Maverick Vinales says he did not join the factory Yamaha MotoGP team to “be eighth”, after a difficult Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.
Vinales joined Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi on the front row in third, after the Japanese marque made a step forward with the M1 in hot conditions.
But the Spaniard slid to the lower reaches of the top 10 at the start of the Mugello race, and could only salvage eighth while Rossi made it onto the podium in third.
Vinales says he could not “ride the bike” on Sunday in the early stages, but was able to lap in podium pace after 10 laps, before “destroying” his front tyre in his bid to close down the leaders.
“In the race, I could not ride this bike,” a disgruntled Vinales said.
“I don't know, I lose the front every corner in the first laps. So, honestly, it's a shame, because after that I was one of the fastest riders on track after lap 10.
“Finally I destroyed the front tyre and I cannot attack to be on the podium. I try my best, the bike is not working but we are there.
“I hope Yamaha can make the bike work, because we have the chance to win races and we have the chance to be in the front of the championship.”
Vinales now sits third in the standings and 28 points adrift of championship leader Marc Marquez, and has asked Yamaha 'to give more effort' to make the bike work better in the race, having felt strong in Saturday's FP4 with an identical set-up and tyre combination.
“Honestly, I just ask that they make the bike work in the races because we made the bike work in FP4,” he added.
“But in the race it was another bike. Set-up [was] the same, tyres [were] the same, but the feeling on the bike was really bad.
“I don't know, I just ask Yamaha to give me more effort, especially on my side and they give me the bike to win.
“I'm with Yamaha to win, not to be eighth or fighting against other riders.”
