---
title: "Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales Aims for Back-To-Back MotoGP Wins in Argentina"
description: "The MotoGP circus heads to Argentina this weekend, where last year's winner will face serious competition."
date: "2018-04-02"
modified: "2018-04-03"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19827/yamahas-maverick-vinales-aims-for-back-to-back-motogp-wins-in-argentina"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "argentina"
  - "Argentine Grand Prix"
  - "Marc Márquez"
  - "MotoGP"
  - "Valentino Rossi"
  - "yamaha"
---

# Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales Aims for Back-To-Back MotoGP Wins in Argentina

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/04/vinales.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The MotoGP World Championship is trading the hot sand dunes of Qatar for the glamorous racetrack and resort of Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina this weekend. Last year it was Yamaha's Maverick Vinales who edged out his teammate Valentino Rossi and the Honda of Cal Crutchlow for the top step of the podium, but [what will 2018 bring](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19816/lewis-hamilton-on-sunday-im-competing-in-motogp>)?

Vinales finished in sixth place and missed out on a podium at the [Losail International Circuit two weeks ago](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19363/dovizioso-and-ducati-win-the-2018-motogp-grand-prix-of-qatar>), but the fact that he clawed his way back from the 12th spot on the grid is a testament to his skill and the Yamaha YZR-M1's performance. The Spaniard, who often interacts with his followers through social media, has been hard at work making sure his physical stamina is ready to face the humid weather and high-altitude conditions found at the riverside racing circuit in Argentina.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhE9wBtBkDJ

The Autodromo Internacional Termas de Rio Hondo is a 2.9-mile Grand Prix circuit located in the province of Santiago del Estero, which sits on the edge of the Rio Hondo River in northern Argentina near the Andes mountains. The main circuit was rebuilt in 2012 to specifically accommodate the regulations set in place by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme and features 14 different corners that range from blind right-handers to high-speed sweepers.

The long straight and various sweeping turns are eerily similar to those found in Qatar, which means that the threat that Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo pose with their Ducati Desmosedici GP18 should not be taken lightly. On the other hand, Vinales and [Rossi](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19278/motogp-champ-valentino-rossi-signs-new-two-year-deal-with-yamaha>) will most likely be briefed on the reigning champion Marc Marquez's horsepower deficit, which can play a big role for the Honda Repsol team as the racing weekend unfolds. Of course, other MotoGP top-finishers like Pedrosa, Crutchlow, Smith, and Petrucci will also be looking to stop Vinales' South American winning streak.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)