After a lengthy five-week summer break rest, the Red Bull Ring welcomed riders and teams back for the Styrian GP. Round 10 of the 2021 MotoGP™ World Championship was the first of a Spielberg doubleheader and a weekend that neither Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) nor Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) will ever forget.
Having fully recovered from injuries sustained from a heavy crash in Portimao, rookie revelation Martin was back to his flying best on Saturday in Styria, securing his second MotoGP™ pole position with a blistering effort. That form carried over onto Sunday, as the Spaniard quickly dispatched the early challenges of Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) to take P1. It was a position he wouldn't relinquish, though he showed nerves of steel to withstand intense pressure from then World Champion Mir on the final lap.
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IS VIÑALES HITTING THE LIMITER THE REASON BEHIND SUSPENSION?
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REWIND: CHAPTER 10 - PASSING ON THE TORCH
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MotoGP™ RACE RED FLAGGED AFTER FIREBALL INCIDENT
The restarted Grand Prix also saw Mir and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) on the podium, and while there was celebration on one side of the factory Yamaha garage, there was cause for concern on the other. The Styrian Grand Prix was Maverick Viñales' last outing in the Yamaha colours, with the Iwata factory suspending the number 12 for the irregular operation of the M1 before the two cut ties completely soon after.