Tech3 KTM racer Maverick Vinales has announced Jorge Lorenzo as a new coach for the 2026 MotoGP season.

Vinales and his new partner, five-time grand prix champion Lorenzo, have declared the rather lofty target of nothing less than a premier-class world title as the ambition for their work together.

Word of the partnership first emerged during this week’s post-season Valencia test before the full details were confirmed on Friday.

“Bringing Jorge into this journey,” Vinales said, “is a huge opportunity to learn and improve in every aspect. His experience and outside perspective will help us take confident steps forward. I’m starting this new stage with great motivation and excitement.”

Jorge Lorenzo MotoGP career stats

Championships: 3 (2010, 2012, 2015)
Wins: 47
Podiums: 114
Starts: 203

Maverick Vinales MotoGP career stats

Championships: 0
Wins: 10
Podiums: 35
Starts: 194

What exactly that will look like on a given race weekend remains to be seen, but in a press release issued by the pair they have identified three key areas in which they believe Lorenzo can help Vinales improve.

First of those is physical preparation, ‘with a strong focus on routines, training, and recovery tailored to the current demands of MotoGP’ - something that will be relevant over winter as Vinales continues to recover from the shoulder injury that hampered much of his 2025 season.

Second will be a strategic coaching role, ‘aimed at pressure and risk management, race consistency, and decision-making during critical moments,’ as well as ‘work focused on building strong analysis and planning for the race weekend’.

“Maverick has always had natural talent and great speed,” Lorenzo said. “My role is to accompany him, share my experience and knowledge, and help him reach his best version. I strongly believe that if we improve in each of the key areas, success will be inevitable.”

The Race says

On one hand, there’s definitely a role for Lorenzo within Vinales’ camp, given that, arguably Lorenzo’s biggest strengths en route to three MotoGP titles were the same as Vinales’ weaknesses: race starts, strong opening laps, and consistency across not just races but seasons.

Should he be able to bring at least some of his expertise to the Vinales camp on that front, then it can only be a good thing for a racer who has been long identified as very, very fast but perhaps the championship’s most inconsistent performer.

On the other hand, it’s maybe more questionable what sort of strategic input Lorenzo can bring given that both racers are somewhat known for both occasionally fiery temperaments and unorthodox ways of doing things both inside the box and outside.

If it works, then it should work well - but if it doesn’t, then there's a high likelihood of things turning very sour.

However, there’s one party for whom the new deal is a win-win: new Tech3 bosses Guenther Steiner and Richard Coleman. Already looking to elevate the sport as part of Liberty Media’s plans to build it up, the addition of Lorenzo alongside F1 breakout star Steiner inside the Tech3 box should make for blockbuster viewing in 2026.