Not Pessimistic, Vinales's Focus Is No Longer On Fighting For The MotoGP Title

Maverick Vinales (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Maverick Vinales' attention at the Grand Prix of Valencia this weekend is no longer a matter of fighting for the title but how he and Yamaha can improve for next year.

The Spaniard is now in fourth place in the standings with a difference of 41 points from Suzuki's Joan Mir with two races remaining.

However, after finding disappointing results at the European GP, which was also held at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia, Vinales knew where he and Yamaha had to clean up.

"I think the most important thing is that I have a clear answer where we have to be better, that's the clearest thing at the weekend," said Vinales at the Valencia GP press conference, Spain, Thursday local time.

"On the wet track you can see a lot of things with this bike, so it's very important to concentrate during the race, where we have to improve and race in our own style.

"I was able to understand everything clearly. We have a direction now," said Vinales.

Although mathematically, Top Gun still has a chance to win the title, its attention is now beyond 2020 and towards 2021.

"Of course, the championship has now been won. Joan needs only a few points and of course she will.

"Now, our mindset is to improve for next year, because we can't go on with the irregularity of this bike.

"One weekend with our grip won, the other weekend we were overwhelmed, so it's important for us to fix that.

"We have two more races on two different tracks, so I think it's a good opportunity to make improvements," said Vinales.

Meanwhile, thanks to his first victory in the European GP premier class, Mir further widened his distance at the top of the standings to 37 points from his closest rival, Fabio Quartararo.

With a match point to the Valencia GP this weekend, if Mir finishes on the podium on Sunday, the racer, who is undergoing his second year in MotoGP, will automatically lock the world title, no matter in which position his rivals finish.

Or the easiest scenario, Mir only needs to maintain a minimum advantage of 26 points from his closest rivals after the Valencia GP is over.

Mir's teammate Alex Rins has the same points as Quartararo, and is also eager to pursue his first title with Suzuki.