Maverick Vinales, rider of the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 team, continues to struggle with a complex injury to his left shoulder that he suffered in July 2025. This injury has forced him to miss several races last season and now he is preparing for an assessment of his physical condition on Friday in Austin.
The Spanish rider fell from his bike during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, suffering a fracture and ligament damage, as well as a pinching of the supraspinatus in the shoulder. After undergoing surgery in Italy, his second half of the 2025 season was very irregular, competing in only five of the last thirteen races.
Although he seemed to have recovered after an intense preseason program, the initial results of the season in Thailand were not as good as he expected, finishing in 16th position. Recently, in an interview, Vinales has acknowledged that he has not yet returned to his optimal form.
After the Brazilian Grand Prix, the rider felt considerable pain and is considering taking some time to recover before the next event in Spain on April 26. Thus, his initial intention is to compete in Austin and then visit doctors for a reevaluation.
However, competing could worsen his condition. Vinales is determined to make the best decision for his health and performance, considering that another break could allow for a more complete rehabilitation.
Currently, the rider avoids highlighting the seriousness of his injury, aware that it could affect his position in the team and his remuneration. Nevertheless, he has admitted that the pain could be affecting his performance on the bike, requiring a thorough review of his physical condition.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
