The VR46 Ducati MotoGP challenges have intensified as the team confronts mounting pressure to improve after a disappointing 2025 season. At their launch event in Rome, VR46 unveiled new team colors while acknowledging the urgency to rebound from a year that failed to meet expectations. Since entering MotoGP in 2022 under the leadership of Valentino Rossi, the team has experienced highs and lows but now faces a critical moment ahead of the 2026 season as it seeks to reclaim competitiveness.
The project began amidst uncertainty, with early sponsorship claims from Aramco proving false despite Rossi’s confidence. Eventually, VR46 secured title sponsorship from Mooney for its initial seasons. Operating through academy talents like Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi and powered by Ducati machinery, the team showed promise with podium finishes since its debut. However, mismatches between rider styles and equipment, coupled with personnel changes, disrupted the team’s upward trajectory in recent years.
How VR46’s Performance Fell Short of Expectations Compared to Rival Teams
During 2025, VR46 struggled to match the standards set by other Ducati satellite outfits, particularly Gresini Racing, which outperformed VR46 despite operating with a rookie rider and less factory backing. Fabio Di Giannantonio, provided with factory support, secured three podium finishes and accumulated 262 points, a respectable tally but not a reflection of dominance. His teammate Franco Morbidelli showed early potential with podiums but faced setbacks due to multiple on-track incidents resulting in stern penalties by FIM stewards.
The stewards issued Morbidelli an ultimatum after repeated infractions, warning of pitlane starts and race bans if further breaches occurred. This disciplinary approach is typically reserved for less experienced riders in lower classes, highlighting the unusual nature of such scrutiny on a premier-class competitor. Despite the challenges, Morbidelli finished just 31 points behind Di Giannantonio in the standings, but neither rider managed a race victory in 2025, leaving VR46 empty-handed on the top step and trailing 188 points behind Gresini in the team rankings.
VR46 team principal Pablo Nieto emphasized the importance of their factory support from Ducati, stating,
“To be a factory-supported team from Ducati is very important. It’s going to be a lot of pressure, but if you don’t have pressure, it means you cannot make anything. So, it’s going to be an important year for us.”
This admission underscores the heavy expectations on the squad to elevate their results in the forthcoming season.
Valentino Rossi’s Perspective on VR46’s Current Standing and Future Ambitions
Valentino Rossi, the iconic figure backing VR46, acknowledged the team’s challenges while reaffirming confidence in Ducati machinery. He expressed,
“We are very lucky that all of our adventures in MotoGP, we always raced with Ducati. Ducati in the last years is the best bike on the grid. So, this gives us the chance to win, also in the past. Unfortuantely not last year, but to fight for the podium and arrive in the top three of the team ranking. But we need to improve, to raise our level, because last season there were a lot of ups and downs.”
Rossi’s comments hint at the growing pressure within the team to deliver consistent performances and suggest that his role as a mentor to the riders includes urging them to meet higher standards after fluctuating results over recent seasons. The sense of frustration is palpable, given that four years have passed since Rossi launched the squad, with success yet to fully materialize as anticipated.
Potential Shift in VR46’s Recruitment Strategy Amid Talent Shortages
The VR46 Academy has exhausted its pool of MotoGP-ready riders, compelling the team to explore acquiring more established talent from other teams to remain competitive. The team was linked to discussions with Pedro Acosta last season, reflecting a willingness to broaden recruitment horizons beyond homegrown riders. The presence of satellite teams like Gresini attracting premier riders such as Marc Marquez has further demonstrated that VR46 can position itself as a strong destination for experienced racers seeking competitive Ducati machines.
If VR46 continues its relationship with Ducati into the new 850cc era, it is expected to field two highly coveted bikes. Whether the team will compromise its philosophy of nurturing academy talents for the sake of acquiring star names remains an open question, but a successful integration of a high-profile rider would enhance the team’s prospects significantly.
Upcoming Seasons Will Be Crucial for Current VR46 Riders
Both Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio face defining moments in their careers during the 2026 season. Di Giannantonio has yet to demonstrate versatility beyond sporadic victories and confronts limited options if unable to deliver stronger results in this contract year. Morbidelli holds a more sentimental position, being the first academy rider to win a MotoGP race and championship for VR46, yet his trajectory has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent race hardware.
Morbidelli is at a crossroads, entering his ninth premier-class season and reliant on continued VR46 support, as his 2025 campaign failed to signal a resurgence. Both riders will need to capitalize on the upcoming season to prove their worth and justify Rossi’s faith in them.
Nicolo Bulega’s Potential Return and Impact on VR46’s Future Line-Up
Looking further ahead to 2027, Nicolo Bulega emerges as a prominent candidate to join VR46. A former academy rider with strong ties to Rossi, Bulega is currently expanding his MotoGP involvement through a testing role, leveraging his experience with Pirelli tyres in World Superbike. His growing familiarity with Ducati’s GP27 prototype could position him well for a full-time MotoGP ride, likely at a satellite team such as VR46. This would mark a compelling comeback for Bulega, reinforcing the team’s commitment to developing Italian talent while pursuing improved results.
By the beginning of the 2027 season, Bulega will have amassed valuable testing experience, potentially surpassing the credentials of both Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio heading into the new era of MotoGP. This scenario may force VR46 to reassess its current rider lineup if it aims to restore its winning form.
Expectations and Stakes for VR46 Ducati in the 2026 Campaign
As the 2026 season approaches, VR46 Ducati finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. The combined pressure from Ducati’s factory support, Rossi’s legacy, and competition from rival satellite teams creates an environment where the margin for error is slim. The team must not only improve on-track performance but also demonstrate strategic agility in rider selection and development.
If VR46 fails to rebound, it risks falling further behind in the MotoGP hierarchy during a phase of significant sporting and technical transition. Conversely, a strong showing could cement its status as a competitive force once more, potentially attracting marquee talent and elevating the Italian outfit’s influence in the championship. All eyes will be on Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio to step up, while preparations continue behind the scenes to integrate promising riders like Nicolo Bulega for sustained success.
