Maverick
Viñales
Spain
·
MotoGP
Date of birth | 12 January 1995 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Figueras |
Age | 31 |
Nationality | Spain |
Career start | 2011 |
Discipline | MotoGP |
It all began at just three years old for Maverick Viñales, when he took to two wheels. Minimotos and motocross: everything was game for a young Maverick, but he finally settled on road racing. His natural ability was evident right from the start and in 2007, at the age of 12, the native of Figueras became Catalan champion – a feat he repeated in the hotbed of talent in 2008. In 2009 he finished second overall in the Spanish 125cc series and won it the next year.
Rookie of the Year
2011 was a huge year for young Maverick. He debuted in the old 125cc World Championship, and in only his fourth race in the elite ranks won his first Grand Prix at the famed Le Mans circuit in France. Victory, at the age of 16 years and 123 days made him the third-youngest rider to win a Grand Prix race at the time. Three more wins during the season saw Maverick finish a brilliant third the overall standings and bag the Rookie of the Year award, not to mention status as one of the favourites for the new four-stroke powered Moto3™ category in 2012.
The inaugural Moto3™ didn't deliver the title, despite Maverick winning five races in total – he finished third overall again, but in 2013 a battle royale ensued for the crown between Maverick, Luis Salom and Álex Rins, with the fight for the title going right down to the last race of the season at Valencia. There, a brilliant win sealed him his first world title a childhood dream accomplished.
Earning a call-up to MotoGP™
In 2014, Maverick moved up the ladder to Moto2™, earning three victories and another Rookie of the Year award, but the premier class was already calling and it proved to be a one-season stop after his phenomenal talent was recognised by Suzuki, who snapped him up for their return to MotoGP™ in 2015.
Displaying his now well-established ability to move up through the ranks seamlessly, Maverick showed speed and maturity beyond his years to finish the season in 12th place overall aboard the unproven Suzuki, enjoying two season-best results of sixth place at his home Catalunya GP – where he also qualified on the front row of the grid – and in Australia.
Suzuki made big improvements to their bike for the 2016 season and Maverick was right there to take advantage, scoring his first MotoGP™ podium with third in France and then a debut victory at the British Grand Prix later in the summer. Two more podiums at the end of the season in Japan and Australia helped him to an impressive fourth in the World Championship standings.
That prompted Yamaha to swoop in for Maverick in and he rode for the powerhouse team for five seasons between 2017 and 2021, winning numerous Grands Prix and finishing third in the overall championship standings in both 2017 and 2019. The relationship soured between rider and team, however, and Maverick parted ways with the team mid-way through the 2021 season to join the fast-rising Aprilia factory team.
A MotoGP™ first
Riding for his third manufacturer in MotoGP™, Maverick again adapted quickly to a completely new motorcycle and scored three podium finishes during both 2022 and 2023 seasons, but a win eluded him until the 2024 Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas, where somewhat against the run of form he dominated from pole position to become the first rider ever to win on three different manufacturers in the MotoGP™ era.
Returning from injury to focus on 2026
In 2025, Maverick signed to pilot a full factory bike for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 and, after briefly leading the Qatar Grand Prix, he became the first rider ever to lead a race with four different manufacturers. Injury at the German Grand Prix, however, forced the Spaniard to miss three rounds of the championship, and he ultimately finished in 18th place overall. He'll be back on the same bike again in 2026, with the aim of making more history.