Maverick Vinales says his Yamaha felt “normal” to ride again after claiming his first podium in five races in Sunday's MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix.
Both Vinales and Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi came to Thailand pessimistic over its chances after struggling at the Buriram circuit during the pre-season test, which Vinales described as his “worst” with the Japanese marque.
However, Rossi missed pole by just 0.011s while Vinales started from fourth, and took over from his teammate late in the race as the leading Yamaha rider in third, finishing just 0.270s from winner Marc Marquez.
Vinales believes Yamaha's upturn in form is partly down to small changes made to the bike, but more so the tyres brought to Thailand, which allowed him to feel like he was riding a “normal” M1.
“I believe it's the changes we did on the bike, but also the rear tyre is different,” said Vinales.
“So for sure it helped us to turn in the corner, let's see if it's not the rear tyre and if it's the changes we did on the bike.
“Anyway, I felt quite strong in the race, was good and I was as always recovering the gap in the end and I felt great on the bike.”
When asked if the M1's mid-corner pace helped, he added: “Honestly it's quite strange because in Aragon I could not lean, it was impossible.
“This weekend it was the strongest point, where I feel strong is sector two and sector three where you need corner speed, and that's normally our main power.
“This weekend was actually good, was riding like the normal Yamaha, so let's see if we can do it in the next one.
“Like I say, we need to recover the feeling, I'm sure with more confidence I could be fighting more in the front.
“So let's see if this brings to us a little bit of self confidence and we can make another chance to be even more ready for the race.”
Vinales has typically faded through the field at the start and struggled for pace in the early laps this year, but remained inside the top six off the line in Thailand and ran with the leaders.
The Spaniard says a “little” change to the Yamaha's start procedure to make it “a little bit easier” helped him.
“Honestly we work well with the team, I just think in the end with many overtakes we couldn't ride as fast as we can, but the start we change a little bit the way to start, to make it a little bit easier and seems to help.
“[I'm] sure with more confidence I can be even faster, so let's see. As I say, I'm curious to see in Japan if the change in balance on the bike can help.”
