Official: Yamaha and Maverick Vinales end partnership with immediate effect

Maverick Vinales will not see out the remainder of 2021 with Yamaha after he and the Japanese manufacturer agreed to end their partnership early. 

Even though the Spaniard was suspended by the team for last weekend’s Austrian MotoGP, there was a chance Vinales could ride again as their contract agreement wasn’t set to end until after the final race. 

But after deliberately attempting to damage the bike’s engine during the StyrianGP, and already bringing their original contract agreement - scheduled to finish after 2022 to an early end in Assen, both parties have decided to end their partnership with immediate effect. 

Vinales said: "Following our mutual decision in Assen to part ways a year early, it was also decided to commit to completing the current season with maximum effort from both sides. 

"However, at the Styrian GP the race didn‘t turn out as we had hoped, and regrettably it did not end well.

"After thorough consideration both parties have agreed it would be best to end the partnership with immediate effect.

"I am deeply grateful to Yamaha for the great opportunity. I am also thankful for the support they gave me during these 4.5 years of racing and will look back with pride on the results we achieved together.

"I will always have great respect for Yamaha and wish them the very best."

Cal Crutchlow will fill in for Vinales at the British Grand Prix next weekend, however, nothing yet has been confirmed regarding who will ride alongside Fabio Quartararo after that.