Maverick Viñales rejected a seat at KTM's Tech3 team for the 2027 MotoGP season after the factory squad changed its plans and signed Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio instead, KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer has confirmed.
Beirer spoke publicly ahead of the German Grand Prix weekend, responding to Viñales' recent claims that KTM left him without a ride for next year. The Spaniard had said he signed a contract extension with KTM, only for the team to tell him it was no longer valid.
What did KTM offer Viñales?
Beirer said KTM still wanted Viñales in its MotoGP stable, but only at Tech3 — not the factory team. Viñales, who currently rides for Tech3, was unwilling to stay there into 2027.
"We started just a very normal contract conversation," Beirer told the official MotoGP feed. "We talked already about figures and stuff, how the future could look. But then at one stage things went just wrong when he found out it's not about the factory spot."
Beirer stressed that both KTM teams are now "four factory spots" and that Tech3 is not a B-level operation, especially with Guenther Steiner taking charge.
Why did KTM choose other riders?
KTM had the chance to sign Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio while they were still available. Beirer said Viñales was "nowhere near" showing his old form after a serious crash in the rain at the Red Bull Ring last year.
"Last summer, we were discussing this and opened this door," Beirer explained. "He told us 'don't worry for my health, I'm back by Spielberg.' That's where he made his first comeback last year. Since then, we have been waiting week by week to have him in full form."
Beirer added: "We wouldn't need a better rider than Maverick was exactly here a year ago when he had this stupid crash in the rain."
What happens next for Viñales?
Viñales now faces an uncertain future. He has openly blamed KTM for leaving him without a seat, but Beirer insists the door was never closed.
"I really feel sorry for the situation because we like Maverick so much, he's such a good boy," Beirer said. "I don't know why he says so clearly no to one thing and on the other side gives us such a hard stop."
Beirer claimed KTM delayed signing other riders specifically to give Viñales more time to recover and prove his fitness. But Viñales' refusal to accept a Tech3 spot ended those talks.
The rider market is now moving fast. With KTM's four factory-level seats filled, Viñales must look elsewhere if he wants to stay on the MotoGP grid in 2027.