After Maverick Vinales announced he would leave Yamaha at the end of this season, it left the team without a rider from next season onwards.
KTM rider Miguel Oliveira revealed how Yamaha approached him to ask for his help to replace Vinales for MotoGP 2022.
“The market and contracts especially in these modern days, come to demonstrate that, and we already have one or two cases there, where there is no desire on the part of one of the parties where the rider does not continue with the team or the team no longer wants the rider, that these contracts are broken.” Oliveira said.
“Nowadays, having a signed contract is worth what it’s worth. I have my commitment to my team since last year for two years and I will not go back on that word.” Oliveira added.
Vinales confirmed he will not serve the second year off his current contract and instead leave Yamaha he joined in 2017. But Petronas Yamaha SRT rider Franco Morbidelli confirmed he’s ready to take over the Spaniard’s place in the Yamaha factory team for next season.
“Naturally, this situation with Vinales brought some nervousness to the talks for the future, and I was also approached in that sense, but as I said my focus is on my team.” Oliveira said.
“It’s a great team and I believe I can be world champion with them and I have a contract and even win it. While I’m here there is a lot of work to do.” he added.
Oliveira’s contract ends in 2022, but KTM think that after that date nothing will change. The Portuguese went on a series of three podiums before taking sixth place in Assen.
