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Maverick Vinales believes he can build on his already-rapid start with the Yamaha MotoGP team by toning down his aggression.

Vinales has joined Yamaha from Suzuki to replace three-time champion Jorge Lorenzo, and has topped all three official tests since taking over last November.

The Spaniard won a race last year on his way to fourth in the championship and has been tipped as a title contender with his new team, having led reigning champion Marc Marquez by 0.294 seconds at Phillip Island last month.

Asked if he felt ready to fight for the championship at the end of that test, Vinales said: "Today, about all of the conditions, I think yes.

"I think the bike is ready. Still we have to improve a little bit the electronics, a little bit the braking points, I have to improve, too.

"I have to be better for the bike, more smooth, sometimes I am too aggressive and I move the bike so I cannot be as fast as I could be if I had been 100% smooth and going on the line.

"The speed is there. We need to still work in some areas, to be at 100% for the first race, but I feel great in the team, and that's the main thing."

Vinales has also shown promising form over longer runs in testing, although he said he had to cut a race simulation at Phillip Island short because he was being followed by Marquez.



The 21-year-old acknowledged that even with Honda's engine issues, Marquez will be a factor this year.

"He's really strong," Vinales said.

"His braking points are quite amazing, he's good there and in that area we have to improve."

Yamaha left Phillip Island still yet to make a decision on which chassis it will use this season, with the final pre-season test starting in Qatar on Friday, ahead of of the season opener at the Losail circuit on March 26.