It is with great pleasure that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announces the signing of Maverick Viñales to ride for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team for 2017 and 2018. Viñales, who is presently fifth in the MotoGP™ Championship standings, will partner nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi, whose contract renewal was already announced in March this year.

Maverick Viñales, born in Figueres (Spain) on 12th January 1995, made his World Championship debut in 2011 in the 125cc Class. His racing career highlights include the victory of the Moto3™ World Championship in 2013 as well as 3 'Rookie of the Year' awards in 2011 (125cc), 2014 (Moto2™) and 2015 (MotoGP™).

Vinales on the podium at Le Mans along with Rossi and Lorenzo