MotoGP team suspends own rider after allegation of sabotage attempt

Formula 1 is having a break for a few weeks, but in MotoGP the drama continues. One of the top teams there, Yamaha, has suspended one of their own riders.

The premier class of motorcycle racing has already had its summer break, with the first race of the doubleheader taking place at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. However, Yamaha's factory team came up with a shocking announcement, announcing that the team has suspended one of their own riders, Maverick Viñales, for the next race.

The team claims that Viñales made a deliberate attempt to blow up his engine during the Styrian Grand Prix. He allegedly did so by revving his engine too much while entering the pits at the end of the race. The Spaniard is said to have been unhappy with the work of the mechanics during the time the race was halted because of the crash of Dani Pedrosa and Lorenzo Savadori, but he has yet to comment on the suspension.

Viñales announces unexpected departure from Yamaha

The decision is remarkable, as Viñales had problems at the restart which forced him to start from the pits, but he continued to finish the rest of the race, ending in last place. He also recently announced that he will be leaving Yamaha after the current season, while he still has a current contract there.