Maverick Vinales’ time as an official Yamaha MotoGP rider officially came to an end on August 20, 2021, following his suspension from the team following his infamous overheating incident at the Red Bull Ring. However, the turning point occurred much earlier. If we had to point to a specific date, January 29, 2020 stands out as the day Yamaha signed Fabio Quartararo to replace Valentino Rossi in 2021.
Quartararo’s remarkable rise destroyed Vinales. As the 2021 season progressed, Vinales’ discontent became evident as he finished second at Assen, behind his dominant teammate. One race later, with a significant 77 point gap to Quartararo, he was sidelined.
Quartararo, on the other hand, took the championship title that year, expertly maneuvering a Yamaha M1 that proved challenging for others. Meanwhile, Vinales has embarked on his own journey with Aprilia, where he could argue he has had the last laugh, or at least the most recent one.
Adapting to the foreign but increasingly powerful RS-GP has prompted Vinales to accumulate more than three times the points of Quartararo’s struggling Yamaha M1 this season. Yamaha can only dream of reaching the heights that Vinales has achieved, especially with his dominant performance at the Circuit of the Americas.
However, Vinales’ success in the RS-GP has unintentionally created a headache for Aprilia on the other side of the garage. It also sparked a potential reassessment of the Quartararo situation, giving Vinales a chance to prove himself against a talented rookie who has joined his team.
However, rumors suggest that Vinales may not take advantage of this opportunity. Jorge Martin, current leader in the MotoGP title race, recently joined Aprilia, after being passed over by Ducati for a place on the factory team. Martin’s arrival could potentially overshadow Vinales, and it appears Aprilia failed to inform him of this significant hire.
During a press conference at Monday’s test canceled due to rain in Mugello, Vinales expressed curiosity about Aprilia’s plans for its riders, without knowing that Martin’s contract was about to be finalized. When asked about Martin as a possible teammate, Vinales responded with uncertainty. Hours later, Martin was revealed, and it became clear that Aprilia had envisioned Martin and Vinales as their ideal lineup.
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola underlined that, if Vinales stays, he will be the “Captain” of the team, recognizing his contribution to the team’s progress and his unique riding style. Rivola also explained that usually the most experienced rider takes command within a team, and Vinales achieved this distinction through his collaboration with Aprilia.
However, this distinction is purely semantic. If Martin overtakes Vinales in the first test, any claim to seniority will vanish. Rivola’s public kindness towards Vinales may also stem from Aprilia’s failure to inform him about Martin’s significant hiring.
Aprilia remains optimistic about Vinales’ future with the team. Romano Albesiano, Aprilia’s technical chief, believes he has found the right configuration parameters to maintain Vinales’ performance. Although there is still room for improvement, Vinales has shown positive progress in recent races.
Vinales had two busy weekends in 2024, but overall his performances were impressive. His double win in Austin showed his talent, and he consistently outperformed his teammate, Aleix Espargaro. Even in difficult races like Mugello, Vinales demonstrated his potential, guaranteeing himself a front row position.
It is uncertain whether Martin will be able to eclipse Vinales. Historically the RS-GP’s design has adapted to Espargaro’s riding style, while Vinales has had to adapt his aggressive approach to the Aprilia’s requirements. Martin may face a similar adaptation process, given his characteristic driving style.
However, Aprilia is not concerned about Martin’s compatibility with the RS-GP. Albesiano dismissed any doubts with a laugh, confident that Martin’s talent will facilitate a rapid adaptation.
Vinales’ main challenge is maintaining consistency. In 2024 he had five strong weekends, but also two disappointing ones. This inconsistency distinguishes him from riders like Martin, Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta, who consistently present themselves at a high level.
Unfortunately, the possibility of a confrontation between Vinales and Martin could remain theoretical. Vinales’ former Moto3 team manager, Ricard Jove, revealed that Vinales has already informed Aprilia of his departure. This news, if true, would make Vinales’ absence a significant loss for Aprilia and deprive fans of an intriguing rivalry.
Perhaps another change, potentially for a fourth manufacturer in MotoGP, as rumors indicate, could provide a more satisfying narrative for Vinales, the series’ final nomad.
© 2024
Football star Lionel Messi signs a contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and becomes the new reinforcement of the French club. After a long and successful spell at Barcelona, Messi has decided to face new challenges in his career and has chosen PSG as his next destination.
Messi’s transfer to PSG is considered one of the biggest in football history. The Argentine player, who won numerous titles and individual awards during his time at Barcelona, will now have the opportunity to showcase his talent in a new environment.
With Messi’s arrival, PSG further strengthens its squad and becomes one of the main favorites to win titles next season. The French club can already count on other big names in world football, such as Neymar and Mbappé, and the addition of Messi increases the quality and power of the team.
Messi’s move to PSG also marks the end of an era at Barcelona. The Argentine player spent more than 20 years at the Catalan club, where he became the best scorer in history and won numerous titles, including four UEFA Champions Leagues. His departure leaves a big void in the Spanish team, which will have to reorganize and find new solutions to fill the absence of their greatest idol.
Messi’s arrival at PSG also generates great expectations among fans and football fans around the world. Seeing the Argentine star play alongside Neymar and Mbappé promises to be a spectacle apart, with an attacking trio capable of unbalancing any opposing defence.
It is not yet clear what the financial impact of PSG’s hiring of Messi will be, but it is certain that the French club invested a significant sum to bring in the player. The Argentine’s arrival is expected to generate an increase in the club’s revenue, both in terms of sponsorships and shirt sales, and in terms of international visibility and prestige.
In summary, the hiring of Lionel Messi by Paris Saint-Germain is a historic moment in the world of football and promises to bring great emotions to fans and sports enthusiasts. The Argentine, considered one of the best players of all time, will have the opportunity to shine in a new challenge and leave his mark on French football. Now we just have to wait for the start of the season to see what Messi will be able to do in the PSG shirt.
