Overview
- Motorsport.com reported on Sunday that KTM is planning to remove Maverick Vinales immediately and has Pol Espargaro on standby to replace him from the British Grand Prix onward.
- Vinales rejected those reports on social media, writing that he will 'finish the year as my contract says' and that he is working with the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre and his doctors to diagnose his recovery issues.
- KTM's interest in a quick split is tied to a shoulder injury Vinales suffered at the Sachsenring last July that has limited his competitiveness and required surgery and ongoing medical work.
- The dispute has a contractual dimension because KTM had the option to renew Vinales until 30 June but did not extend him and later signed Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio for its factory team, making a 2027 promotion unlikely.
- KTM has not issued an official statement and outlets say the factory wants a rapid resolution to avoid a prolonged public row while it finalises a 2027 roster reportedly linked to Luca Marini and Senna Agius and notes the company has used mid‑season rider changes before.