MotoGP, Viñales: If we keep going like this the title will slip farther away

The 59 thousandths that separate Viñales from Rossi, both out of the Top Ten, are a ruthless description of Yamaha’s difficulties in the wet. Both the riders reached the limit of a bike that is too low when it starts to rain.

“It’s the same problem – the one we have had since the beginning of the year. If you want, you can just copy my statements from Aragon – they’re the same” Maverick tries to make light of the moment.

Unlike Valentino, the Spaniard cannot make comparisons with the past, but the conclusions drawn are identical.

“The bike doesn’t work in the water - he sums up - It lacks grip at the rear, both in corners and in acceleration. The M1 becomes difficult to ride. We tried to work on the electronics, on the mechanical setup and on my riding style, but nothing has worked.”

Unlike the Doctor, this limit has a heavy impact on Viñales’ chances for the championship title.

“When you want to win the title, you have to stay out front in any conditions, but in the wet, all I can do is give it my all - he says - Marquez and Dovizioso are in the top positions while I am struggling and if it is like this on Sunday too, the title will slip farther away. I don’t know what I’ll be able to do to improve. We have tried everything.”

And in the meantime, Zarco is with the best.

“He used the softer tyre, so that means that I will be able to improve with that, but my direct rivals did their times with the same tyre I was using. That means that we are lacking something. The gap is too wide. I expect this to be a very difficult weekend - he admits - Just remember what happened in Aragon. Rossi pushed at the beginning of the race and I pushed in the finale, but in the end the result was similar, as are our problems.”

Some help from above is needed, in other words, from the engineers.

“But I understand their difficulties - he exonerates them - If it was a matter of finding a few more horses, all told, the operation would be simple, but to solve this problem we need to experiment on the track and it is all much more complicated.”