The Spaniard, who moves on to Yamaha for the 2017 season, was a class apart in Sunday’s Silverstone race, as he broke away from the pack in the early stages to secure a historic victory.

As well as being his first in the premier class, it was the first win for Suzuki since 2007 and the Japanese manufacturer’s first in dry conditions since 2001.

Speaking afterwards, Vinales nevertheless admitted he was already thinking his first MotoGP win would have to wait until he had joined Yamaha.

“It is an awesome feeling,” said the Spaniard. “For sure, it is the best moment [of my career].

“Also I didn’t think this year I could do it, I was thinking on next year to do it.

“[I’m] so happy for the team, because they deserve it. They worked so hard, and [even though] I’m leaving Suzuki, this is one of the best things I could do to give to them.”

Cool conditions helped

One of the Suzuki’s GSX-RR’s chief weaknesses this season has been a lack of grip at the rear late in the race, and particularly in hot conditions.

However, Vinales said the cooler weather at Silverstone helped him to protect the rear tyre, which had the team had been working to be able to conserve in the race since Friday.

“Today it was cold, so I was fast,” said Vinales. “We worked so hard on Friday to have a bike that conserved the tyres, and also in Brno we made a step in that way.

“I was feeling great, I was so confident on the front and not using so much the gas like in other races.

“The bike was keeping really good the tyre, I hope this continues even when the ground is hot.”