Maverick Vinales talks about the bumpy start with KTM and the dream of being able to win races in MotoGP with a fourth manufacturer
KTM newcomer Maverick Vinales collected a meager four points in the first two MotoGP weekends of the 2025 season. As a result, last year’s winner comes to the Circuit of the Americas from Austin in 17th place in the championship. A year ago, Vinales made MotoGP history by winning both the sprint and the Grand Prix in Austin, becoming the first MotoGP rider to win races for three different manufacturers.
After victories with Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprilia, Vinales can add a fourth brand by switching to KTM. However, the Spaniard is currently a long way from victories with the RC16. A lackluster twelfth place at the Argentine Grand Prix was the highlight of the season for Vinales so far.
“It’s been quite a long time since KTM last won a race,” Vinales said in an interview with MotoGP.com, looking at his employer’s recent past. ”It would be nice, but right now we are far from it. I don’t want to focus on it too much, because that would cause a lot of frustration.”
“I’m facing a big challenge, probably my biggest so far,” Vinales is aware, adding: ‘Moving from Yamaha to Aprilia gave me a lot of information that I can use now.’
Tough times for Vinales: ‘We are far from the top’
Finishing outside the top 10 is not easy for Vinales. “I’ve always been at the top. That’s why it’s not easy to struggle like this now. It takes time. I have to be patient and confident. I realize that it is very important to always have confidence,” comments the MotoGP veteran.
“I don’t know how many years it will take,” Vinales reflects on possible KTM victories. “It’s always the same: maybe it will take months, maybe a year. I have to wait and see if something will be ready for next year to be really competitive. We have to realize that we are currently very far from the top riders.”
While Ducati lives up to its role as favorite in 2025 and Honda has made some progress, KTM is marking time. “It’s a painful moment because you work and work and it seems like nothing is happening,” Vinales suggests.
Why Vinales believes he will soon make a “big step”
“If I compare myself to the riders who have the same bike, then I’m pretty close,” Vinales is convinced. ”On the telemetry data, I can see that I’m doing some things really well. That’s nice. If I adjust two or three little things, then I can take a really big step and be closer to the top riders.”
“It’s a matter of time,” Vinales encourages himself. In order to harmonize even better with the KTM RC16, the Spaniard wants to adapt his braking technique in particular. Compared to the other KTM riders, Vinales still sees potential in this area.
