Maverick Vinales admits there was one particular ‘doubt’ that prevented KTM from getting a factory seat for 2027.
Vinales, 31, returned to MotoGP action last weekend after missing races at Jerez and Le Mans at the Catalan Grand Prix.
Viñales finished 11th at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, ahead of Joan Mir, Alex Rins and Jack Miller.
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen whether he will have a seat on the MotoGP grid, however Everything points to Vinales staying with Tech 3.
Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez are set to ride for the KTM factory team.
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Maverick Vinales admitted that KTM had a ‘doubt’ about him
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, Vinyls He was asked about the future.
The 31-year-old admits that KTM In the year There were doubts about whether he would be able to recover from a shoulder problem in a major crash at the 2025 German Grand Prix.
It’s been a roller coaster ride for Vinales so far in 2026 as he’s been rumored to be moving to the KTM factory team, but his future has become clearer and now he’s likely to stay with him. Tech3.
as a Motor sportVinales said: “I always see myself at the top, when I talk to the people in the factory, you can see their enthusiasm and what they want.
“Then the bosses decide what they think is best, but the people of the district are confident that we can do a good job.
Personally, I feel good, but in the end it’s normal. I’ve been injured for seven months, so it’s normal for them to be hesitant to keep the positions. I understand KTM’s position.
“What I understand is that they had doubts that I would be able to recover from this shoulder problem.
“It’s a tough injury. I thought it would be okay, but it just got complicated. They helped me get out of that cycle and pushed me, and I think we’ve done it now.”
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Vinales also stated that it won’t be long until he makes a final decision on his future and details are about to be finalised.
He added: “I don’t think we’ll take too long to decide. As you know, I had a one-year option. We’re finalizing the details, but the decision won’t be far away. It depends on how this race goes. For good.”
“At the end of the day, the most important thing in my view is that we can test the new 850cc bike before anyone else. This is the part where you can make a difference in 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’s a great plan.”
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