‘Now finally emerging from Rossi’s shadow...’
Bike: Monster Energy Yamaha M1 2019 wins: 2 2019 podiums: 7 2019 poles: 3 Champ position: 3rd
Maverick Viñales emerged as Yamaha’s ‘main man’ in 2019. Without him the factory team would have remained winless. Victory at Assen and a classic, all-the-way win in Sepang were standout performances. A refreshed mentality and key changes to his backroom staff were the platform for the Spaniard to move out from the previously allpervading influence of Valentino Rossi at Yamaha.
This was most evident by his stubborn refusal to be distracted by updated exhausts and a new carbon fibre swingarm after the Misano test. His instant assessment was that the parts offered no immediate benefit and, two races later by Motegi, Rossi agreed with him.
Instead, committed to finding his own way, Viñales took on a new crew chief in Esteban Garcia and a new rider coach in Julian Simon. And, after previously being prone to becoming confused and quick-tempered, the new calming forces paid off with speed and consistency.
Once the new team clicked, Viñales scored the first of his 2019 podiums with third in Jerez then he built on his Dutch TT win with a strong second half to the season. His new-found focus was then evident in a win-or-bust crash at Phillip Island after a tense fight with Marquez where he unashamedly went for the win rather than securing a safe second. Like everyone on a Yamaha, Viñales was also caught up in the hype around new boy Fabio Quartararo who was establishing himself as Yamaha’s priority for the future. Viñales, however, made events work in his favour. He proved his worth with wins and his bold bid for victory in Aragon where he eventually finished fourth was a result that further exposed Yamaha’s top speed weakness. By so doing, clearly impatient to further his championship ambitions, he opened up his talents to the market for 2021.