Maverick Vinales was demoted to 14th at the Qatar Grand Prix after being handed a 16-second penalty.

Tech3 KTM team manager Nicolas Goyon has voiced his frustration after Maverick Vinales was stripped of a podium finish at the Qatar Grand Prix due to a tyre pressure penalty.

Vinales came from sixth on the grid to overtake Marc Marquez for the lead and cross the line in second place.

It appeared to be KTM’s first podium of the season and Vinales’ first top ten with the team. However, the FIM Stewards confirmed his front tyre pressure was below the legal minimum for more than 60% of the laps.

Vinales was handed the standard 16-second penalty, dropping him to 14th and promoting Franco Morbidelli to third behind Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.

“It is quite obvious that we are leaving Qatar with a huge bitter taste after we were handed a late penalty,” said Goyon. “Maverick Vinales had an unbelievable weekend, with his best qualifying of the season.

“Today, he showed an incredible level of performance, riding at a strong pace fighting with the top guys at the front. The bike was fast, and he clocked in the second fastest race lap, so everything was working well.”

“Unfortunately we took a penalty for low tyre pressure, a rule that can sometimes be unfair, but rules are rules and we have to accept them," Goyon said.

“It does not take away his performance which we will keep in our mind heading to the next round, so thank you Maverick for a strong weekend.”

Vinales, fresh from celebrating a podium finish with his fourth different brand of MotoGP bike, brushed off the penalty.

“The bike was amazing, everything clicked together… I can’t wait to be back on the bike already!”

Red Bull KTM Factory boss Aki Ajo said: “The podium potential by Maverick is important for the whole KTM famiy, we will now push even harder.”