Maverick Vinales struggles in Thai GP as KTM performance falls short

Tech3 KTM rider Maverick Vinales admits his 16th-place finish reflects the bike’s current limitations.

Maverick Viñales of Spain and Red Bull KTM Tech3 rides during the qualifying session of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at the Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on March 1, 2025. Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Maverick Vinales endured a frustrating start to his MotoGP season, finishing 16th in the Thai Grand Prix and admitting that his performance on the KTM reflects “the level” of the bike at this stage. The Tech3 rider had shown promise during pre-season testing but struggled to convert that into a competitive result at the Chang International Circuit.

Starting from 18th on the grid, Vinales finished outside the points, crossing the line 28.7 seconds behind race winner Marc Marquez. Meanwhile, his teammate Enea Bastianini managed a ninth-place finish, using superior tire management to climb the order. KTM’s top performer of the race was Brad Binder, who secured eighth, but even he was nearly 20 seconds adrift of the leader at the checkered flag.

After the race, Vinales expressed disappointment with his performance but remained hopeful for future improvements.

Vinales acknowledges KTM’s struggles after Thai GP

Speaking to the media after the race, Vinales admitted that KTM has significant work to do to close the gap to the frontrunners.

“This is the starting point, so we know where we are and we need to improve. It’s obvious,” he said.

“Especially the feeling on Friday was quite nice, but I don’t know why when I wanted to push more, there was a limit. Obviously, there are still a lot of things to do and to work on.

“For the first race, we know this is the starting point, and we have to be patient and work for the coming races.”

Vinales identified front grip issues as a key weakness, particularly on corner entry. He noted that his teammate Bastianini had opted for a soft front tire and suggested that reviewing the differences in performance might help KTM find solutions.

“Front grip, on the edge. We need to check Enea, who chose the soft front, and see if there is any difference in terms of grip,” he added.

Front tire issues complicate Vinales’ race pace

One of the biggest challenges Vinales faced in Thailand was maintaining grip when riding in a pack. As tire temperatures increased, he found it difficult to control the bike, making overtaking and consistent lap times a struggle.

“I think I’m starting to understand the bike pretty well—it’s just that the level is this,” he said.

“We need to improve, especially because when you are alone, the front tire works a little bit better because it’s cooler. But as soon as you are with people, it gets hotter, loses grip, and makes everything a bit more complicated.

“So, there is a way to work, and we need to see with the guys what we can do.”

Vinales’ struggles highlight a broader issue for KTM, which remains behind Ducati, Honda, and Aprilia in overall race pace. While Binder and Bastianini managed to salvage respectable results, the lack of outright speed remains a concern for the Austrian manufacturer.

Looking ahead to Argentina

With the Argentina Grand Prix approaching, Vinales and his team will be working to address their weaknesses. The high-speed Termas de Río Hondo circuit presents different challenges from Buriram, and KTM will be hoping to improve its competitiveness in cooler conditions.

For Vinales, the priority remains extracting more confidence from the RC16 and understanding how to maximize grip in race conditions. While his 16th-place finish was a disappointing result, he remains focused on gradual progress throughout the season.

As KTM continues its development efforts, all eyes will be on whether Vinales can improve his results in the upcoming rounds and climb into the points battle.