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Motorsport

Maverick Vinales loses Qatar GP podium after penalty

Maverick Vinales Qatar KTM MotoGP Pit Beirer

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

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Valentino Rossi, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Luca Marini, Honda HRC

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Johann Zarco, Team LCR

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Valentino Rossi, VR46 Racing Team, Francesca Sofia Novello

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Luca Marini, Honda HRC

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Somkiat Chantra, Team LCR Honda

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Joan Mir, Honda HRC

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Start action

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Race start

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Johann Zarco, Team LCR

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Jack Miller, Pramac Racing

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Ai Ogura, Trackhouse Racing

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Johann Zarco, Team LCR

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Johann Zarco, Team LCR

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team

2025 Qatar GP - Sunday

MotoGP

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In this article

Richard Asher

MotoGP

Maverick Viñales

Tech 3

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