Maverick Vinales has launched a scathing critique of MotoGP rider contracts after revealing he was forced to race in Australia despite severe physical limitations. The Spanish rider admitted that financial penalties in his KTM agreement left him with no option other than competing while still recovering from major shoulder surgery.
The physical ordeal stems from a heavy crash during qualifying at the Sachsenring in 2025, which caused a dislocated shoulder, a fracture of the greater tuberosity, and damage to the supraspinatus ligament. The injury required two separate surgeries, including an operation to remove a metal plate that was causing further complications during the season.
These ongoing physical struggles have severely impacted his campaign, leaving him as the lowest-ranked full-time rider with only six points after missing seven rounds. The disappointing statistical return has ultimately cost him his seat on the grid for the upcoming championship season.
During the weekend at Phillip Island—historically one of his favorite venues—the rider struggled immensely due to severe pain and restricted movement in his upper left torso. The physical strain forced him to retire prematurely on lap seven of the sprint race after adopting an extremely unnatural riding position to cope with the agony.
"For me, racing like this makes no sense, because I’m the first one who doesn’t want to be running at the back, and because I’m having a really hard time. My shoulder hurts, but if I stay at home, I don’t get paid," Vinales told Autosport when discussing his presence on the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 machine despite his compromised physical condition.
According to the terms of his contract with the manufacturer, riders are only permitted to miss a maximum of three grands prix before salary deductions are enforced. This rigid contractual stipulation effectively eliminated any choice for the Catalan rider other than pushing through the immense pain.
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