Qatar MotoGP poleman Maverick Vinales says his upturn in speed across the 2019 pre-season is down to a “combination” of bike and personnel changes.
Vinales went 15 months without a victory following his 2017 French Grand Prix success, only ending that drought at Phillip Island last year during a difficult campaign.
The 2013 Moto3 world champion proved quick throughout testing on the new M1, topping the Qatar test outright before breaking the lap record on Saturday to claim pole in qualifying.
As well as a change in race number to 12 as part of a mental reset, Vinales' side of the garage has undergone a number of changes, most notably in the form of new crew chief Esteban Garcia.
“For sure, it's a combination of everything,” he said when asked if his revival in form was down to the bike or his personal situation.
“I change quite a lot the team, I feel much better inside the team. We make a really good plan, especially for this weekend.
“Also with Yamaha we work really good. So for sure it's a combination of everything.
“When I feel good I can push and I can bring the best from the bike.”
Speaking about his qualifying performance, Vinales says the key to his 1:53.546s lap came from improving “some lines” in the second part of the lap, and says Yamaha is understanding his riding style more.
“I didn't expect to go that fast today because it was windy, the track was very slippery, especially in the front,” Vinales, who thinks he is riding the "best" he ever has in his time with Yamaha, added.
“But we did a good time, I mean we work so hard in FP4. We found some lines [where] I [could] really push; especially in sector two we improve quite a lot from yesterday.
“That was the most important thing, we are working in a good way. I think Yamaha understands my riding style and I can push the bike, and that's the most important thing.
“Straight away I felt really good. I didn't make my best lap in the first one, but I was pretty close to the good laptimes.”
