Maverick Vinales: “I don't understand what KTM wants from me”

MotoGP rider Maverick Vinales expressed confusion over his future with Red Bull KTM Tech 3, stating he doesn't comprehend what the Austrian manufacturer wants from him. Following a shoulder injury that forced him to miss five races, Vinales was informed he would not race for the team in 2027. Despite KTM's earlier assurance, Vinales was left out from both the factory and satellite teams, leading to his decision to skip the last five Grand Prix events.

The Spaniard has been working diligently on his shoulder, employing platelet-rich plasma injections that have improved the condition by about 10 percent each month. Earlier this season, Vinales test-ran the upcoming bike at the Red Bull Ring, and the positive results led to an invitation to participate in a test at Motegi – an event he called "very surprising."

Despite KTM's reluctance to race him at the Austrian Grand Prix, Vinales was ultimately allowed to travel to Spielberg for a sprint simulation, which cleared him to compete in Japan. Vinales remains optimistic about his MotoGP career, emphasizing that his story isn't over and he's determined to find a way back to the grid.