The lack of acceleration is a known issue faced by Yamaha in the 2018 MotoGP season, for which its riders especially Maverick Vinales is having to compromise his style of riding to get better results.
After a string of non-podium finishes, Vinales has scored two back-to-back to end the first half of the 2018 season on a better note. It was made possible after the Spaniard made adjustments to his riding style.
He had to make the changes so as to compensate for the lack of acceleration on the M1. “We found a really good balance [in Sachsenring],” he started. “Our bike is really competitive on the chassis side, but we need to improve the electronics.
“In the race, I lost opportunity on the main straight because I could not overtake. We are taking some steps and also I am concentrating on [my] riding style – trying to supply what we don’t have with electronics.
“We do it well [for now], but still there is a lot of room to improve. As I said, I’m trying to improve my riding style because if the improvements in electronics do not come, I’ll have to make the difference [myself], so I’m very focused on that.”
The starts has been an issue for Vinales with the full fuel tank. In the last couple of races, the Spaniard said the feeling has improved but once again Vinales lost places on the opening lap before making a strong comeback – this time it was down to tyres though.
“I prepare really well [for] the last 10-15 laps, but actually I didn’t expect to be [running] seventh [after the start of the race], I expected to be there in the front, trying to battle [for victory with the leaders]” he said.
“I think at the moment we recover the feeling where I can be quick at the end. So, we need to improve my riding style to be fast at the beginning. [It is] very low grip at the start of the race, which improves lap by lap. Honestly, it’s strange but it is like this.”
For now, Vinales is third with 109 points but Honda’s Marc Marquez is already 56 ahead after the eight races. Teammate Valentino Rossi in second with 119 points has helped Yamaha to sit on top of the teams’ standings though but the Italian has urged for more help from Japan.
