Pol Espargaró replaced Maverick Viñales at the MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday, Red Bull KTM Tech3 officials confirmed. Viñales was withdrawn due to ongoing effects from a left-shoulder injury sustained in a crash at the Sachsenring in July 2025, the team said.
The substitution of Pol Espargaró for Maverick Viñales at the British Grand Prix is directly linked to Viñales’ ongoing recovery from a left-shoulder injury sustained in a crash at the Sachsenring in July 2025, Red Bull KTM Tech3 officials confirmed in a press release issued by KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH of Mattighofen, Austria. The team cited “ongoing effects” from the injury as the reason for Viñales’ withdrawal from the Silverstone event scheduled for Aug. 7–9, 2026. The official statement, distributed under the contact [email protected], did not specify any long-term changes to the rider lineup but identified Espargaró as the replacement for the British round.
Pol Espargaró, who serves as KTM’s test and reserve rider, was “called up” specifically for Silverstone.
Reports from specialist outlets including Crash.net and Motorsport.com corroborate the team’s announcement, noting that Espargaró, who serves as KTM’s test and reserve rider, was “called up” specifically for Silverstone. Espargaró’s role primarily involves development work on KTM’s 850cc MotoGP prototype, but he has previously deputised for Viñales during the 2025 season, notably at the Czech and Hungarian Grands Prix, finishing ninth in both the sprint and main races at the Czech round, according to official MotoGP records. His familiarity with the Tech3 team and KTM machinery was cited by the team as a key factor in his selection as the immediate replacement rider.
Viñales’ injury has plagued his 2026 campaign, with a recently diagnosed tear in the left shoulder prompting KTM to prioritize his medical recovery over competition, sources confirmed. The rider had already missed the Grand Prix of the Americas and the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez earlier in the season due to the same injury, with Tech3 officials stating at the time that Viñales was “not in condition to compete.” Italian and Spanish media reports indicated that new medical examinations were scheduled for early August 2026 to assess whether surgery would be necessary, a procedure that could effectively end Viñales’ season.
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone represents Espargaró’s first competitive outing of the 2026 season, as he had been limited to testing duties until now. He will race the KTM-powered Tech3 MotoGP bike alongside teammate Enea Bastianini, who continues in his regular seat. Media coverage from Sky Sport and others described the Silverstone race as a critical evaluation opportunity for Espargaró’s physical condition and KTM’s rider strategy moving forward.
Beyond the immediate substitution, several reports from Motorsport.com, Motorpasionmoto, and Motor16 suggest that KTM is considering extending Espargaró’s role beyond Silverstone for the remainder of the 2026 season. While the official KTM press release refrains from confirming any long-term decisions, Spanish and Italian outlets have cited internal discussions about removing Viñales from the Tech3 lineup “with immediate effect” due to a combination of medical and contractual factors. These sources also referenced weeks of tension between Viñales and Tech3’s new owner, Guenther Steiner, as contributing to the situation.
Espargaró’s MotoGP career includes full-time seasons with KTM and GasGas Tech3, with recent championship standings showing 23rd place with 15 points in 2023, 23rd with 12 points in 2024, and 22nd with 23 points in 2025. Despite being considered a placeholder rider for 2026, KTM values his experience and adaptability, particularly given his ongoing role in prototype development and his ability to step into race duties when needed.
Looking ahead, the continuation of Espargaró’s racing duties depends largely on Viñales’ recovery progress and the outcome of upcoming medical assessments. KTM has already signed riders Luca Marini and Senna Agius for the 2027 season, indicating that Espargaró’s tenure as a full-time rider with Tech3 is likely limited to the current year. The British Grand Prix will thus serve as a key moment for KTM to evaluate both Espargaró’s readiness and Viñales’ fitness for future competition.
