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- Vi\u00f1ales says he still has objectives to achieve in MotoGP despite losing his place for 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A test or reserve role could offer a route back, although he has announced no agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- His immediate priority is completing the Japanese GP weekend and assessing his recovering shoulder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Maverick Vi\u00f1ales insists his MotoGP<\/a> career is not over<\/strong>, despite returning to competition at Motegi without a race seat for 2027. The Spaniard remains determined to find another opportunity after losing his place at Tech3, with his immediate attention on recovering the fitness needed to compete at his best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His return to Japan follows a prolonged absence caused by shoulder problems. It also comes amid uncertainty over his relationship with KTM and what role, if any, he could occupy beyond the current season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think my MotoGP story is over,\u201d Vi\u00f1ales told. \u201cI\u2019m not ready to give up. I have to find a way back,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A testing or reserve position could provide a route back to racing<\/strong>, but Vi\u00f1ales has not announced an agreement. He also told the publication that he would prefer to wait for another MotoGP opportunity rather than move to World Superbike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SI202602260039-1200x800.jpg\")
Maverick Vi\u00f1ales (Photo: Gold & Goose\/ Red Bull Content Pool)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Vi\u00f1ales wants another opportunity after Tech3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tech3\u2019s 2027 seats will go to Luca Marini and Senna Agius, leaving Vi\u00f1ales looking beyond his current team. Speaking ahead of the Japanese GP, he said the timing of KTM\u2019s decision had limited his opportunities elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, his priorities are physical recovery and proving what he can still deliver. A future opening would require him to be ready to take it, rather than simply waiting for the rider market to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy first objective is to recover, to be fully in shape that I can push at the maximum, and then we\u2019ll see,\u201d Vi\u00f1ales said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Motegi therefore represents more than a return to competition.<\/strong> It gives Vi\u00f1ales an opportunity to assess his condition through a complete race weekend after the recent Red Bull Ring test helped establish that he could return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The KTM test changed his expectations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Vi\u00f1ales admitted that he had doubted whether he would race again this season. The invitation to test in Austria surprised him, particularly because KTM also allowed him to ride its prototype for the new 850cc regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The positive outcome helped clear the way for his Japanese GP appearance. Nevertheless, the test did not resolve his uncertainty about KTM\u2019s intentions or his prospects beyond 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vi\u00f1ales also found the future machine easier to ride than the current 1000cc bike.<\/strong> He cautioned, however, that the test involved different tyres and configuration, making it an incomplete measure of how his shoulder would cope with the demands of a grand prix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those distinctions matter at Motegi. Being able to complete test running does not automatically establish that he can sustain his best performance across practice, qualifying, the Sprint and Sunday\u2019s race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Motegi provides the next test of his recovery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Vi\u00f1ales\u2019 shoulder remains a concern, with improvement coming gradually rather than through a complete recovery. His target in Japan is to progress through the weekend and finish the main race, building towards stronger results over the remaining rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n