Maverick Viñales will not race at the Austrian Grand Prix, with his shoulder recovery keeping him on the sidelines once again. Tech3 has confirmed Pol Espargaró as his replacement, making this the fourth consecutive round missed by the KTM rider.

Viñales has been absent since competition resumed after the summer break. He missed the events in the United States, Spain and France while undergoing shoulder surgery. Further checks over the summer found an undiagnosed tear in the shoulder he had injured in a crash in Germany the previous year.

Espargaró’s substitute run continues

KTM MotoGP test rider Espargaró has been on Tech3’s bike since the British Grand Prix. He has scored points in three of his last four races as a stand-in. Team boss Nicolas Goyon pointed to the Spaniard’s experience and professionalism, while describing his Misano appearance as another positive step.

Tech3 says it hopes Viñales can return for the Japanese Grand Prix during the first weekend of October. His continued absence also leaves attention on his position within KTM, but no change to his racing future has been confirmed.

Reports published during the summer break claimed that KTM was seeking an immediate end to its relationship with Viñales amid tensions between the two sides. Viñales has expressed anger over what he regards as unfair treatment concerning his future, and he has no ride for 2027. Both KTM and the rider have repeatedly denied those reports. For Austria, the confirmed developments are Viñales’ injury-related absence and Espargaró’s continued role as his substitute.