Breaking news
MotoGP Australian GP
Vinales: Yamaha needed Phillip Island win for 2019
Maverick Vinales said he and Yamaha needed the victory he achieved at Phillip Island to give them a boost for 2019.
David Gruz
Published: Oct 28, 2018, 8:41 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Vinales scored his fifth victory in MotoGP and put an end to a 25-race winless streak for Yamaha by winning the Australian Grand Prix.
With only two races left of the 2018 season, Vinales said this victory will give Yamaha a boost that can help them improve for next year.
"Honestly, the season has been difficult. I needed that win, we needed that win, Yamaha needed to start next year.
"I said on Friday we need to be good and we need to be motivated to start next year really good. For sure that win is going to give us a lot of motivation.
"[It is an important win] for me because I started to lose a little bit self confidence, and for Yamaha that I prove I can win races.
"They need to try to provide a bike for my riding style especially in the middle of the corners to turn.
"If we have that, we have the chance to fight. I think if we work well for 2019 we can be strong as we were in 2017.
"We need to be working, the good thing is that I didn't lose the concentration I didn't lose the motivation, I am the same as I was last year and that is something really good.
"Next year I will have more experience and I will be better because I know the worst point of being here racing and the better ones."
Starting second, Vinales had a poor start and was only 10th early on, but then quickly fought his way back into the lead and pulled away.
"Unbelievable day. First of all, I didn't expect to start so bad. It was incredible, when I see myself 10th, I just say 'man, you are stupid, what are you doing'.
"I just try to keep my concentration, we work so good this morning on the electronics and I know if I feel good I could be fast.
"Actually during all the weekend I was in the top three and I just felt good, I just say 'okay, now I have to push', I don't have to think about the tyre I just push and push.
"When I saw myself in three second [lead] I say now I can relax a little bit, trying to save the tyre. Anyway it was close because both Andreas [Iannone and Dovizioso] were coming really fast.
"I didn't expect to be so fast in the beginning but finally I made myself trying to open enough gap, just in case I go down on the tyre I could finish the race then in front."
Vinales warned however that, despite this victory, Yamaha can't get complacent.
"We have a great chassis but we have to improve the electronic and the engine. I really love the chassis because as today, I can ride really fast when I have the chassis for my riding style.
"There is a lot to improve and I think Yamaha have a lot of effort."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Miller was set to replace Lorenzo before Japan crash
Next article Zarco thought horror Phillip Island crash 'wouldn't end'
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
David Gruz
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
World Superbike
World Superbike
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
World Superbike
World Superbike
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
MotoGP
MotoGP
Sepang February testing
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
More from
Maverick Viñales
Maverick Vinales “thinking every night” about future: “I haven’t given up yet”
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Maverick Vinales “thinking every night” about future: “I haven’t given up yet”
Maverick Vinales: “I don't understand what KTM wants from me”
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Maverick Vinales: “I don't understand what KTM wants from me”
Tech3 KTM confirms Maverick Vinales’ comeback for Japanese GP
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Tech3 KTM confirms Maverick Vinales’ comeback for Japanese GP
More from
Yamaha Factory Racing
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
Risky or good for the show? MotoGP riders divided on 2027 weekend format change
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
Risky or good for the show? MotoGP riders divided on 2027 weekend format change
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
Latest news
Pedro Acosta proposes new idea for monitoring tyre pressure in MotoGP
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP 32 min
Pedro Acosta proposes new idea for monitoring tyre pressure in MotoGP
“Just a disaster” – How Isack Hadjar’s nightmare Singapore F1 weekend unfolded
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
1 h
“Just a disaster” – How Isack Hadjar’s nightmare Singapore F1 weekend unfolded
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
7 h
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
9 h
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe