FILE PHOTO: MotoGP - TT Assen - TT Circuit Assen, Assen, Netherlands - June 27, 2021 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Maverick Vinales in action during the race REUTERS/Yves Herman

August 20, 2021

(Reuters) -Spanish MotoGP rider Maverick Vinales and Yamaha parted ways with immediate effect on Friday with British rider Cal Crutchlow drafted in as a replacement for his home round at Silverstone next week.

Yamaha had already suspended Vinales and withdrawn him from the Austrian GP for allegedly trying to destroy his bike’s engine at the previous race.

The nine-times MotoGP race winner was due to leave at the end of the season after terminating his contract a year early, but Yamaha said an immediate separation had now been agreed.

Crutchlow announced his retirement at the end of last season but returned with the Petronas Yamaha non-factory team at Austria’s Red Bull Ring as a stand-in for injured Italian Franco Morbidelli.

The 35-year-old winner of three races now joins the full factory team alongside France’s championship leader Fabio Quartararo.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of Yamaha and to do what originally was supposed to be three races for the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, but the plans have changed,” said Crutchlow.

“I want to thank them and I look forward to riding with the factory team.”

Aprilia have signed Vinales for next season, with the Spaniard joining the Italian outfit on a one-year deal with an option to renew. He will partner compatriot Aleix Espargaro.

Vinales, who started out in 125cc with Aprilia, won the Moto3 championship in 2013 with KTM. He is seventh overall in the standings.

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru/Alan Baldwin in London; Editing by Peter Rutherford and Ken Ferris)

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