Spielberg.- Last Thursday at noon, the tuning fork brand released a surprising statement informing of the suspension of Viñales, as a result of an alleged misbehavior of the pilot in the last laps of the previous test, last Sunday, in this same circuit.
According to the note issued by the Japanese manufacturer, the Catalan’s attitude not only endangered the engine of the prototype he was using at the time, but also his own physical integrity and that of the rest of his trackmates.
A video distributed by Dorna , the promoter of the championship, shows that Viñales drove erratically during the last lap of the race, giving strong accelerations with the clutch engaged, pushing the engine to the limit of ignition.
“I accept Yamaha’s decision. It was a moment of great frustration, after the first few races of the championship that went perfectly. It was like an explosion inside me that I couldn’t manage, and for that I apologize to Yamaha”, declared the Spaniard, in his first public appearance, agreed with Sky Italia .
“The situation has been very difficult to manage, and the frustration led me to drive in a way that I didn’t have to. But my intention in no case was to put myself or any of my rivals at risk”, insisted the runner from Roses (Girona), who despite his suspension decided to stay, along with his family, in the Spielberg paddock.
While it seems increasingly unlikely to see Viñales again on a Yamaha – Aprilia is expected to announce his incorporation imminently with a view to 2022 –, the two parties involved in this conflict are heading towards a resolution that could well end in the courts.
“I don’t know if things can be fixed. What I want is to calm down a bit, let what happened rest and try to come back stronger”, clinched #12 .
At this point it remains to be seen what path Yamaha takes with a view to the next rounds of the championship. In two weeks the British Grand Prix is held, and those responsible for the Iwata constructor are considering the possibility that Cal Crutchlow, the tester, and who this weekend replaces Franco Morbidelli in the SRT team, can accompany Fabio Quartararo in the official training workshop.
(Click on the image to see all the photos of the 2021 MotoGP Austrian GP)
