Maverick Vinales Blasts MotoGP Contracts: If I Stay at Home, I Don’t Get Paid

Maverick Vinales has heavily criticized the contractual structures governing MotoGP riders, revealing that he is forced to race through severe injury in Australia because KTM will not pay his agreed salary if he stays home. Vinales has been battling a lingering left shoulder injury for more than a year following a crash during qualifying at the Sachsenring in 2025, which resulted in a dislocated shoulder, a fracture of the greater tuberosity, and damage to the supraspinatus ligament. The injury necessitated two surgeries: the first to insert a plate, and a second operation nearly a year later to remove it after it caused further complications. Vinales previously stepped away during the United States Grand Prix—the second round of the season—to return to Europe for the plate removal. Seven months later, he remains far from fully recovered, sitting as the lowest-placed full-time rider with just six points after missing seven rounds. That performance has also cost him his grid spot for next year. Competing at Phillip Island, his historically favorite circuit with one win and three podiums in MotoGP, Vinales struggled heavily on Friday and Saturday due to pain and restricted movement in his upper left torso. He ultimately retired on lap seven of the sprint race due to pain, swelling, and an unnatural riding position. Explaining his presence on the grid, Vinales told Motorsport.com that his contract with KTM stipulates riders can miss only three grands prix before salary deductions begin, regardless of the fact that his injury occurred while riding for KTM. Vinales noted that such restrictive clauses are standard across most teams in the paddock and believes changing them should be a priority for the newly forming MotoGP riders’ association, pointing out that injuries are an inherent risk in a dangerous sport and citing Toprak Razgatlioglu missing six races after a crash.