Maverick Vinales, the Tech3 MotoGP rider, has acknowledged that his perception of his racing ability has been reshaped through his collaboration with three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo. This realization comes as Vinales prepares for his 12th season in 2026, underlining a renewed focus on improvement and discipline.
How Jorge Lorenzo’s Coaching Has Influenced Vinales
Late last year, Vinales announced he had appointed Jorge Lorenzo as his rider coach ahead of the 2026 season. Since then, Lorenzo has been intensively involved in Vinales’ off-season training, pushing him to refine all aspects of his preparation. Their work together has opened Vinales’ eyes to a higher standard of performance than he previously believed possible.
In a recent YouTube feature on Lorenzo’s channel, Vinales shared his evolving mindset:
“I thought I already had a pretty high level, but I’m realising that’s not the case yet,”
Vinales said, emphasizing the challenge ahead.
He went on to highlight Lorenzo’s rigorous approach:
“In this case, Jorge is at a much higher level. I was very surprised by both his obsession and his discipline in achieving a goal.”
Vinales explained that this dedication has changed his own approach to training and competition:
“If you really want your goal, you have to fight for it. That’s what I’m doing now: there’s no other way than to go all-in, give 100%, and work on every single detail.”
Lorenzo’s Perspective on Vinales’ Talent and Work Ethic
Jorge Lorenzo has previously sparked discussion by suggesting that some riders with less innate talent than Vinales have managed to win titles, adding to the pressure on Vinales to maximize his potential. Despite this, Lorenzo holds Vinales’ abilities in high regard.
In the same YouTube video, Lorenzo praised Vinales’ quick adaptability and understanding, saying:
“He’s a person with a natural talent for adapting quickly to situations and understanding every bike very quickly,”
he noted,
and added,
“He immediately grasps the concepts you explain to him; there’s no need to repeat them twice.”
On their working relationship, Lorenzo emphasized the importance of purposeful training:
“What I try to convey is that everything we do, every minute of work during the day, whether seven, eight, nine hours, must have a reason, a purpose, and an objective.”
He continued,
“Everything we do, in the gym and outside, like on the track, must be done for a reason.”
Lorenzo stressed attention to detail during this process:
“Everything that can be measured, improved, or done better must be taken care of down to the smallest detail.”
Context of Vinales’ Recent Performance and Upcoming Season
Vinales was the most prominent KTM rider during the first half of last season, a performance that contributed to Pedro Acosta’s promotion for the latter part of the year, highlighting the brand’s confidence in him. As KTM prepares to unveil its 2026 race bike designs online on January 27, Vinales is entering the new season with a fresh perspective and strengthened resolve, motivated by his collaboration with Lorenzo.
This partnership is likely to shape Vinales’ approach and results in the coming months, with his recognition of the importance of discipline and detail marking a potentially significant shift in his career trajectory.
