KTM star continues war of words with Guenther Steiner: 'All I get is a beating'

The 31-year-old was long rated as a future MotoGP champion, but may now be leaving the sport altogether, having failed to finish higher than 11th this season.

A Moto3 champion in 2013, the Spaniard twice fought for the title with Yamaha in the premier class in 2017 and 2019, finishing third on both occasions.

Now at KTM’s satellite team, things are going from bad to worse, and jibes between the rider and team bosses Guenther Steiner and Pit Beirer aren’t soothing tensions.

Speaking after having to retire in last place at the Sachsenring, 10-time MotoGP race winner Vinales made sure his voice was heard while talking to the media:

Vinales now has four weeks to recover for the British Grand Prix in August but doesn’t have much in the way of ideas:

Vinales' comments may not go down well in Austria, particularly with Tech3 CEO and owner Steiner.

Speaking at the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of June to GPBlog and others, ‘Top Gun’ said if he isn’t in MotoGP next year it will be solely down to KTM as he’s only just been allowed to talk to other teams with the 2027 grid already filling up.

Responding in strong terms, former Haas Formula 1 team principal Steiner said: "This is a performance-based business and the only thing you're judged on is your performance. You know that. So I think to blame KTM for anything is a little bit far-fetched, to say the least. I wouldn't go with that one.

Vinales now has no option of a call-up to the factory team, who have named Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio for 2027.

Tech3’s line-up is unclear, but Vinales is unlikely to be on it, and KTM general manager doesn’t see his problems being fixed elsewhere: