If we needed to describe Maverick Vinales’ MotoGP journey in a single phrase, “journeyman” is likely to be probably the most becoming.
Since making his premier class debut in 2015, Vinales has raced for Suzuki (2015–2016), Yamaha (2017–mid-2021), and Aprilia (mid-2021–2024). He gained races with all of them earlier than making a change to Tech3 KTM.
Virtually, Vinales has raced for each producer on the MotoGP grid since his debut – besides two: Honda and Ducati. However, as he not too long ago revealed, he almost joined the Borgo Panigale outfit in 2018.
On the time, Vinales was supplied a spot alongside Andrea Dovizioso for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, changing Jorge Lorenzo, who was shifting to Repsol Honda. Nonetheless, Vinales selected to stay loyal to Yamaha.
Seven years later, he admitted to some regrets.
“Sure, and that is what I actually remorse probably the most in my sports activities profession. In 2018 I had the supply to be within the official Ducati staff in 2019 and 2020, as a teammate of Dovizioso,” Vinales admitted throughout an interview with Spanish outlet AS.
“They satisfied me. I used to be very satisfied to go to Ducati, however the group I used to be working with satisfied me to remain at Yamaha and attempt to win there. In fact, complete error. Complete error.”
What might have been for Maverick Vinales?
Maverick Vinales
Whereas Ducati continued its upward trajectory to turn into the dominant pressure we all know at present, Maverick Vinales’ profession took a dramatic flip after that call in 2018.
His relationship with Yamaha soured in 2021, finally resulting in an early departure mid-season – costing him round €17 million from a freshly signed two-year contract.
Fortuitously, Aprilia was there to revive his profession. The Noale-based staff supplied him a lifeline for the ultimate six races of 2021. He then stayed on for 3 extra seasons, culminating in a victory at COTA in 2024 – making him the primary rider to win MotoGP races with three completely different producers.
Now, in 2025, he’s racing with Tech3 KTM and attending to grips with the RC16 as the subsequent MotoGP bike to tame. He even managed a podium end in Qatar, however a tire-pressure penalty dropped him to 14th place.
When requested what may need occurred had he joined Ducati, Vinales replied: “I don’t know. I don’t know.
“I feel that in life all issues that occur are for a purpose. Perhaps I will go to Ducati, get an onion, get injured and do not race anymore. We do not know.
“What is obvious is that destiny has taken me right here, to KTM, and I’ve made an evolution that I like.
“I really feel happy with myself and I really feel very proud to signify my household proper now, proper now. In the long run I at all times assume that you’re the seen face of your loved ones, of Raquel de Nina and Blanca. I would really like individuals to admire me and my household as effectively, as a result of it’s nonetheless the values we now have at house.
“What number of titles would it not have? Between the angle I’ve now and having connected a Ducati, at the very least three or 4. However what’s essential is how you are feeling and being pleased is essential. It is what everybody is aware of and I really feel at peace.
“Whenever you’re at peace, you are pleased and every thing goes effectively. When you find yourself in concord, calm and with out forcing. I inform myself to not pressure.
“The opposite day, at Mugello, I mentioned to myself: ‘If it would not play, now it would not play and look ahead to one thing higher to come back’. And now I actually wish to win.”
