Vinales' Qatar GP shock: The penalty and the performance (ad-free video)
Added 2025-04-13 23:30:01 +0000 UTCMaverick Vinales and satellite KTM team Tech3 delivered the most surprising result of the 2025 MotoGP season so far in Qatar - only to have it taken away an hour after the finish.
Why does MotoGP still have the tyre pressure rule, and why did Vinales and Tech3 fall foul? And, forgetting the penalty, where did that performance even come from?
Comments
You guys summed up the tyre pressure debacle well. I get that it's a safety thing, but Dorna need to sort this. Subsidise some Monday testing while in Europe. Put on a weeks testing during the summer break and get that new tyre available for the 2nd half of the season. In the meantime, ask Michellin to supply minimum safe tyre pressures for each circuit and test the pressures before the start of the race . Maverick though, yes when his stars align he's a top three rider, but he can't be classed as world class only when he's feeling the right vibes. He's too inconsistent and too nesh. Zarco on the other hand, is putting his bike as high up as it can possibly be every week. Yes it maybe 14th one week or 4th the next, but when you look at his position and lap times, you know he's there because he got it there. Had Zarco had a Suzuki, Yamaha or Aprillia factory ride instead of Maverick, I reckon he'd have had at least 2 world championships. As it is, looks like Zarco won't get the same chances Maverick has been given. Not even at Honda as Toprack looks to be signing for Honda in WSBK next season with rights to test the Honda 850 GP bike in 2026. And Honda are buying out Acosta from KTM..???
Stuart Edwards
2025-04-14 11:03:05 +0000 UTCIs Vin the first to lead a race on 4 different manufacturer's bikes ??? The penalty is a shame but rules is rules they're there for a reason.
Evilchicken0
2025-04-14 09:00:47 +0000 UTCGreat race ruined by post race penalties, super annoying
Harry Hinchcliffe
2025-04-14 05:11:45 +0000 UTCWhile I think the penalties is harsh, it's hard to say he's completely robbed if he didn't even bother to look at the warnings.
Alex AG
2025-04-14 05:02:43 +0000 UTCDefinitely robbed, he deserves that second place,
URBAN MOTO-BIKE
2025-04-14 04:06:38 +0000 UTCAlso - the tyre pressure rule is one of the most frustrating and stupid rules in all of Motorsport!
Keir Thomas
2025-04-14 01:40:38 +0000 UTCI completely agree with Simon. Tire testing has to be mandated like they do in F1.
Xerxes Balsara
2025-04-14 01:39:55 +0000 UTCI know it's a news item and needs to be current, but I wish there was a way to turn spoilers off for 24hrs. I've had to disable all Patreon notifications to avoid them.
Keir Thomas
2025-04-14 01:39:45 +0000 UTC
