The relationship between Aprilia and Maverick Viñales may have soured when Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola signed Jorge Martín without informing its current rider before. This breach of trust could be a pivotal factor in Viñales’ decision to join KTM Tech3 for the 2025 MotoGP season.
The unexpected hiring of Martín may have made Viñales feel sidelined, creating an environment where he felt he could no longer continue with Aprilia. This breakdown in communication and trust ultimately pushed the #12 to seek opportunities elsewhere, leading him to sign with KTM, where he hopes to find a new challenge and a different team dynamic.
KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer welcomed Viñales and Enea Bastianini with open arms, emphasizing the full factory support they will receive. ‘We’re very happy we could bring both Enea and Maverick into our MotoGP project and give them full factory backing and support to keep following their goals and to reach their maximum performance. It’s clear we are talking about two of the fastest riders in the world right now’.
This strategic move aims to bolster KTM’s competitive edge and demonstrates their commitment to nurturing top-tier talent. With Viñales and Bastianini on board, the manufacturer looks forward to an exciting and competitive future in MotoGP.