Marco Bezzecchi
The Grand Prix of Qatar was the best race of the 2025 MotoGP campaign so far and was filled with suspense and drama.
Nobody expected Maverick Vinales to come out of nowhere and compete for victory in the desert, leading multiple laps on Sunday.
It was a significant showing for both KTM and their satellite Tech3 team. It confirmed that perhaps their bike does have some potential.
However, the Grand Prix of Qatar was to end in tears for them, as Vinales was handed a post-race penalty for a tyre pressure infringement, which demoted him to 14th.
KTM will love what Vinales said about feeling at home on the bike during his fourth weekend on their machinery. It’s still relatively new to him.
The Spaniard has made it clear that he wants KTM to honour one contract clause. He would still like to receive his bonus for reaching the podium.
Herve Poncharal admits he hasn’t ‘slept’ since Maverick Vinales’ Qatar Grand Prix penalty
It was a gutting outcome for Vinales to be stripped of what was by far his best result of the season. He hadn’t finished higher than 12th before Qatar.
It was such a gut-punch that team boss Herve Poncharal revealed he faced one lasting side-effect from the steward’s decision.
“When you look back, memories tend to blur, but this incident is still fresh in our minds. It constantly preoccupied the team and me, and the impact is therefore greater and more lasting than events that happened 20 years ago,” he told GPOne.
“I can tell you quite honestly, I haven’t slept a wink for two days. I’ve had sleepless nights since Sunday. My energy is running low, and I can’t think of anything else at the moment.”
KTM were up to second in the constructors’ championship, but the loss of 18 points means that they have fallen behind Honda.
READ MORE: Tech3 rider Maverick Vinales trying to avoid saying one thing about KTM, ‘I’ll get frustrated’
Why Maverick Vinales’ result gives hope to Pedro Acosta and KTM
Acosta campaigned for MotoGP rules to change after his rival had a big result taken from him just hours after the Grand Prix.
However, his performance will have been encouraging for the 20-year-old, who has been searching for a similar vein of pace all season.
With rumours of Acosta joining Honda for 2026, it was the perfect time for KTM to show their superstar that they may be able to compete.
He got close to a maiden victory in 2024, and he will be desperate to go one step further in 2025. KTM must continue to show him that they have the potential to compete at the front.
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