The Suzuki rider was among those to struggle in mixed conditions on Saturday, resulting in a grid slot of 13th for the race, but in the dry he made steady progress in the opening half of the race.

After a fierce battle with teammate Aleix Espargaro (who crashed out) and the Ducati of Andrea Dovizioso, Vinales finally came home third for his fourth podium finish of the season.

Looking back on the race, Vinales said: “In the first laps I was not really feeling confident with the front, it was difficult to believe in the tyre.

“But once I believed, I started to ride fast, to get my old pace and to overtake many riders. In one lap, I could overtake two riders, it was really nice.

“Then when I saw I could be on the podium, I pushed just a little more and I caught Aleix [Espargaro] and Dovi quite fast at the end.

“The strategy was to push at the end of the race, [I was] battling a lot with Aleix and Dovi allowed Vale to pull away [for second].

“Honestly, I’m so happy after the disaster weekend, with the shame in the pitlane, it’s so incredible for me. It’s really great to have 16 points and also be in front of Jorge.”

With just two rounds remaining, Vinales finds himself 35 points adrift of Valentino Rossi in the fight for second in the standings, with Lorenzo now only 17 in front after finishing sixth at Phillip Island.

Asked if closing the gap to Rossi in the points would be possible, Vinales replied: “To be second in the championship is going to be so difficult.

“Valentino already did so great at Malaysia and also in Valencia, so we need to work so hard and it’s a lot of gap in the points. But third is quite close, so I will give everything.”

Vinales' podium also means Suzuki has amassed enough points to lose the technical privileges it has held up to now, including fewer restrictions on engine development and unlimited test days with works riders.