Informed speculation from the MotoGP paddock is firmly placing Maverick Vinales in a shock mid-contract switch to the Aprilia team next season.

Vinales hasn’t been shy in his criticism of the M1 in recent weeks and Ricardo, a former Vinales aide and who now works for Dazn, floated the rumour late last night.

The Spaniard - said to be on the second-highest salary package of the current paddock - is reported to be relinquishing the financial gains in favour of a new challenge aboard the RS-GP 21, despite topping the opening three practice sessions on his way to pole position at the Dutch GP this weekend.

The decision would see Viñales leave the Japanese powerhouse in the middle of a two-year contract, and after five years with the factory team, to partner Aleix Espargaro in the Noale squad.

Former works Ducati star Andrea Dovizioso had previously being tipped to take up the second Aprilia seat, alongside approaches to Joe Roberts and Raul Fernandez.

The latter rookie has also been mentioned alongside a promotion to Tech3 KTM, a second year in Moto2 with Aki Ajo or, as the freshest developments unfold, a potential move to the M1 in either Petronas SRT or Monster Energy team colours.

Add Franky Morbidelli’s future, again on either of the Yamaha options, into the mix and the summer break looks to be an interesting, and far from relaxing, prospect - and Garrett Gerloff’s GRT Yamaha team boss Filippo Conti might also be getting jittery too

And you can never rule out Dovizioso who was reportedly 'significantly' faster than Sylvain Guintoli, Dani Pedrosa and Stefan Bradl as a recent private test.

Neither Yamaha’s Lin Jarvis or Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola have been available for comment this morning.