Maverick Viñales has opted to withdraw from the Austin Grand Prix. The Spanish rider from the Tech3 team had explained in recent days that the condition of his left shoulder—which he fractured last year at the Sachsenring—was not ideal. He continues to feel pain, and this is exacerbated on a demanding circuit like COTA, which features predominantly left-hand turns.
Vinales wanted to put himself to the test in FP1, but realized it was no longer worth continuing to suffer without being able to achieve results. So, after finishing the first session in 13th place, nearly a second behind his teammate Acosta, he decided to call it quits.
One of the screws inserted into his shoulder during surgery is actually coming loose, and Maverick, as reported by AS, will undergo surgery next week to have it removed.