Maverick Viñales dropped by Yamaha, Cal Crutchlow replaces Viñales for Silverstone

Finally, it was confirmed on Friday (20/8/21), Maverick Viñales has been dropped by Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP from its MotoGP team for the rest of 2021, with the team announcing test rider Cal Crutchlow as his replacement.

Viñales announced last month, that he will leave the team at the end of the 2021 MotoGP season, despite having signed a two-year contract when he penned a deal last year.

The relationship between the rider and Yamaha has continued to deteriorate since the announcement, which includes Viñales who is currently suspended from Yamaha since last week, the team after being accused of attempting to blow up his engine deliberately. Viñales signed a deal last week to race with Aprilia for next season, which could open up the opportunity for Viñales to join Aprilia sooner than 2022 itself.