MAVERICK VIÑALES

EARLY BIRD

Born in Figueras on January 12th 1995, close to the city of Girona in Catalunya, Spain, Maverick Viñales knew very soon that motorbikes were his thing as the young boy began competitive racing at the age of three in minimotos, before moving onto motocross, and eventually circuit racing in 2002 as he competed in the Catalan 50cc Championship. At 12 years old, he became champion of the Catalan 125cc championship, title retained the following year in 2008, in addition to winning the Mediterranean Trophy. The young talent started to make a name of himself, competing in different competitions. He moved up to the CEV Buckler 125GP series in 2009, with the Blusens-BQR team, partnering Miguel Oliveira in the team, and Viñales finished the season as Rookie of the Year and runner-up in the championship standings, by just four points. The following season in 2010, Maverick clinched the title by two points after battling it in a great battle for the championship against ex-teammate Miguel Oliveira, a result that earned him a ride in the World Championship in 2011.

2011-2013: YOUNG TALENT IN THE COOKING

Vinales moved to the 125cc World Championship in 2011 with Blusens-BQR, without going unnoticed though. Rookie of the year, the Spaniard finished third of the championship with four impressive wins and another four podiums were added to his spectacular debuts in the category. The following year, the 125cc World Championship became the Moto3™ World Championship as Vinales headed to his second season as a title contender following an impressive rookie season. Racing for Blusens Avintia, the Spaniard added another five wins to his records, but his lack of consistency ‘only’ saw him finish, again, third in the championship. After a move to Team Calvo, 2013 was the year of blooming for the young talent who clinched his first title in Moto3™ with no less than 15 podiums (out of 17 rounds). Consistency was no more a problem for Vinales, who got himself a ride in the intermediate category for 2014.

2014: ONE YEAR IN MOTO2™ AND OFF WE GO!

Maverick Vinales originally signed for two seasons with Pons Racing in Moto2™, but his talent quickly caught the eyes of the MotoGP™ teams. It only took two rounds for Vinales to take his maiden win in the intermediate class at the Americas Grand Prix. The Catalan added another three wins and another five podiums that season to clinch one again the Rookie of the Year Title and finish in third of the championship. Maverick became the first rider in history to only spend a year in the intermediate class, with MotoGP™ newcomer team Suzuki Ecstar having recruited the young talent for the 2015 season.

2015-2016: THE BIG JUMP AND TEAM SUZUKI

Officially a MotoGP™ rider at just 20 years old alongside Aleix Espargaro, Maverick’s debuts in the premier class were solid, considering he was learning the category while developing a new machinery in the premier class. Vinales finished Rookie of the Year with 97 points, a year highlighted by a best result of P6 reached in both Catalunya and Australia, to which another 6 top 10 results were added. With an improved package from team Suzuki in 2016, everything clicked for Maverick Vinales who clinched his first win in MotoGP™ in Silverstone, a season completed in 4th in the championship, allowing team Suzuki to take 4th in the teams’ championship in what was only their second season from returning to the main class.

2017-2021: YAMAHA, LOVE ME, HATE ME!

In 2017, Maverick Vinales signed with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team for two seasons, replacing the legendary Jorge Lorenzo off to Ducati. Vinales became the teammate of no one else but another legend himself, Valentino Rossi, a 7-time World Champion. His debuts with Yamaha felt like a dream, winning the two first rounds in Qatar and Argentina, followed shortly by a third trophy in Le Mans powering him to a provisional championship lead. The second half of the season was not as shiny as it could have been, but Vinales still closed the championship in 3rd. Early into 2018, Vinales had already announced a new deal with the Japanese manufacturer for another two years until 2020. 2018 was not an easy season for Yamaha, but Vinales put some light in the darkness with a win in Phillip Island, the sole win of the team in 2018, season finished in 4th for Vinales. The struggles will continue in 2019, although the Spaniard saw some improvements, especially after the summer break. Often at the front, he won two times that year to finish third in the general standing. Covid-19 hit the 2020 season and slowed down his progress, although we saw him win in Misano, he dropped to 6th in the championship, struggling for consistency. 2021 started in the best way possible for the Spaniard who took the win of the opening round in Qatar, but things only got worse in the following months for Vinales, frustrated by the lack of feeling and consistency of his package, and an impressive new teammate Fabio Quartararo quickly becoming a title favorite. Vinales and Yamaha parted ways in August 2021 as they announced an early termination to their contract with immediate effect, meant to last until the end of 2022.

2021-2024: A NEW BREATH WITH APRILIA

Following his breaking up with Yamaha, Maverick Vinales was instantly recruited by Aprilia in 2021 in Aragon as a test rider, and he replaced an injured Lorenzo Savadori. The Spaniard confirmed his willingness to remain at the top level with three podiums in 2022, which got him a two year-contract extension with Aprilia for 2023 and 2024 alongside his old teammate and good friend, Aleix Espargaro. The ‘Top Gun’ did not want to stop there though, as he continued his progression with the Italian manufacturer, kicking off 2023 with a podium in Portimao. He reached the podium two other times that season and ended the campaign in Valencia with his first pole position with Aprilia, finishing the season in 7th. Heading to 2024 still hungry for that first win with Aprilia, the dream was unlocked in Austin when Maverick Vinales made history at the Americas Grand Prix by becoming the first rider in Grand Prix history to win a MotoGP™ race with three different manufacturers, after already winning with Suzuki and Yamaha. The Catalan closed the season 7th in the championship, before heading to a whole new adventure in 2025.

2025: NEW CHALLENGES WITH KTM

For his 30th birthday in 2025, Maverick Vinales got himself a new challenge, as the Spaniard decided to join the ranks for the Austrian manufacturer, KTM, teased by the performances of rookie Pedro Acosta on the RC16 in 2024. Vinales signed a factory contract with the rebranded Red Bull KTM Tech3 crew, alongside Enea Bastianini, as he looks to continue making history, and win a MotoGP™ race with a fourth manufacturer.