Maverick Viñales has revealed that he turned down an offer to ride for Ducati in 2019 and 2020, a decision he deeply regretted.
Maverick Vinales has had a unique journey in MotoGP, riding for four different manufacturers: Suzuki in 2015 and 2016, Yamaha from 2017 to mid-2021, Aprilia from late 2021 to 2024, and then KTM since this year. He could also have had a different trajectory by joining Ducati in 2019. He would not have had to leave Yamaha mid-season, but would probably not have had the same success with Aprilia afterwards.
Although he is very happy at KTM and is becoming more and more efficient on the RC16, the Spaniard has made no secret of his regrets about his refusal to join the Reds, something that had gone relatively under the radar at the time.
“In 2018, I was offered the chance to join the official Ducati team in 2019 and 2020, as Dovizioso’s teammate. I was absolutely certain I would go to Ducati, but the group I was working with convinced me to stay at Yamaha and try to win. Of course, it was a total mistake. A total mistake. It’s the biggest regret of my career.”, he confided during a long interview with the Spanish site AS.
However, Casa Particular in Viñales was able to see beyond what he considered a mistake, telling himself that something better awaited him elsewhere. That elsewhere could be KTM, with whom he is getting closer and closer to victory.
"I think in life everything happens for a reason."he said. "Maybe I would have gone to Ducati, gotten injured, and not raced again. You never know. What's certain is that destiny brought me here, to KTM, and I like the evolution I've had. I'm proud of myself and very proud to represent my family at this moment."
“How many titles could I have had? Between my current state of mind and having a Ducati, at least three or four. But the important thing is how you feel, and happiness is very important. That's what everyone is looking for, and I feel at peace. When you're at peace, you're happy and everything is fine. When you're in harmony, you're calm and you don't force things. I tell myself not to force things. The other day at Mugello, I said to myself, 'If it's not now, it's not now, you have to wait, something better will come.' And now I really want to win.”
