Tech3 rider Maverick Viñales has confirmed that he will work with former MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo during the 2026 season, bringing him into the team as a performance coach. The news followed hints made during the post-season Valencia test, where Viñales suggested that a partnership with Lorenzo might be possible. Now the agreement is official and the pair have explained that their goal is to build a stronger, more confident Viñales who can fight for the MotoGP World Championship.

Lorenzo, now 38, earned his reputation racing against some of the sport’s greatest names, including Valentino Rossi, Marc Márquez and Dani Pedrosa. He will now use his experience to guide Viñales through the demands of modern MotoGP. His role will focus on three main areas: physical training and recovery, race strategy and decision-making, and technical analysis across race weekends. He will also coordinate a small team that will support Viñales throughout the season, aiming to help him make steady long-term progress.

The agreement comes after a mixed first year for Viñales with KTM’s satellite team. He began the season strongly and adapted to the RC16 quicker than expected. However, his momentum was disrupted by the first major injury of his MotoGP career, a fractured shoulder he suffered at the German Grand Prix in July. Although he returned to ride in the final race of the year in Valencia, he was still not fully recovered. Even so, he expects to be back in full fitness by the start of pre-season testing at Sepang in February.

Speaking about the new partnership, Viñales said that working with Lorenzo is a huge opportunity and that he is starting this next stage of his career with strong motivation. He believes Lorenzo’s experience and outside viewpoint will help him grow as an athlete and improve in areas that have sometimes held him back. Lorenzo, meanwhile, said he has always seen natural talent and speed in Viñales, and his aim is to help him reach the best version of himself. He added that if they can keep improving step by step in the key areas they have identified, success will eventually follow.

Since retiring from MotoGP in 2019, Lorenzo has remained active in the paddock through his work with Spanish broadcaster DAZN, appearing regularly as a presenter and analyst. His new role with Viñales will bring him closer to the action once again, this time as a mentor guiding another rider towards the championship fight.