Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP fans are now worried about Maverick Vinales’ future in the field after the KTM Tech3 rider withdrew from the 2026 United States Grand Prix.
After Free Practice One at the United States GP, it was confirmed that Vinales has decided to withdraw from the remainder of the weekend due to issues with a previous shoulder injury.
Vinales first injured his left shoulder in a crash at the 2025 German Grand Prix during a wet qualifying session, but he believed he was back to full fitness at the start of the 2026 season.
However, after a CT scan ahead of this weekend’s race at the Circuit of the Americas, it was discovered that a screw had come loose from his operation in 2025, which has been causing him issues in the early stages of 2026.
Vinales will now go back under the knife to try to fix the issue, with the aim of returning for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez in April.
Maverick Vinales withdraws from the 2026 United States GP – What impact will his ongoing shoulder injury have on his MotoGP career?
MotoGP fans fear for Maverick Vinales’ future as his shoulder injury requires another surgery
In a reaction to Vinales’ injury on Reddit, fans were left worried regarding the KTM Tech3 rider’s MotoGP future due to his poor start to the 2026 season and his shoulder injury.
With no contract signed for the 2027 campaign, Vinales could now find himself without a ride in MotoGP for next year.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Maverick Vinales from career stats to net worth
One commenter said: “Shoulder injuries are no joke. I hope he doesn’t need corrective surgery for it. Either way, I don’t feel he’s got too many years left in MotoGP.”
Another recalled how successful Vinales has been at COTA in the past, noting: “Better to take time and heal well. Two years ago, he was so good at COTA. Sad to see that injury and not able to adapt to that Tech3 machine.”
One person compared Vinales’ injury to Jorge Martin’s from 2025, claiming: “Oh man, that sucks, poor Maverick! Man, these shoulder injuries are very, very hard to recover from. Jorge is lucky to be so competitive so early.”
Another commenter said he hopes Vinales can come back from this injury, noting: “Sucks. He was still [the] second fastest KTM in FP1. I worry for his future now. Hopefully, he can come back soon with whatever is needed to fix him”
A bold claim was made by another commenter, as they suggested Vinales is the fourth-most talented rider on the 2026 MotoGP grid. They claimed: “It’s so sad to see a talent like Maverick not fulfilling his potential. Very sad.
“In terms of talent, only Marc [Marquez] and Fabio [Quartararo], and probably [Pedro] Acosta too, are above him. I fear his career is now over. The only thing that kept his form was the lack of injuries. I fear it might be over sooner than most people think.”
One person also mentioned that Vinales’ poor start to 2026 could jeopardise his career, suggesting: “Where he is in his career right now, this is a major blow.”
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Maverick Vinales’ move to the factory KTM squad is under threat
Earlier in the 2026 season, there had been reports that Vinales and KTM were nearing a deal that would see the Spaniard move up from Tech3 and join their factory team in 2027.
However, ahead of the United States Grand Prix, there had been reports that the deal between Vinales and KTM had never been officially signed, and the deal is now suspended.
This decision to put Vinales’ deal with the factory KTM team on hold could be a potential lifeline for Brad Binder in his future with the KTM factory squad.
The South African has looked set to lose his ride in the factory squad, with it also widely expected that Gresini rider Alex Marquez is set to join KTM in 2027. It is possible that KTM could demote Binder to Tech3, but now, if Vinales does not move up, then Binder could benefit.
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