After all the criticism he faced, he might now be a genius!
When Vinales joined Yamaha, having had a successful few years at Suzuki which showed his skill on a MotoGP bike, he was expected to be the next big thing, challenging Marquez for titles. In some ways he delivered, winning races and matching Rossi, which is no mean feat! The problem was that the consistency over a season was not there, and there seemed to be a lack of confidence from the rider, especially at crucial points in the season. This theme ran through his Yamaha career, and came to a head when Quartararo come into the fray, first with Petronas and then the factory team. So, it was assumed that his sudden departure was down to Maverick wanting to get away from the challenges he had from his teammate, but signs are starting to show that the problems may have laid within the team as well!
Yamaha, along with Honda, is probably the most iconic manufacturer in MotoGP, with a vast amount of success with many famous riders. Despite both companies being Japanese, the ethos of both teams, and the way in which they work, does differ in certain areas. Yamaha is known for not making big changes, instead creeping up on solutions, in order to not upset the riders, which may be why they have been so rideable in the past. Conversely, Honda has been bold, which has led to dominant patches with Rossi and Marquez in the past, but also has the tendency to leave them exposed if things don’t go to plan, as we saw in 2020!
Another area of difference seems to be in their style of leadership, as with Honda, we often see Alberto Puig working with the riders a lot, and being very hands on, which looks to have been very effective. On the other hand, Lin Jarvis takes a rather differing approach, overseeing the operations, and using the hierarchical channels to speak to the riders, in a more formal way, apart from when the riders have a go at him. One reason for this could well be the longevity of his tenure in that position, and that through all the experiences he has, such as the rivalries across the garage between Lorenzo and Rossi, it has pushed him to take a more hands off role, and leave each side of the garage to do its thing.
The question now is, has this way of working forced Yamaha into a severely compromised position in 2022. Their bike this year does not look like it is that much different to what we saw last year, and you could argue that shouldn’t be a problem, as they won the title last year, however the riders had clear issues last year that were brought up constantly, especially with the power. Secondly, apart from Quartararo, the riders are nowhere, barely making the points, even Morbidelli on the factory bike, who we know is a great rider.
To me, the cause of all this is clear, and does seem to hark back to what Vinales talked about when he discussed his reasons to leave the team, a lack of communication and confidence. This fairly rigid and ordered structure of communication from the bottom to the top, makes it harder for the feedback at the bottom, i.e., riders’ thoughts on how to improve the bike, to reach those who can enact these changes in the factory. Vinales talked about how the team always seems to think it knows what needs to be done, and the riders have limited impact on R&D, which is not how it should work.
This way of working breeds a secondary, and if anything, much more pressing issue, a lack of confidence and trust. These riders are risking their lives out there, and need to have 100% faith in the machines they are riding, and if they don’t have that, they are more likely to either ride tight, or crash. If a team is working solely like a company, and lacking that friendship and camaraderie, it can be difficult for the rider to gain trust with those around him, and as such lose faith in the bike they are riding. I do think that during Maverick’s time with the team, he may well have felt isolated at points, and not supported at the crucial moments, which a team must do for him. This will only wear away at him over time, and make it difficult for him to ride at 100% all the time. This problem would only become exacerbated further if in a title fight, which is likely why he never got to that position.
Rossi seemed immune to this, partially just because he is Rossi, and he has so much self-confidence, he can probably survive in that environment, but he also surrounded himself with friends in the team, which helps you to feel less lonely and isolated. Morbidelli could well be suffering in the same way as Vinales did, because he has never been able to maintain any form since joining the factory team. There has been glimpses of pace, but nothing consistent whatsoever.
For examples of how it should be done, look at how Aprilia welcomed Vinales, and even before that, how they treated Aleix Espargaro. Also, Davide Brivio at Suzuki, who led them to the title in 2020, was able to support a young star in Mir under all that pressure. Ducati do it to a certain extent too, although with so many bosses at that team, it is hard to know what is going on.
So, what do Yamaha need to do now, to fix the issues they are seeing? Personally, I think Lin Jarvis’ time is up, it isn’t like he is a bad boss, but changes need to be made, and it should start at the top, as his method of working isn’t getting the job done. Hopefully, if this is done, and a younger, more personable face is brought into the team, it should lighten up the atmosphere, and allow the rest of the team to work in a better way, especially in aiding the riders on multiple levels. Obviously, I do not know the hierarchy of the team in detail, but if other changes need to be made to allow this process to happen, they should be done.
In terms of bike development, they do not need to reinvent the wheel, especially given the bike has many good areas. Instead, it is about using your area of greatest strength, which will likely be mid corner speed, and using that to fix your weakest area, top end speed. This could be undertaken in multiple ways, whether it be simply building a more powerful engine which brings with it more weight, alternatively a less draggy bike, or working the suspension different. Most importantly, they can’t put limitations on what they will and won’t do to win, and the riders must be a major part of the consultation in that process. At the end of the day, they are the ones who know the bike best, and the ones that decide the outcome. Plus, if they know they are being heard in their opinions of the bike, they will immediately gain trust in what is under them.
The most telling part of this whole story, which proves that Yamaha are in dire straits, is that the newly crowned champion, who was riding high 6 months ago, is already signalling his intention to look for opportunities at other teams for the future. If that doesn’t show a lack of communication and trust for the team he works for, I don’t know what will.
Yamaha have to take this threat from Quartararo seriously, they need to show him they are willing to change their ways, and listen to him. If Quartararo leaves the team at the end of this season, or sooner, Yamaha will very likely be the slowest bike on the grid, just a season after winning the title. Doesn’t that show how if you stand still in this sport, you go backwards. If that does end up happening, Maverick Vinales will look like the smartest guy in the paddock, who took an opportunity to jump ship to arguably the hottest team right now!
-M
Meaning of Motorsport 