Maverick Viñales' KTM contract row and shoulder injury stall MotoGP season

Maverick Viñales KTM contract dispute shoulder injury MotoGP team conflict

Spanish MotoGP rider Maverick Viñales says the Austrian manufacturer KTM offered him a factory seat for the 2027 season but supplied a contract that was signed only by one party and later rejected. Viñales claims the team misled him after his strong start to the 2025 campaign, while KTM’s motorsport chief declined to comment on the allegations.

An injury to his shoulder sustained at the Sachsenring caused Viñales to retire from the German race and produced a poor sprint performance. MotoGP expert Tom Lüthi observed that the rider “had no motivation,” stating, "Null Motivation!" and arguing that the contract dispute was outweighing the sporting aspect. With his recovery uncertain and KTM turning its focus to younger riders, Viñales’ prospects for a 2027 seat appear bleak.

Sources

Maverick Viñales defends himself amid KTM contract dispute and ongoing injury struggles [motorcyclesports.net]

11 days ago

'Null Motivation!' - MotoGP-Experte sieht Maverick Vinales durch KTM-Streit gelähmt [www.motorsport-magazin.com]

13 days ago