VR46 unveiled their bike for the 2026 MotoGP season in Rome on Wednesday. Everything was set in stone for the team, but things could have turned out very differently.
Team owner Valentino Rossi And the riders Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli took off the covers VR46s 2026 bikes on Wednesday. But there was one notable omission: Pedro Acosta.
Rossi’s team has been involved for a long time KTM Star. Acosta tried to void the contract. He said he was frustrated by the RC16’s lack of competitiveness and the constant crash early in 2025.
What do you think of the VR46 2026 livery?
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A move to Ducati’s satellite team appears to be seriously on the cards. Acosta appeared in front of the VR46 sponsor board In Assen, much to the chagrin of Di Giannantonio, who told the Spaniard to show more respect for KTM.
In the end, Dorna CEO Carmelo Izpeleta wanted the riders to honor their contracts and KTM refused to negotiate a transfer fee, so no move was made. But by the end of 2026, VR46 is free of restrictions.
Uccio Salucci He said earlier VR46 will do everything to sign AcostaHe points out that 2027 is their main target. However, the team has changed its tune in 2026, and it will cost them.
Uccio Salucci says VR46 will wait until the middle of the 2026 season to make Pedro Acosta’s decision.
to speak GPONSalucci shared that VR46 will wait until the middle of the season to decide the line of riders until 2027, they want to give Diggia and Morbidelli a chance to prove themselves.
He said: “Look, with Pedro, there was an opportunity in the middle of last year and he was not happy with KTM, the manager came to talk to us, I listened to him, why not?
“I knew it was impossible, he had a contract with KTM, but I listened when the management came to talk to you, and if it was possible, I don’t know, it was more of a temporary discussion.
“Then maybe, I don’t know, next year, now I want to introduce my boys because they are very valuable to me, to make them as strong as possible, to exploit them is not the past.”
“Yes, because they are worthy men, in my opinion, they are very strong, then from the middle of the championship, we will see what we have to do.”
Read more: Everything you need to know about Pedro Acosta from money to girlfriend
Pedro Acosta wants to secure his MotoGP career ahead of the 2026 season, and he may already have it.
This may seem like a reasonable approach as teams want to weigh their options. But actually, according to the report Motorsport Spain‘The most wanted grid positions for 2027 are already expected to be filled’ in the fourth race in Qatar.
In addition to that, Acosta wants to complete his future before the 2026 season. So, if Rossi and VR46 are prepared to wait until mid-season, it may be too late to sign the KTM rider.
Complete the sentence: In 2027, Pedro Acosta will…
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Rumors have indicated the same Acosta already has his 2027 contract Between strong links to Ducati and Honda. VR46 may have already missed their window.
Acosta wants to be world champion and do it on the fastest bike on the grid. Rossi needs VR46 to win racesAnd the Spaniard is already a golden ticket that they can slip between their hands.
