Vinales: We did a good job, despite the result

On pole in Qatar and outwardly confident in the new M1, Maverick Vinales - as so many times in recent seasons - lost ground on the opening lap of the race and never recovered.

The Spaniard went on to finish where he had been at the end of lap one, in seventh, albeit just 2.481s from winner Andrea Dovizioso.

But Vinales insists the race result doesn't tell the whole story and is optimistic of being at the front in Argentina this weekend.

"We did a good job in Qatar, during all the weekend, despite what the result of the race suggests," said the Monster Yamaha rider. "The team delivered really great work during the last race weekend, so now we're looking forward to this week's Grand Prix in Argentina.

"This season we're going to take it race-by-race, trying to improve every day. I can't wait to ride at Termas de Río Hondo again - I know what it's like to win there. I hope to have the same feeling again this year and be able to fight for the victory.

"I really think that we can do a good job this weekend and that we will be at the front during the entire race, with the possibility to win."

Vinales was fifth in Argentina last year, having won the event with Yamaha in 2017.