– The future of Maverick Vinales at Tech3-KTM remains unclear even after the British Grand Prix last weekend. However, team owner Günther Steiner contradicts recent speculation that the Spaniard had already been prematurely released from his contract.
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When directly asked whether Vinales is currently not dismissed, Steiner answered unequivocally in Silverstone: “No, at this moment Maverick is not dismissed.”
This leaves the situation around the 31-year-old open and complicated for the time being. Vinales missed Silverstone due to his recurring shoulder problems, while KTM test and reserve rider Pol Espargaro took over his motorcycle.
The fact that this replacement could extend beyond the weekend recently fueled speculation about the immediate end of Vinales’ time at Tech3. However, Steiner did not want to participate in these discussions. For him, the health situation of the Spaniard is the priority.
Steiner: Health comes first
“The situation obviously arose without anyone choosing it, not even him,” explains Steiner. What is crucial for him is that the health problems are not ignored when assessing the situation. “The fundamental problem is that there is a health issue with his shoulder.”
The Tech3 CEO also emphasizes that he himself does not have the medical details. “I do not know the exact details. And by the way: I am not a doctor,” Steiner clarifies. There are different assessments about why the problems exist and what measures are necessary.
For Steiner, one question is more important than the sporting future of the rider: “For me, the most important thing is that he gets healthy for his own sake. That is the most important thing. Whether he then rides a motorcycle or not… First, the body must be put back in order,” the 61-year-old emphasizes.
Photo gallery: The career highlights of Maverick Vinales
The shoulder injury has accompanied Vinales since his serious crash at the 2025 German Grand Prix. In spring 2026, the Spaniard had to pause again after a screw inserted in his left shoulder had shifted. After surgery, he returned to the MotoGP field in Barcelona, but the physical problems remained a recurring issue.
Return to KTM still possible
Steiner explicitly did not want to confirm on the sidelines of the Silverstone race that Vinales should no longer race for Tech3 in principle. When asked whether there is still the intention to put the Spaniard back on the motorcycle, he replied: “If the health is back, yes. But we have to see.”
At the same time, it has not yet been decided what needs to happen next. Steiner again refers to the judgment of the doctors: “I do not want to exceed my knowledge of the situation. They have to clarify it – he and the doctors, not me.”
Meaning: First it must be established that Vinales is physically fully capable again. Only then can it be seriously assessed whether and how things will continue with him in the KTM environment.
Steiner: Vinales is under contract with KTM
One peculiarity of the situation lies in the contract structures. Although Steiner, as team owner of Tech3, is responsible for racing operations, Vinales’ contract does not run directly through the team led by Steiner. That is exactly why the former Haas team boss deliberately holds back on the matter.
“His communication line mainly runs through KTM,” explains Steiner. “I am the team principal. But as it is set up, he is under contract with KTM.” Steiner took over this constellation when joining the team. “I could not change that. Therefore, I basically have to stay in my box.”
The South Tyrolean sees this as a clear boundary: He has an opinion on how communication in the matter has gone. But he does not want to share it publicly.
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“If you are not responsible or contractually involved, you have no power anyway,” says Steiner. “Those who have the power have to take care of it. And that is right.” He respects his contracts and does not want to interfere in matters for which he is not responsible.
However, Steiner still describes his cooperation with KTM as well functioning. “I am in contact with KTM. I am informed. They communicate very well with me about what is being done, and I am satisfied with that,” he emphasizes.
“I have never had a situation like this before”
Steiner openly admits that the situation is unusual. In his long motorsport career, he has never experienced a comparable situation. Normally, it is clear what problem a driver has and what needs to be done afterwards.
The case of Vinales is different: “At the moment there is this thing, and we do not really know what needs to be done. Not even the doctors can decide what needs to be done. So no: I have never dealt with something like this before. But in life, there is always something new to learn.”
However, the health issue is only one side of the story. At the same time, the relationship between Vinales and KTM has recently deteriorated significantly.
The Spaniard had publicly expressed his frustration about the handling of his contract situation and had stated, among other things, that KTM initially gave him hopes of a place in the factory team. Later, he complained that an agreement promised from his point of view was not kept.
When asked about this, Steiner responds diplomatically: “It takes two to tango. At the same time, he explicitly does not want to pass judgment on the past. The disputes had already started before his time.
“Who am I to judge that?” He does not want to evaluate who is right or wrong in this conflict. Instead, it is about shaping the future differently. “What I try for the future – not better or worse – is to deal correctly with everyone around me,” explains Steiner.
He admits that there apparently was “a bit of friction” between the parties involved. “That was before me. I cannot change that. And I do not want to be part of it.” He sees his task in setting up the Tech3 team for the future.
Pairing for 2027 “hopefully soon” fixed
This necessarily includes driver planning for the coming season. It was already clear before Silverstone that Vinales’ future at Tech3 beyond 2026 is extremely uncertain. Steiner had hinted at a new beginning for the team in the weeks before. Candidates for the two seats included Luca Marini as well as Moto2 riders Senna Agius and Manuel Gonzalez.
In addition, Steiner had made it clear some time ago that he did not want to simply continue old structures. Tech3 should stand more on its own feet in the future, while drivers should be contracted directly through the team.
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At Silverstone, he could not yet announce the final lineup. “Hopefully soon,” was his statement. He had actually intended to announce the decisions before the British Grand Prix. “But we are not ready yet. Definitely in the next few weeks,” Steiner announces.
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