Maverick Vinales is contemplating stepping away from MotoGP races following the Indonesian Grand Prix to allow his shoulder injury more time to heal, and he may even miss the remainder of the season if needed. This decision comes as part of his efforts to manage the ongoing pain and limited strength caused by the injury he sustained earlier this year.
Injury History and Attempts to Return
Vinales suffered a serious shoulder injury during qualifying at the German Grand Prix in August, after a highside crash on a wet track caused him to break his shoulder. This was the first major injury of his MotoGP career. He missed that race along with the subsequent round in Czechia as he began his recovery.
After the summer break, Vinales attempted a comeback at the Austrian Grand Prix but quickly realized his shoulder had not healed enough for a full return. It was not until the Barcelona round that he returned to racing regularly, but he has struggled to find form since then. His best finish in the three races following his return was only 13th place.
Current Physical Condition and Impact on Performance
Following Friday’s practice session at Indonesia, where he finished 19th out of 20 riders, Vinales revealed how much the shoulder injury has affected his performance and overall physical condition. He said,
“It’s outrageous, I lose more than a second in sector two of the circuit, in four corners,”
highlighting the significant time gap caused by his physical limitations.
He described his situation as painful and lacking in strength, noting,
“I have no strength, I’m in a lot of pain and I have sudden pain. We thought it would improve on the bike, but we haven’t improved at all, just a little bit of mobility, but not strength.”
These issues have left him unable to handle circuits demanding high-speed changes in direction such as the upcoming Phillip Island race in Australia, stating,
“Imagine Phillips Island in two weeks, which is all high-speed direction changes, I wouldn’t be able to do a single lap.”
Plans to Pause Racing and Consult with Team
Acknowledging his current limitations, Vinales plans to discuss with his team, Tech3 and KTM, the possibility of halting his participation after the Indonesian Grand Prix to focus on recovery. He emphasized the need for a break, saying,
“The idea is to stop on Sunday but we’ll see because I have to talk to the team. I think the sensible thing to do now is to stop and wait until I’m well. I need to be 100%, even 80%, but right now I’m far from that. I thought I had more strength, but on this circuit I’m really feeling it.”
The 2025 MotoGP calendar has four remaining rounds after Indonesia, taking place in Australia, Malaysia, Portugal, and Spain. Vinales is open to withdrawing from these races and hopes to return at the post-season test in Valencia, which would be his last chance to ride the new KTM bike before the preseason testing begins in February 2026.
Recovery Timeline and Long-Term Outlook
Vinales explained the typical recovery stages for a shoulder injury like his. The first month requires immobilization with the arm in a sling; months two to four focus on regaining mobility, which he is currently in the middle of; and months four to six involve building strength. He noted,
“After six months, you can already use strength, but half a year puts me into the next season.”
Reflecting on his decision to try riding despite the pain, Vinales said,
“It was worth trying because I understand that I have to stop. If I hadn’t tried, the regret would have been enormous. Now I know I have to stop. I can’t recover between races; there’s no time to recover.”
He added,
“Now I’m [considering] stopping and recovering as much as the pain in my shoulder allows. But what we’re thinking is that the sooner I stop, the sooner I’ll recover. We’re talking about getting to Valencia for the post-season test.”
Future Implications for Vinales and the Tech3 KTM Team
The choice to potentially miss the rest of the 2025 season reflects the seriousness of Vinales’s injury and his priority to fully recuperate ahead of the next season. Without sufficient recovery, ongoing pain and lack of strength would hamper his ability to compete effectively. His return at the Valencia test could be critical for preparation on the 2026 KTM, influencing both his performance prospects and the team’s strategy going forward.
As Vinales navigates this challenging phase, his decision may impact Tech3 KTM’s results in the remaining races and their development plans for the upcoming season. With the Asia-Pacific and European rounds still ahead on the calendar, the team will need to adapt quickly should Vinales choose to sit out. His commitment to healing underscores the importance of balancing injury management with racing demands in MotoGP.
