Maverick Viñales Is Staying With Yamaha Until 2020
“I‘m really happy that Yamaha and I have extended our contract by two more years,” said Maverick Vinales of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Racing Team. “I’m very satisfied with this decision.”
(Image: Yamaha MotoGP)
The 23-year-old has re-signed his contract with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team for two more years, until 2020. He finished his first year with Yamaha in 3rd place in the MotoGP standings and finished 2017 with three race wins and seven podium finishes. Yamaha was reported to be confident in their partnership with Viñales and looks forward to seeing him become a serious title contender this year, and the following two seasons.
“I have a lot of belief in the team and in Yamaha and I‘m happy that they feel the same way,” continued the Spaniard. “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!”
Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, Lin Jarvis, said, ““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.”