If we needed to describe Maverick Vinales’ MotoGP journey in a single phrase, “journeyman” could be essentially 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 received 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 just lately 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 essentially the most in my sports activities profession. In 2018 I had the provide to be within the official Ducati group 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. After all, complete error. Complete error.”
What might have been for Maverick Vinales?
Maverick Vinales
Whereas Ducati continued its upward trajectory to turn into the dominant drive we all know at this time, Maverick Vinales’ profession took a dramatic flip after that call in 2018.
His relationship with Yamaha soured in 2021, in the end resulting in an early departure mid-season – costing him round €17 million from a freshly signed two-year contract.
Luckily, Aprilia was there to revive his profession. The Noale-based group 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 following 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 do not know. I do not know.
“I believe that in life all issues that occur are for a purpose. Perhaps I am going to 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 pleased with myself and I really feel very proud to symbolize 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 folks to admire me and my household as nicely, as a result of it’s nonetheless the values we’ve got at residence.
“What number of titles would it not have? Between the angle I’ve now and having attached a Ducati, not less than three or 4. However what’s vital is how you’re feeling and being pleased is essential. It is what everybody is aware of and I really feel at peace.
“If you’re at peace, you are pleased and every little thing goes nicely. When you’re in concord, calm and with out forcing. I inform myself to not drive.
“The opposite day, at Mugello, I mentioned to myself: ‘If it would not play, now it would not play and anticipate one thing higher to come back’. And now I actually need to win.”
