Maverick Viñales drew first blood in the 2021 MotoGP World Championship with a commanding victory on his Yamaha in the Qatar Grand Prix. 

The Spaniard had shown strong race pace throughout testing and practice for the Qatar GP, but all too often in recent years has that form disappeared and Vinales left to offer a meek showing on Sundays.

But, despite being monstered by four Ducatis at the start, the new-and-improved Vinales took control of the improved Yamaha to carve his way through from sixth at the end of lap one to score his ninth MotoGP victory by over a second. 

World champion Joan Mir transformed his fortunes in the race from 10th on the grid only to be denied a podium on the run to the line by Johann Zarco and Francesco Bagnaia. 

Pol Espargaro’s Honda debut was an “amazing” start - though he was left “angry” by the end result - while Fabio Quartararo was at a loss to explain his deficit to his Yamaha team-mate Vinales.