VR46 revealed its Ducati MotoGP motorcycles for the 2026 season during a special event held in Rome on Wednesday, signaling the beginning of the team’s fifth year competing in the premier class. This launch showcased the new design and equipment for its riders Fabio di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli as the team prepares to build on recent successes.
New Design Emphasizes Team’s Iconic Fluorescent Yellow
The latest livery for VR46 leans heavily on the fluorescent yellow tone, a color that has become synonymous with the Valentino Rossi-led squad. Moving away from the yellow-and-white scheme used in prior years, this season’s design blends yellow with black, a combination VR46 terms “black and light.” The riders’ suits follow this theme, featuring a distinctive two-tone look combining these colors to reflect the team’s identity and racing spirit.
Valentino Rossi highlighted the change in style, stating,
“We changed [the livery] this year. Three years ago, we did a yellow bike with a white [secondary colour], and we also decided to continue [with that] last year. This year, we wanted to change. We kept the yellow, which is our colour, but we put the black which is more racing. We went back to our classical colours a bit.”
Rossi, Team Principal
The new livery aims to visually signal VR46’s renewed determination as the team looks to improve results on the track.
Riders to Use Different Ducati Specifications in 2026
For the upcoming season, VR46 will field two Ducati machines with distinct specifications. Fabio di Giannantonio is scheduled to ride the full factory-spec GP26 model, while Franco Morbidelli will compete on the previous year’s GP25 bike. The GP25 notably helped Marc Marquez secure the 2025 MotoGP title with the official Ducati factory squad.
Despite the option to use two current-spec bikes, the team opted against running two GP26 models this season due to high costs and Morbidelli’s variable performance. The extra factory-spec bike shifted to Ducati’s other satellite team, Gresini, and will be piloted by 2025 championship runner-up Alex Marquez.
Because of the engine freeze rule implemented at the start of 2025, neither rider’s Ducati engine can undergo development updates during the 2026 season. This regulation applies to all Ducati riders and other non-concession manufacturers, limiting engine advancement until the current technical rule period concludes.
VR46 Seeks to Build on Strong 2025 Season Performance
In 2025, VR46 improved its position by moving from fifth to third in the teams’ championship, finishing only behind the factory Ducati team and Gresini. Di Giannantonio made four podium appearances after receiving an upgraded bike, while Morbidelli added two podiums despite riding a slightly older GP24 model he had used during his previous Pramac tenure.
However, the team has now endured two full seasons without a race victory, with the last win coming courtesy of Marco Bezzecchi at the 2023 Indian Grand Prix.
Morbidelli expressed confidence in the new bike’s design, saying,
“The bikes and everything are so beautiful. Now we just need to be fast.”
Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Rider
Optimism and Goals Ahead of the 2026 Campaign
Valentino Rossi conveyed cautious optimism about the forthcoming season, emphasizing the desire to deliver consistent strong performances across the calendar. He reflected,
“We are ready, we are very optimistic, and the target is to try to do better than last year.
Last year was an up-and-down season. In MotoGP, it is always very difficult for teams to remain in the top positions every weekend. So this can be our target for this year – try to improve and try to be competitive everywhere.”
Rossi, Team Principal
The 2026 VR46 Ducati launch represents an important step as the team aims to reestablish its presence among the championship contenders. Success this year could break the ongoing winless streak and reinforce its status as a leading force within the MotoGP grid.
