Guenther Steiner leaves world champion baffled by latest KTM decision
Vinales has been left stunned by Steiner again (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool & Race Pictures)
Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Maverick Vinales has opened up the next chapter on his bizarre relationship with Tech3 KTM and CEO Guenther Steiner.
Vinales will return to action for the satellite team this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix, having missed the last four races with an ongoing shoulder issue.
A world champion in Moto3 and regular MotoGP title contender, the 31-year-old signed for Tech3 in the hope he’d be promoted to the KTM factory team.
However, this season it quickly became clear he wouldn’t and then, to make matters worse, he was left off the 2027 grid altogether.
Throughout the surprise turn of events, Vinales has publicly clashed with Steiner over what he sees as a lack of support, only for the former Haas F1 team principal to bite back.
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Steiner makes unexpected call after KTM clashes
So when Steiner called him over to discuss returning to the bike for a testing session in Austria, Vinales was left baffled.
“I thought I wasn't going to race again this year,” he told Piel de Asfalto in Motegi.
“I was very surprised that they called me to do the test, and even more so that they let me try next year's bike.
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“The truth is, I don't get it at KTM. I just don't understand what they want from me.
“I've often tried to find some logic in everything that's happened to me in these last four months, and I just can't see it anywhere.”
Steiner's management has baffled Vinales (Red Bull Content Pool)
“The truth is, I don't get it at KTM. I just don't understand what they want from me."- Maverick Vinales
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Steiner and Vinales repeatedly clashed in public
Tensions blew up in Assen earlier this year when Vinales said if he wasn’t on the 2027 grid, it would be due to Tech3 not supporting him or releasing him.
Steiner replied in an interview with GPblog, saying the Spaniard’s performances were instead to blame.
During his last appearance at the German Grand Prix, Vinales gave up on the weekend due to his shoulder struggles and then attacked the team again.
He commented: "Nothing helps me. Now I need the affection of the team to support me, and instead, I only get beaten.
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"It's very difficult to keep pushing when you're in pain and unmotivated; it's really complicated.
“I insist: just when I need a push from the team, it feels like they're putting a foot down my neck.”
Steiner called the comments ‘far-fetched’ and again blamed Vinales’ performance.
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MotoGP comeback still targeted despite 2027 exit
Whichever side you take, the result is that Vinales won’t be on next year’s grid, and he also won’t be heading to WorldSBK like a number of this year’s MotoGP grid are.
In fact, he still thinks he can come back in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
He added: “I don't think my story in MotoGP is finished. I'm not ready to give up. I have to find a way to come back.
“I prefer to stay home and wait for an opportunity to arise, rather than go to WorldSBK.”
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Vinales is now having injections to ease his shoulder issues, but thinks the new regulations will also help him.
He finished: “My shoulder won’t be the same as before, but it’s good enough to ride.
“Even more so next year’s bikes, which are like Moto2, but with a much more powerful engine.”
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