Maverick Viñales has called on KTM and Tech3 to offer greater support as he continues to battle the physical and mental challenges of returning from injury, following one of his toughest weekends of the 2026 MotoGP season at the German Grand Prix.
The Spaniard endured a miserable outing at the Sachsenring, qualifying 19th and more than a second off the pace. His struggles continued in the sprint race, where he finished last, more than eight seconds behind stand-in rider Cal Crutchlow. Sunday's race ended early when Viñales returned to the pits with four laps remaining, admitting he no longer had the physical condition to continue.
After the race, the former MotoGP race winner revealed that the lack of support from within the team has been as difficult as his performances on track.
"Right now, I need some support from the team, but all I get is criticism," Viñales said. "Sometimes they're happy to see me, but other times it's like I'm a stranger."
Viñales has been dealing with the long-term effects of the collarbone injury he suffered at the Sachsenring last year. Although he underwent surgery in April to remove a screw that was causing complications, he admits he is still far from fully recovered.
Source: Crash.net
"I don't have any strength on the bike. I couldn't help but slide out at every turn," he explained, describing how the lingering weakness has prevented him from riding at his usual level.
The ongoing recovery has also raised concerns about his future competitiveness, with Viñales acknowledging that the process has taken much longer than expected.
Determined to regain his form, the Spaniard is planning to spend the summer break training at the Red Bull Performance Centre in Austria in an effort to speed up his recovery. He also revealed he has considered seeking treatment from the medical team that helped Marc Márquez overcome his own career-threatening injuries.
According to Viñales, his doctor believes he may not be fully recovered until the Indonesian Grand Prix later this season, a timeline the rider admits is far from ideal.
Despite the disappointing results and difficult recovery, Viñales remains committed to returning to the front of the MotoGP field, hoping that improved physical condition and stronger backing from his team can help turn his season around.
