Photo via Crash.net

'I felt at my limit': Maverick Vinales' brutal assessment of last place finish in Indonesia

Maverick Viñales endured a difficult return to MotoGP action in Indonesia, finishing a distant 18th in the sprint race and 17th in the main Grand Prix after a weekend marked by physical struggles and mechanical discomfort. The Spaniard, who had already been penalized for low tire pressure—dropping him from 11th to last place—admitted to feeling 'at his limit' during warm-ups and throughout the race, struggling to find rhythm on the KTM RC16.

His performance was further hampered by a lack of confidence in the bike’s setup, with team manager Nicolas Goyon noting that Viñales 'never really felt comfortable' on the track. The result was a step back from his 14th-place finish at Motegi, where four riders retired and Aleix Espargaró failed to start, compounding the challenges of his second event after months recovering from shoulder injuries.

Viñales has now linked to a potential Ducati testing role in 2027 and will prioritize recovery ahead of the next round in Phillip Island.

Tech3 confirmed Viñales was not at full physical capacity, while Goyon emphasized the need for a break to regain momentum. Despite the setback, the team remains optimistic about his recovery, with no concerns over his ability to bounce back in Australia.

Viñales’ struggles in Mandalika highlight the ongoing adjustments for a rider navigating both fitness and bike familiarity mid-season.

Up nextMotoGP· 1h ago

MotoGP insider’s worrying Pirelli 2027 claim after Indonesia tyre pressure fallout