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Vinales to stay with Yamaha for two more seasons

The 23-year-old had finished third overall last season -- his first with Yamaha after switching from Suzuki -- with three wins and seven podium placings.

By Sajith
Maverick Vinales

Bengaluru, January 26: Maverick Vinales, who finished third in the 2017 FIM MotoGP World Championship series has extended his contract with Yamaha for two more seasons.

The 2017 season was Vinales' first with Yamaha after switching from Suzuki where he replaced three-time former world champion Jorge Lorenzo.

The 23-year-old had initally signed a two-year contract with Yamaha. But the new deal with the Japanese manufacturer will see the Spaniard stay there till the end of 2020 season.

Yamaha made the announcement during the team's 2018 presentation in Madrid recently.

"I'm really happy that Yamaha and I've 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," Vinales said in a statement, released on Yamaha website.

"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've 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're always supporting us. We'll continue to work hard. We'll be pushing to the maximum at all the Grands Prix and I look forward to three more incredible seasons together," he added.

The 2018 FIM MotoGP season starts under lights at the Losail circuit in Qatar on March 18.

The pre-season move from Suzuki to Yamaha where he replaced Lorenzo, who switched to Ducati, had done wonders for Vinales.

<strong>Vinales, the MotoGP champion in waiting!</strong>Vinales, the MotoGP champion in waiting!

He started the season in style, with back-to-back wins in Qatar and Argentina and followed it up with another victory in France. Overall he had seven podium finishes and collected 230 points in all for his third-place finish behind Honda's Marc Marquez and Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.

His team-mate and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi had finished fifth overall.

At one stage he even threatened fellow Spaniard Marquez who went on to win the FIM World Championship for a record fourth time.

Yamaha Motor Racing Manging Director Lin Jarvis expressed his delight at having Vinales on board for two more seasons.

"I'm very happy we've reached an agreement for Maverick to continue as a factory rider for Yamaha. The announcement that he'll be staying with the team for two further years after 2018 is a fantastic way to start the new season," Jarvis told Yamaha website.

"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're very excited to challenge alongside with him during the upcoming three seasons of MotoGP."

(With Yamaha inputs).

Story first published: Friday, January 26, 2018, 16:52 [IST]
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