Vinales out at KTM? Fitness likely more decisive than the dispute

Maverick Viñales is in danger of missing the restart of the MotoGP season after the summer break. According to media reports from Spain, the 31-year-old is not expected to race for Red Bull KTM Tech3 at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and will instead be replaced by KTM test rider Pol Espargaró.

However, according to information from SPEEDWEEK.com, this development is not solely due to the recent public disagreements between Viñales and KTM. Rather, ongoing physical problems are said to be playing a decisive role.

The contentious issue of fitness: Viñales has been contradicting himself for months

Sources close to the Spaniard suggest that Viñales requires further surgery on his injured shoulder. This has been causing him recurring problems ever since his qualifying crash at the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring in July 2025. Ahead of the British Grand Prix, further examinations are set to provide clarity on the next steps and his current medical condition.

In light of these latest developments, the difficult Sachsenring weekend also takes on new significance in hindsight. Viñales fell well short of expectations at the Sachsenring. The KTM rider finished the sprint in last place, more than 31 seconds behind. In the Grand Prix, he rode in last place for several laps before heading for the pits and parking his RC16.

Right up until race Sunday, Viñales had consistently emphasised that his physical condition was not holding him back. After the Grand Prix , however, the Spaniard significantly revised his assessment and admitted that his body had ultimately been the limiting factor.

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Vinales and KTM: Can the situation still be salvaged?

These statements were almost lost in the aftermath, as the public war of words between Viñales and KTM dominated the headlines. The Spaniard sharply criticised the manufacturer’s approach after his hopes of a place in the KTM works team had been dashed. Whilst KTM’s Head of Motorsport, Pit Beirer, disputed key points of this account, he also sought to defuse the situation.

Should Viñales indeed be absent from Silverstone, this would therefore not be solely a consequence of the strained relationship between the rider and the manufacturer. Rather, his state of health also appears to be playing a significant role. Official confirmation from KTM or Tech3 is still pending.