Earlier today, Yamaha unveiled its 2018 MotoGP bike with new livery … to be ridden by the same two factory riders, Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales. The festivities were held in Madrid, where it was also announced that Viñales has signed a contract to extend his relationship with the team through 2020.
After dominating pre-season testing, Viñales went on to finish third in the 2017 championship – winning three races and standing on the podium a total of seven times. His bike (as well as Rossi’s) was plagued with handling problems, which the team hopes to solve before the start of the 2018 series.
Here is the press release regarding the contract extension signed by Viñales:
It is with great pleasure that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announce the re-signing of Maverick Viñales with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team for two further years. The news was made official today, during the 2018 Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team presentation, held in Casa Del Lector, Matadero (Madrid, Spain).
Viñales finished his first year with Movistar Yamaha MotoGP in third place in the MotoGP Championship standings. With three brilliant race wins and a total of seven strong podium finishes in 2017, Yamaha is confident in their partnership with the 23-year-old Spaniard and looks forward to being a serious title contender in 2018 and the following two seasons.
Lin Jarvis
Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing
“I’m very happy we have reached an agreement for Maverick to continue as a factory rider for Yamaha. The announcement that he will be staying with the team for two further years after 2018 is a fantastic way to start the new season: it shows clear commitment by both parties and affirms a reciprocal confidence that together we can achieve our mutual goal of becoming MotoGP World Champions.
Maverick has been a real asset to the team as soon as he came in. He’s full of motivation and never loses sight of his goals. The 2017 season wasn’t easy, yet he has already delivered Yamaha three race wins and secured the manufacturer its 500th Grand Prix win in his first year with us. Furthermore, he took third in the championship standings after switching manufacturers, which is also an impressive achievement.
Maverick is still very young, so we see a great future for him in Grand Prix racing, and we are very excited to challenge alongside with him during the upcoming three seasons of MotoGP.”
Maverick Viñales
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Rider
“I’m really happy that Yamaha and I have extended our contract by two more years. It’s great for me and the team that we were able to make this announcement this early on, because it gives us a sense of calm: we know that I will continue riding my M1 for the coming three seasons, so now we can just focus on the actual racing. I’m very satisfied with this decision. I have a lot of belief in the team and in Yamaha and I’m happy that they feel the same way. I want to thank Yamaha for their vote of confidence, and also the fans, who are always supporting us. We will continue to work hard. We will be pushing to the maximum at all the Grands Prix and I look forward to three more incredible seasons together!”
Congrats Maverick. May you have success and prosperity.
Now…if readers consider betting against a guy with the initials Marc Marquez, consider putting some bucks down on a team from Philadelphia called the Eagles on 2 February.
Just sayin…
Hard to bet against either MM or the Patriots unless you just like losing money
Good night what a great game. IF I were a betting man, I’d have had to pay the bookie.
Maybe MM can be beat too eh?
And that’s why they play the game…
I hope he feels the need for speed yet stays out of the danger zone.
cue Kenny stage left…!!!
https://tinyurl.com/oxqc3rs
Yamaha Semakin di Depan, yeah i liker it..
re: “handling problems”
PC for DMF (Dodgy Michelin Fronts).
I too think that if Yamaha gets the handling Gremlins tamed, Vinales will be a big factor in 2018. Maybe its just me, but Petrucci just appears to give excuse after excuse when things haven’t gone his way at times throughout the year. Humility goes a long way.
Considering Petrucci isn’t on a factory bike I think he does as good as he can or he doesn’t want to finish better than the Ducati factory riders in a race.
Petrucci does receive a factoy bike.
re: “Maybe its just me”
no not you, just NATCORK.
Would have expected no less. Vinales is a rising star. Yamaha would be nuts to let someone come in at the end of the season and offer him a butt load of money to leave.
I also read that Petrucci won’t be rejoining Pramac after the end of the season.Although by his contract with Ducati IF Ducati doesn’t sign either Dovi or Lorenzo them Petrucci gets a factory seat.. but fat chance of that happening) That would make him and Zarco prime candidates for open factory seats (Possibly Aprilia for Petrucci)