After two Yamaha pilots, Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo, had entered the Austrian GP from the front row, the final result at the Red Bull Ring was sobering: The pole setter only ended up in 10th place, the world championship leader was among them Brake problems eighth. For example, old master Valentino Rossi was fifth and the first M1 crossed the finish line.
«This route is difficult for us. We have some very strong drivers who can do a really good lap time when they have new tires. Our motorcycle is good there, ”explained the 41-year-old Italian. “But afterwards, when you have to compete against the others, the difference in top speed makes the race very critical because we lose too much. It’s always a bit like that with the Yamaha, but now the difference is quite big. I hope we can improve a bit. ”
It has been clear since January that from 2021 there will be no more space in the Yamaha factory team for the “Dottore”, who will instead be staying at Petronas Yamaha SRT. Or can he imagine reversing the decision with his results after all? As demonstrated by soccer coach Stefano Pioli, who was actually about to say goodbye at AC Milan.
“I don’t know,” laughed the nine-time world champion when asked by his Italian colleagues. «Of course I am sorry to leave the works team. Everything would be easier there, but I’m still in a good position. We try to put together a good team with whom I am at the top level on the technical side, like in the factory team. Then we’ll see. I’m afraid it’s too late – but maybe if I win next weekend, ”joked“ Vale ”.
Results MotoGP Spielberg, August 16:
1. Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati
2. Joan Mir, Suzuki, +1,377 sec
3. Jack Miller, Ducati, +1,549
4. Brad Binder, KTM, +5,526
5. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, +5.837
6. Takaaki Nakagami, Honda, +6,403
7. Danilo Petrucci, Ducati, +12,498
8. Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha, +12.534
9. Iker Lecuona, KTM, +14,117
10. Maverick Vinales, Yamaha, +15,276
11. Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia, +17,772
12. Michele Pirro, Ducati, +23.271
13. Bradley Smith, Aprilia, +24,868
14. Alex Marquez, Honda, +24,943
15. Cal Crutchlow, Honda, +27,435
16. Tito Rabat, Ducati, +28,502
17. Stefan Bradl, Honda, +28,609
World Championship stand after 4 of 14 races: 1. Quartararo, 67 Punkte. 2. Dovizioso 56. 3. Viñales 48. 4. Binder 41. 5. Rossi 38. 6. Nakagami 37. 7. Miller 36. 8. Morbidelli 31. 9. Mir 31. 10. Zarco 28. 11. Petrucci 20. 12. Rins 19. 13. Pol Espargaró 19. 14. Oliveira 18. 13. Alex Márquez 15. 16. Aleix Espargaró 11. 17. Bagnaia 9. 18. Smith 8. 19. Lecuona 7. 20. 17. Rabat 7. 21. Crutchlow 7. 22. Pyrrhus 4.
Constructors’ Championship after 4 of 14 races: 1. Yamaha 81. 2. Ducati 67. 3. KTM 57. 4. Suzuki 44. 5. Honda 37. 6. Aprilia 16.
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