Maverick Viñales out of Silverstone MotoGP, Pol Espargaró to replace

Maverick Viñales Pol Espargaró Silverstone MotoGP shoulder injury

Spanish rider Maverick Viñales will miss the British Grand Prix at Silverstone after medical tests revealed a small tear in the infraspinatus tendon of his left shoulder, sustained in a crash at the 2025 German MotoGP. The injury leaves his recovery timeline uncertain and has sparked speculation about his future with KTM.

Tech3 KTM team director Guenther Steiner acknowledged tension between the rider and the factory, noting that Viñales’ contract is directly with KTM and that the team is focused on his full recovery before any return. Steiner said the situation “started before I arrived” and that the priority is the rider’s health.

Test rider Pol Espargaró, who also serves as KTM’s reserve rider, will substitute for Viñales at Silverstone. Espargaró described Viñales’ predicament as having “no good ending,” emphasizing the difficulty of competing while injured and the impact on the rider’s reputation and future seat prospects.

Entities

Guenther Steiner · KTM AG · Maverick Viñales · Pol Espargaró · Red Bull KTM Tech3 · Tech3 KTM

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Pol Espargaró described himself as a “soldier” for KTM. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.lne.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] KTM holds Maverick Viñales' contract and is his main point of communication. www.motosport.com.pt
[● 2 SOURCES] Pol Espargaró serves as a test rider and substitute for KTM. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.lne.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] Guenther Steiner said there is friction between KTM and Maverick Viñales. www.motosport.com.pt
[○ 1 SOURCE] Maverick Viñales is recovering from a shoulder injury. www.motosport.com.pt
[● 2 SOURCES] Pol Espargaró's family includes wife Carlota and daughters Alexandra and Nicole. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.lne.es
[● 3 SOURCES] Pol Espargaró will substitute for Maverick Viñales at the Silverstone MotoGP race. www.motosport.com.pt · www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.lne.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Silverstone MotoGP race is part of the British Grand Prix. www.motosport.com.pt