06-08
Round up of the events for this week ’ s Round 10 of MotoGP TM
Viñales and Yamaha – a bitter divorce
Maverick Viñales will depart from the Monster Energy Yamaha team at the close of the 2021 season after both parties reached a mutual agreement . The Catalan ’ s contract with the Iwata factory ran up to the end of 2022 , but rising tensions inside the box led to the move , as well as a belief from the rider ’ s end that the current malaise that has gripped him this year would not change unless a dramatic course of action was taken .
An official statement from Yamaha read , “ Following Maverick Viñales ‘ request , Yamaha have agreed to put an early end to their current two-year contract . Currently in their fifth season together , they mutually decided to go their separate ways after this year .
It is believed the two parties came to this agreement on Friday evening at the Assen TT , five days on from Viñales ’ disastrous outing in Germany , where he started the race from 21st and finished 17th and at the back of the field . On Thursday he was still deeply troubled by the ordeal and told journalists he had “ never been so angry in my life ” at how the weekend had gone .
Of the split , Yamaha ’ s Managing Director Lin Jarvis said , “ It is with sadness that we will say farewell to Maverick at the end of the year . We are in the middle of our fifth season together and over the years we have achieved many highs but also had to manage many lows .
“ After the German GP , which was the most difficult weekend of our partnership , we had important discussions in Assen and came to the conclusion that it would be in the interest of both parties to go our separate ways in the future . Yamaha will put in their maximum effort – as we always have done – to give full support to Maverick and finish this season in the very best way possible .”
VR46 Ducati confirmed – with Rossi as rider ?
The paddock ’ s worst kept secret was confirmed at Assen , with the Aramco VR46 team confirming it will use Ducati machinery in the MotoGP™ class 2022 . Interestingly , the official press release mentioned the equipment , but not the rider line-up . It also included a line from Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Saud , the figure behind Aramco ’ s involvement , saying “ It would be fantastic for me if Valentino Rossi could compete in the next few years as a rider in our team together with his brother Luca Marini .” Rossi acknowledged the Prince ’ s desire to bring him to his own team as a rider next year , but gave his strongest indication yet that he will retire at the close of 2021 . “ I still not decide . I also have to speak with Yamaha and the team . The start of the season until this moment was not fantastic . I think it will be very difficult that I race next year . Always the Prince push me for race next year with my team and Ducati . But at the moment I think it will be very difficult .” Moto2™ contender Marco Bezzecchi is expected to join Luca Marini in the squad next year .
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