KTM's Pit Beirer explains why Pol Espargaro replacing Vinales doesn't suit team

Beirer's candour here is telling: KTM aren't simply grateful to have a warm body on the bike, they're managing a genuine development problem. Espargaro is on the RC16 when what KTM need is Vinales feeding back data specific to his riding style and setup direction. The 850 reference signals this is about more than race results — it's about the test and development loop that an absent rider breaks. When a manufacturer's technical boss says publicly that the arrangement doesn't suit them, it's a signal of how seriously they're taking Vinales' role in the programme, not just the seat.