Why Yamaha’s woes run deep

While Suzuki last weekend delighted in its first MotoGP 1-2 since 1982, and Joan Mir’s maiden victory put him within touching distance of the title thanks to a 37-point lead after the European Grand Prix, Yamaha wallowed in despair after a miserable Valencia weekend.

Yamaha was forced to exceed Maverick Vinales’s season engine allocation, meaning he was hit with a pitlane start. After recovering to 13th, his title hopes are basically over. This came after five members of the team were forced into COVID-19 isolation, with Vinales