The impact of Maverick Vinales' injury on KTM's MotoGP journey is a fascinating tale of what could have been. Former team owner Herve Poncharal believes that Vinales' absence due to injury significantly hindered KTM's progress and results.
Let's rewind to the start of the 2025 season. KTM, facing a financial crisis, had struggled to make significant advancements with their RC16 bike during the winter. However, Maverick Vinales emerged as a beacon of hope, securing a podium finish in Qatar, only to be robbed of the glory by a post-race penalty related to tyre pressure.
Vinales' setup on the KTM served as a blueprint for his teammates, particularly Pedro Acosta, to improve their performance. But tragedy struck at the German Grand Prix, where Vinales suffered a complicated shoulder injury, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Despite Acosta's consistent podium finishes in the second half, Poncharal believes Vinales' presence could have elevated their results even further.
"I don't want to speculate too much, but Vinales' confidence and comfort on the bike were evident. He believed he could win races, especially after his strong showing in the USA. Unfortunately, his injury, initially thought to be minor, kept him out for an extended period. It's a huge disappointment, as he was our top KTM rider earlier in the season."
KTM's campaign ended without a race win, extending their drought to three seasons. Poncharal, who has since sold his team to a consortium led by ex-Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner, will now take on a consultancy role with Tech3 in 2026.
The question remains: Could Vinales' presence have changed KTM's fate? What do you think? Join the discussion in the comments and share your thoughts on this intriguing MotoGP story!
