KTM making plans to drop Maverick Vinales with immediate effect
Maverick Vinales could lose his seat at Tech3 for the second half of the 2026 MotoGP season, Motorsport understands. KTM has been studying the most appropriate way to get rid of Vinales as soon as possible, having called up Pol Espargaro to replace him at next weekend’s British Grand Prix – which could be extended to the remainder of the season. The Mattighofen-based constructor’s ... Keep reading
MotoGP rider Maverick Vinales may be dropped from his team, Tech3, at the end of the 2026 season, according to sources. The decision comes following a shoulder injury sustained in a crash during the Sachsenring race in July 2025. Vinales, along with a strained relationship with new Tech3 CEO Guenther Steiner, has led to tension between the two parties.
The situation worsened when Tech3 signed Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio, causing Vinales to question his future within the MotoGP circuit. Vinales had committed to racing with Tech3 for 2025 and 2026, but following his contract dispute, he stated, "If I don’t continue in MotoGP, there is only one culprit: KTM." Tech3's manufacturers have been studying the best way to part ways with Vinales as soon as possible to avoid negative publicity during the remaining races of the season.
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