Maverick Viñales: I don't understand what KTM want from me

Spanish rider Maverick Viñales makes his return to the MotoGP paddock at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi after an absence of nearly three months. The KTM Tech3 rider, who missed the previous five rounds due to a right shoulder injury, has expressed his frustration and confusion regarding the Austrian manufacturer's handling of his situation, admitting he even believed his season was completely over.

Relations between Viñales and the hierarchy in Mattighofen have become heavily strained. The Spaniard has lost faith in both the company's senior management and Guenther Steiner — the prominent figurehead of the investment group that acquired KTM's satellite squad, Tech3. Last winter, Viñales had received assurances of a guaranteed factory seat for 2027. However, the shoulder issues and a subsequent dip in form prompted KTM to change direction, leaving him without a ride at either the factory team or the satellite outfit.

The biggest grievance for the rider is that the official decision was only communicated to him on June 30, by which time available seats on the premier-class grid for next season had already dried up. During his time off, he opted for conservative plasma therapy to avoid surgery on the damaged shoulder tendon, allowing his condition to steadily improve.

After withdrawing during the German Grand Prix weekend, Viñales spent the summer break with his family in Roses near Girona, convinced his MotoGP chapter had reached its conclusion. Unexpectedly, Steiner called to invite him to the post-race test at the Red Bull Ring following the Austrian GP, where the Spaniard delivered encouraging pace during a sprint simulation.

Viñales' objective at Motegi is to navigate every session of the race weekend and see the chequered flag in Sunday's Grand Prix. He hopes this will provide a springboard to staying in the championship, even in a test rider role in the near future.