Vinales: Electronics, chassis gains vital due to engine freeze

Maverick Vinales says Movistar Yamaha breakthroughs from last month’s Misano test on its electronics package has restored confidence with the YZR-M1 but accepts the team will have limitations with its current engine for the rest of the season.

The Movistar Yamaha rider carried his impressive pace from Silverstone into the Misano round by topping the final free practice before darting on to the front row with his final flying lap in qualifying.

Vinales: Electronics, chassis gains vital due to engine freeze

Maverick Vinales says Movistar Yamaha breakthroughs from last month’s Misano test on its electronics package has restored confidence with the YZR-M1 but accepts the team will have limitations with its current engine for the rest of the season.

The Movistar Yamaha rider carried his impressive pace from Silverstone into the Misano round by topping the final free practice before darting on to the front row with his final flying lap in qualifying.

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Vinales puts Yamaha’s gains down to improvements uncovered at a private test at the Italian circuit last month but following the cancellation of the British MotoGP he hasn’t had the opportunity to put them to the test in race conditions.

But with a first front row start since the Mugello round Vinales is eager to avoid his frequent early race pace frustrations and produce a competitive showing.

“The motivation is really high after I couldn’t race in Silverstone as I felt really good,” Vinales said. “I have kept the same momentum and the same motivation and I believe we did a good job on the test and we improve the feeling a lot. Tomorrow I will push at my best and I will try from the first lap.

“I think we have good tyre degradation so I can be strong at the end. Let’s see, I am curious, as we still haven’t raced since we improved the electronics so it will be interesting to see get some data and see if we can be as strong as I was in Silverstone.”

Despite encouraging signs, Vinales accepts Yamaha might be hamstrung by its current engine specification – with a development freeze in place until the end of the year due to MotoGP rules – so its focus centres on improving its electronics and chassis in order to produce overall package gains.

“Yamaha has improved but we still need to improve more,” he said. “The other manufacturers are at a really good level and as I said I can’t wait to improve and help Yamaha develop a really good bike especially for next year as this year we have to deal with the same engine.

“We have to try to build a good chassis and improve the electronics so it will be important to be really consistent until the end of the season.

“I am actually happy with how the bike is working and I am curious to see who it is in the race because the truth is in the race so let’s see tomorrow but I feel quite strong here.”

Currently Yamaha along with Honda and Ducati are not allowed any engine development as part of the MotoGP concessions rules.

Suzuki, Aprilia and KTM are allowed engine development having not scored six concession points across a season. Suzuki remains just one point and one podium away after already gaining five points (one point each for three third places plus two points for one second place) so far this season.

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