Maverick Viñales is no stranger to the highs and lows of MotoGP. Once known as a title contender when he joined Yamaha in 2017, Viñales' career has been a rollercoaster of victories, setbacks, and team changes. Recently, Viñales reflected on his journey, as he believes he might have become a world champion if Yamaha had trusted his instincts.

A Strong Start

In 2017, Viñales stepped into Yamaha, replacing three-time champion Jorge Lorenzo. Fresh off a strong debut with Suzuki, he immediately made his presence known. Viñales secured victories in the opening races at Qatar and Argentina, and added another at Le Mans after a thrilling battle with his teammate, Valentino Rossi.

“I joined Yamaha like a rocket,” Viñales recalled in the documentary Maverick: Two Lives, produced by DAZN. “From the very first test in Valencia, I knew I had the perfect bike to chase my dream. I begged them, ‘Don’t change anything. Just give me this bike, and I’ll win the championship.’”

Yet, the fairy tale didn’t last long. By midseason, the Yamaha M1 underwent changes that Viñales didn’t ask for and, most importantly, didn’t understand. While his early success suggested a strong title campaign, his momentum waned. By the end of the year, Viñales finished third in the standings, behind Marc Márquez and Andrea Dovizioso.

Missed Opportunities

Viñales is still frustrated by Yamaha’s decision to alter the bike despite his protests. “In Barcelona, everything started changing. I didn’t understand it at all,” he said. “I told them over and over, ‘Don’t touch the bike.’ But they went in a completely different direction.”

Although he didn’t publicly claim that Yamaha favored Rossi’s development preferences, their contrasting approaches added tension. Viñales felt his chances of winning a title slipped away just as he believed he was on the verge of achieving his dream.

A New Start

The partnership with Yamaha unraveled in 2021, with Viñales parting ways in a highly publicized split. Seeking a fresh start, he joined Aprilia, a manufacturer on the rise. There, he rediscovered his passion for racing and even returned to the podium in 2023.

But Viñales is far from satisfied. His hunger for the world championship remains. In 2025, he will race for Tech3 KTM with factory support, a move he sees as his best chance to challenge Ducati.

“There are only two paths in MotoGP,” Viñales explained. “You either become the challenger, or you join the dark side. Ducati is the dark side—it’s almost impossible to beat their factory team, even with the same bike. That’s why I chose KTM. I want to be the challenger.”

Looking Back

Reflecting on his time with three different manufacturers, Viñales has developed a unique perspective on the MotoGP paddock.

“Suzuki was all about pure passion. Yamaha felt like a business—everything was calculated. With Aprilia, it’s a blend of both. They brought back the love for racing I thought I had lost.”

As Viñales prepares for the next chapter of his career, his sights are firmly set on the world championship. However, his journey is far from over.

MotoGP’s most compelling stories often come from those who refuse to give up, and Viñales seems determined to add his name to the history books.