‘We are obligated to improve’ the start, Vinales wants front start device

Maverick Vinales heads into the second MotoGP race at the Losail International Circuit as the favourite after his dominant race one victory. 

The Spanish rider will be aiming to leave Qatar with fifty points from a possible fifty ahead of Portimao, a circuit where all Yamaha riders except Franco Morbidelli struggled at last season. 

That is part of why Vinales is keen to compete at other circuits before confirming that the 2021 M1 can be a title challenging package. 

Speaking ahead of the second Qatar Grand Prix, Vinales said he has ‘no doubt’ about the bike’s potential, but doesn’t want to get carried away. 

"There is no doubt, for sure I am full of confidence but we stay calm and not get too enthusiastic too early because we know that we need to work," added Vinales. 

"There will be tracks where we need to be faster than usual and to push more because it will be difficult for the bike. 

"But there is no doubt, I’m fully confident in the bike I have, so we need to wait and see and just to face it. Now we are concentrated on the second Qatar GP." 

Vinales and team-mate Fabio Quartararo started last weekend’s race second and third but were overtaken by three Ducatis including Jorge Martin who started on the fifth row. 

With Ducati employing their front and rear start device, Vinales called their launch ‘fantastic’ and is hoping Yamaha brings their front start device as soon as possible. 

"At least I think the start was good. The numbers were good, but our competitors were fantastic," said Vinales.

"I cannot do more with what we have. For sure we will try to improve or at least make another improvement this weekend. 

"We can see that the front start device made a huge difference because the Ducatis are starting much faster than last year. 

"We will try to make that improvement. I think Yamaha is working hard to have it as it is possible but I'm pissed off because it complicates the race and it is different. 

"When you start from the front, you can have, not an easier race but you can control much more the tyres. We are obligated to improve that area."