Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales thinks that the lack of the slipstream to help him close on the leading duo in the British GP at Silverstone hindered his shot at victory.
Vinales crossed the line third, just 0.620 behind race winner Alex Rins, but rued the lack of a tow at the high-speed Silverstone venue.
The Spaniard was forced to fight back from sixth on the grid, and by the time he had moved past team-mate Valentino Rossi for third he was 2.6 seconds behind then race-leader Marc Marquez’s Honda.
He then displayed very similar pace to the leading pair, the gap yo-yoing between 2.5 and 3 seconds for most of the race until he was able to make strides as Rins and Marquez began to battle in the closing laps.
The Yamaha man-who won the Dutch TT in June- was able to get within slipstream range for the final lap, but simply ran out of time to challenge either the Honda or Suzuki men for the win.
Vinales said following the race that not having a slipstream around the 3.6 mile Northamptonshire circuit was particularly costly, and that he likely could have fought for victory had he been in range sooner.
“My problem was that I couldn’t get the slipstream,” said Vinales.
“If I was able to get the slipstream I think I could’ve closed the gap, being alone here at Silverstone is always very difficult and I tried every lap to close in but it was impossible.
“Honestly I didn’t get faster too late I was pushing to the maximum the whole race I just couldn’t quite get close enough.
“I wasn’t able to close the gap to the top guys, I think we took the maximum from the bike every lap and I tried to be the best every lap.”
Vinales was buoyed by the pace he showed during the 20 lap contest however, and is looking forward to the pre-event Misano test next week to try and make more headway with the rapidly improving Yamaha M1 machine.
“I had a good feeling throughout the race and to be the first Yamaha rider is always great and we have the potential to improve so we go into the very important Misano test to try and continue improving.
“It’s important to be happy because finally we have taken more than the bike permitted during the weekend so it’s really good.
“I think it’s important to improve the bike for Misano, we can use the test to improve but I think we’ll be close.
“I’m starting to get confidence again with the bike and I’ll think we’ll be good there.”
