decision in Assen to part ways a year early, it was also decided to commit to completing the current season with maximum effort from both sides. However, at the Styrian GP the race didn't turn out as we had hoped, and regrettably it did not end well. After thorough consideration both parties have agreed it would be best to end the partnership with immediate effect. I am deeply grateful to Yamaha for the great opportunity. I am also thankful for the support they gave me during these 4.5 years of racing and will look back with pride on the results we achieved together. I will always have great respect for Yamaha and wish them the very best."
Cal Crutchlow said, "It's a privilege to be a part of Yamaha and to do what originally was supposed to be three races for Petronas SRT Yamaha, but the plans have changed. I want to thank them and I look forward to riding with the factory team."
Vinales was found to be trying to damage his M1's engine deliberately during the final laps of the Styrian GP, earlier this year. The Spaniard later apologised for his actions and blamed it on the frustration of his situation in the race. The rider finished last in the Styrian GP. Reports now suggest that Aprilia is looking to get Vinales on their bike in this season itself. The rider is likely to replace Lorenzo Savadori, who has been a stand in for Andrea Iannone after his doping ban was confirmed until mid-2023.
