Maverick Vinales loses Qatar GP podium after penalty

Tech3 KTM rider Maverick Vinales has been demoted from the shock second place he registered at the MotoGP Qatar GP on Sunday.

A 16-second penalty for illegal tyre pressures has dropped the Spaniard to 14th place in the revised results and promoted Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati) to a second grand prix podium in three races.

Following Vinales’s impressive run to second place, which was the first time he had finished a grand prix inside the top 10 in a difficult start to his first year with the Austrian manufacturer, it was announced that he was under investigation for a tyre pressure infraction.

The FIM stewards subsequently confirmed that Vinales was found to be running pressures below the official parameters.

Vinales does have the right to appeal but, when asked about his feelings on a possible penalty at the post-race press conference, he said sanctions would not spoil his joy.

“I don’t care what will happen afterwards,” he declared. “I’m happy with the result. I’m happy with the performance. We are very pleased.

“This is something we [KTM] needed. And this is achieved… for the project. So, I’m really happy.”

Despite the manufacturer’s difficult start to the 2025 season, KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer hit out at its critics on Saturday in Qatar. Beirer also suggested the bikes were capable of race wins this season – a prospect that looks far more realistic following Vinales’s showing on Sunday.

Photos from Qatar GP – Race