Marco Bezzecchi
Maverick Vinales has admitted that KTM had one particular ‘doubt’ that stopped him from getting a 2027 factory seat.
Vinales, 31, made his return to MotoGP action last weekend at the Catalan Grand Prix, after missing races in Jerez and Le Mans.
Around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Vinales finished in 11th place, ahead of the likes of Joan Mir, Alex Rins and Jack Miller.
Looking ahead, it remains unconfirmed whether he will have a seat on the MotoGP grid, but all things point to Vinales staying with Tech3.
Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez are set to ride for the KTM factory team.
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Maverick Vinales admits KTM had one ‘doubt’ about him
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, Vinales was asked about his future.
The 31-year-old admitted that KTM had doubts over whether he could recover from his shoulder problem, which was caused by a huge crash at the 2025 German Grand Prix.
It has been a roller coaster ride for Vinales so far in 2026, as it was rumoured that he could move to the KTM factory team, but then his future became unclear, and now he is most likely going to stay with Tech3.
As per Motorsport, Vinales said: “I always see myself at the top. When I talk to the people at the factory, you can see their enthusiasm and what they want.
“Then the bosses decide what they think is best, but the people at the circuit are convinced that we can do a great job.
“Personally, I feel great, but in the end, it’s normal. I’ve been injured for practically seven months, so it’s normal that they have doubts, that they want to secure the spots. I understand KTM’s position.
“What I understand is that they doubted whether I would be able to recover from this shoulder problem.
“It’s a difficult injury. I thought it would be nothing, but it’s become complicated. They’ve helped and pushed me to get out of this spiral, and now I think we’ve made it.”
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Vinales also stated that it will not be long before a final decision on his future is made, with details set to be finalised.
He added: “I don’t think we’ll take long to decide. As you know, I had a one-year option; we’re finalising details, but the decision won’t be far off. It depends on how this race goes. For the better.
“Ultimately, the important thing, from my point of view, is that we can test the new 850cc bike before everyone else. That’s the part where you can really make a difference to the project; it can help a lot.
“And if I stay, I’ll be the only KTM rider to test it, and that’s very important, for them and for me. It would be an ideal plan.”
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