Phoenix 24
Valentino Rossi’s team prepares a complete transformation of its MotoGP lineup.
TAVULLIA, ITALY
Franco Morbidelli will leave the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team when the 2026 MotoGP season concludes, ending a two-year association with Valentino Rossi’s satellite Ducati operation. The team confirmed the decision in a farewell statement acknowledging their shared podiums, battles and relationship beyond the circuit.
Morbidelli joined VR46 in 2025 after competing for Pramac Ducati. His arrival represented an emotional return to the organization that helped shape his career: he was the first rider supported by the VR46 Academy and became its first world champion by winning the Moto2 title in 2017.
The Italian-Brazilian rider’s second season with the team has not produced the expected results. After 11 Grands Prix, he stands 16th in the championship with 53 points. His departure is also expected to conclude a nine-season MotoGP career that included spells with Honda, Yamaha and Ducati, three premier-class victories and a runner-up championship finish in 2020. A possible move to the World Superbike Championship has been reported but not formally confirmed.
VR46 will completely renew its rider pairing for 2027. Fabio Di Giannantonio is set to join KTM’s factory team alongside Álex Márquez, while Spaniard Fermín Aldeguer has already been confirmed as one of Rossi’s new riders after leaving Gresini.
The identity of Aldeguer’s teammate remains officially unresolved. Nicolò Bulega, currently competing for the World Superbike title, is regarded as the leading candidate. His promotion would preserve an Italian presence within Ducati’s MotoGP structure while giving VR46 a rider familiar with the manufacturer’s technical environment.
The decision reflects how rapidly MotoGP teams must balance loyalty, performance and long-term planning. Morbidelli’s historical connection with Rossi gave his return considerable meaning, but the competitive demands of the 2027 regulations are pushing VR46 toward a younger and substantially different lineup.
Loyalty preserves history, but competition continually reshapes the future.