Yamaha's Maverick Vinales has explained his change in race number from 25 to 12 for next year is an “important” step in moving forward from the “worst two years” of his MotoGP career.
Vinales joined Yamaha from Suzuki last year and won three of the first five races, but did not add another to that tally until last month's Australian Grand Prix, a result of almost two seasons of problems with his Yamaha's engine and electronics.
The Spaniard has branded his two years with the Iwata firm as the “worst” of his career, and is using his change in race number to one he used when he was a child as part of an “important” mental reset ahead of next year.
“When I was just a kid I was riding 12 always, I was between 12 and 100, because 100 was when I was in motocross,” he said on Friday in Valencia after finishing the day seventh overall.
“But number 12, it's many years I wanted to change [to it], but I never felt the best way to do it.
But now I feel I need to do something different. You know, next year is gonna be a new engine, new crew chief, everything new.
“So was the time to change, time to change, new Maverick, so let's see if I can be more great than now.
“Was the two worst years for me in the world championship. So I want to change everything. So I just try to go back when I was so good.
“I wanted to change some years ago, because when I jump to Moto2, it was [Tom] Luthi with the number 12.
“Then I jump to MotoGP in the first years, I don't know why [I didn't change], I wanted to do it but never had the right time to do it.
“Now is the right time, now I want to change. Yeah, it's mentally important to feel good. I think, was time to change and I just felt good to do it now.”
Next year will see Vinales switch from current crew chief Ramon Forcada in favour of Esteban Garcia, with whom he worked during his title-winning 2013 Moto3 campaign.
Vinales has confirmed Garcia will not work with him in the two-day test post-race in Valencia, but will be in place for the Jerez test next week, while new rider coach Julian Simon will be with him starting Tuesday.
“On Tuesday, the new crew chief will not work with me, will work in Jerez,” Vinales confirmed.
“Politically, I don't know, and, yes, Julian will be working with me from Tuesday. No [other changes], just the bike.”
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