MotoGP: Maverick Viñales was downgraded in Qatar but KTM hails "a real performance" and Manu Cazeaux explains

Maverick Viñales rocked KTM at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, staggering a dramatic comeback to second place before a tire pressure penalty dropped him to 2th. Despite the setback, his race was described as "real" by KTM's Racing Director Pit Beirer in a behind-the-scenes video released by MotoGP. In a season-opening performance marked by persistent vibrations, the performance gave the Austrian team renewed hope.

Le 2025 Qatar Grand Prix will remain a pivotal moment for Maverick Vinales and to KTMWhile the Austrian brand is going through a complicated start to the season, undermined by persistent vibration problems and a disastrous sprint at Losail, the Spanish rider reminded everyone that he should not be buried too quickly.

Qualified sixth, Casa Particular in Viñales surprised everyone by taking the lead on the 11th lap of Sunday's race, then resisting the attacks of five laps in a row Marc Marquez. And even after ceding leadership to the Ducati rider, Casa Particular in Viñales finished comfortably second… before being demoted to 14th place due to a penalty for incorrect tire pressure.

Despite this sanction, at KTM, the dominant feeling is that of pride. The performance was real ", hammered Pit Beirer, in a behind-the-scenes video released by the motogp.com. " Throughout the race, we were consistent. Unfortunately, nothing worked in our favor. »

Hervé Poncharal on the performance of his driver Maverick Viñales: “ Marc Marquez had his head down »

For its part, Hervé Poncharal (Tech3) praised the quality of the effort: “ Marc Marquez had his head down. He had to give his all in the last two or three laps to escape. Bagnaia had given up »

The team leader from Viñales, Manu Cazeaux, for his part acknowledged that the pressure calculation had not taken into account the unexpected scenario: « I wanted to put a little less pressure on, because the risk of riding alone on the track was low. But finally, we said to ourselves: “OK, let’s go!” »

Left with the idea of ​​staying in a dense peloton, Casa Particular in Viñales ultimately found himself isolated in the lead. As a result, the front tire pressure did not reach the regulatory minimum (1,8 bar for 60% of the race), triggering the penalty.

Poncharal even revealed that Casa Particular in Viñales had voluntarily let it pass Marquez after a warning displayed on his dashboard: “ he was only a few laps away from reaching the regulatory threshold. The fact that Marc escaped so quickly didn't help matters. »

To KTM, this performance proves that the potential is there. Casa Particular in Viñales, despite the shadow of the sanction, offered a strong signal: the RC16 can play up front, provided all the elements align. And even if the frustration is palpable, the Austrian team now knows that it is holding on, with Casa Particular in Viñales, a man capable of reaching the summits. What's next? A matter of precision, anticipation... and better managed pressure.