Suzuki rider Maverick Vinales believes the “pressure” of being linked to a 2017 factory Yamaha MotoGP deal will help his on-track performance.

The 21-year-old is believed to be Yamaha’s number one candidate to replace Jorge Lorenzo, should the world champion’s move to Ducati be announced as expected before the Jerez race on April 24.

Vinales impressed in his rookie season in MotoGP last year, Suzuki’s first back in the premier class, finishing 12th in the standings, one spot behind more experienced teammate Aleix Espargaro. He has taken another step forward in 2016, and Suzuki boss Davide Brivio admitted during the Austin weekend that his squad was doing everything it could to keep Vinales, but knew it had a fight on its hands.

When asked about his future, Vinales said: “For me it’s always good when I have these things on my head. It looks like this pressure will help me to be more motivated and to find something more from my riding style.”

Vinales qualified on the front row of the grid in Qatar, and while a fall cost him a likely podium in Argentina, he finished a career-best fourth at Circuit of The Americas last Sunday.

Suzuki stayed on at Austin for an additional day of testing, chasing more rear grip from its GSX-RR, and Vinales says his immediate priority is on making the most of his 2016 ride.

“At the moment, I think to take up what I have on my bike, on my Suzuki,” he said. “I feel great here. At the moment I think that I need to focus on now and not on the future.”