Maverick Viñales will be replaced by Pol Espargaro in Red Bull KTM Tech3 colors for the forthcoming nineteenth and twentieth rounds of 2025 MotoGP. Maverick, together with his team, has elected for more recovery and rehab work away from the saddle of the KTM RC16 to build up strength in his left shoulder.
Espargaro steps into the breach for the third time this season. He replaced Viñales in Czechia and Hungary and scored 10th and 8th positions respectively in the GP races. Pol, who has also been busy with Red Bull KTM testing duties in 2025, will slip into the Red Bull KTM Tech3 pitbox to tackle the fast curves of Phillip Island and the Sepang International Circuit for the latest back-to-back swing of fixtures.
Pol Espargaro: “As I said in my previous Grand Prix appearances, having to do it because a teammate is injured is not something I particularly like. I know that Maverick has made a huge effort to keep racing, so the first thing I want to say is that I hope this absence helps him to speed up his recovery and that he can come back as soon as possible, because we need him at KTM. I’m returning to my Tech3 family and, as in Brno and Balaton Park, with the goal of helping the project as much as I can and making the most of these weekends to make progress with our bike and support the other riders. Phillip Island is a circuit I really like, although it’s been a while since I last rode there. As always, I’ll try to give my best to build a productive weekend for everybody.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Thanks to Pol again for standing in for Maverick, especially for two overseas races. Maverick’s recovery was progressing well but the fact that we’ve had a few GPs in such a tight period means he reached a limit. It’s quite normal that he needs more recovery time away from the bike after a big effort to take part in recent events. We hope he can return again as soon as he can and when he feels he can compete more like the Maverick we saw in the first half of the season. In the meantime, we could not wish for a better rider or character than Pol to be a replacement for Maverick and join us all on the grid.”