Pol Espargaro believes the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi would be the “perfect” place for Maverick Vinales to make his MotoGP return after a lengthy recovery from a shoulder injury.
Espargaro, KTM’s test rider, has filled in for Vinales at Tech3 KTM for the past four rounds while the former Suzuki, Yamaha, and Aprilia winner underwent further treatment. Vinales recently returned to action at the Red Bull Ring Pirelli test, reportedly posting competitive lap times, though his participation at Motegi has yet to be officially confirmed.
“I don’t think I’m going to do the overseas races,” Espargaro said after finishing 16th in Austria. “But in Japan, we feel that Maverick is getting closer… And if he’s not here, it’s because this GP is very important for the factory, and they really want someone on the bike ready to race. Maverick, maybe he will need some time to go back to his normal speed. So Japan would be perfect for him. Overseas, and it’s going to be a good track to come back.”
Espargaro will now shift focus to developing KTM’s new 850cc MotoGP machine, with crucial tests planned during the overseas leg of the championship. “Now it’s starting the most important moment of the year for the 2027 development… If I need to go to Japan and then miss a test, it would be super painful for the project,” he explained.
Vinales, who last raced at July’s German GP, was reportedly the fastest rider on adapted 1000cc machinery during the recent Pirelli test, pointing to solid progress in his recovery.
