Maverick Vinales from Tech3 MotoGP Rider considers KTM’s 2027 bike “good” and is looking at the year as a “opportunity” and trying to secure a new contract with the brand.
KTM has faced an uncertain future since the company fell into a major financial crisis late last year.
On Thursday, KTM announced it had secured the necessary funds to meet its debt service allocation and ensure survival.
While there are doubts about the long-term future of KTM’s MotoGP project, motorsport boss Pit Baylor said it plans to regulate 2027 850cc in January.
In an exclusive interview with Crash.NET on Thursday at the British Grand Prix, Maverick Vinales further suggests that KTM projects will continue into a new rules cycle beyond next year.
He asked if he thought the current RC16 was the best bike he’d ridden.
“Next year, even if you really like the engine, it’s going to be difficult to change it because you can’t replace the engine. You can’t replace the engine.
“We can change the little things, but everything is frozen. It’s going to be hard to take a big step next year. But for me, I think 27 will be a big step.”
KTM has yet to sign up for a new rule cycle for the championship, but Vinales has not signed a contract since next season.
However, he says KTM has never expressed doubt about the MotoGP project and is aiming to solidify a new deal with the brand in 2027.
“I know, but the team decided to compete at the maximum level,” he added when KTM’s economic uncertainty was mentioned.
“So I was always talking to them, so I didn’t worry about the future.
“We need to build something amazing for the future, they never said anything different.
“They were always accepting that they had to work pretty strong in these kinds of situations.
“But obviously I don’t even have a ’27 contract, but that’s what my heart and I want.
“I want to do a great bike. We have the potential. We have the Dani (Pedrosa), the Pol (Espargaro), the great technicians. So we have to do that. This is a chance.”