Viñales misses Austria too as Espargaró starts a fourth straight GP

Maverick Viñales will still not return this weekend at the Red Bull Ring. Tech3 has confirmed that Pol Espargaró will replace him for a fourth consecutive round, after Silverstone, Aragón and Misano. Viñales has not started a Grand Prix since Germany in July.

The timing is significant for KTM because Austria is its home race. Espargaró at least arrives with three recent race weekends behind him and qualified 12th at Misano. Tech3 is now targeting Viñales' return when the championship heads to Japan in early October. His recovery is therefore lasting much longer than hoped only a few weeks ago.