Maverick Viñales showcased KTM’s emerging strength during the race at Mugello by engaging in a fierce battle with Ducati’s home riders. Although his race ended early, Viñales emphasized the significant progress KTM made by matching the pace of the front runners throughout much of the event, highlighting the importance of this performance for the team’s future.
Viñales Reflects on the Race and Performance Insights
Despite the early retirement, Viñales maintained a positive outlook. He stated,
“For me, I have a good feeling. Because it was the first time we were at the level for the entire race. We were fighting the Ducatis in their home. That’s very important. We were on the pace and that’s the way forward.”
This underlines his belief in KTM’s progress and the potential to challenge the dominant brands consistently.
When addressing the bike’s characteristics, Viñales noted specific areas of strength and weakness compared to Ducati. He explained,
“I think in the sections where you just have to carry speed, like Arrabiata 1 and 2, turn 7 or 5, our bike is very strong. At least on my side, I feel very comfortable there. On the other hand, where you have to keep the tyres longer, like turn 12 or the last corner, the Ducatis seem to handle it better. They have a lot of corner speed and we see that in the data.”
This detailed analysis points to targeted areas KTM can improve to close the gap further.
Aerodynamic Gains and the Road Ahead for KTM
Viñales expressed satisfaction with the recent aerodynamic upgrades but acknowledged there remains more work to be done:
“With the new aero we are a bit closer, but there’s still margin.”
His comments indicate ongoing development efforts that KTM is pursuing to enhance their competitiveness in future races.
Leaving Mugello, the Spaniard’s attitude is one of renewed determination. He clearly sees KTM’s trajectory as promising and aligned with the goal of becoming a consistent front-runner in MotoGP battles.
