VR46 is set to play a very active role in the MotoGP rider market in 2026, and Pedro Acosta’s name is not far from a possible move to join Valentino Rossi’s team.
of MotoGP rider market The drills are on as the teams prepare for their first pre-season test at Sepang on February 3-5. But almost all of the 2026 grid is out of contract at the end of the new season, so the temperature could rise quickly – including both VR46 Pilots.
Ducati Signed Fabio D’Giantantonio In the year They left him on a two-year factory contract in August 2024 and have since joined VR46 in 2024. VR46 also signed. Franco Morbidelli With a new one-year contract that expired last September.
After talking with VR46, he gave Morbidelli a new contract for 2026 Acosta About the possible movement KTM He fell. KTM didn’t let Acosta buy out of his contract to join the VR46.In the final season of the current 1,000cc regulations, Ducati was interested in driving Desmosedici.
Prove me wrong: Fermin Aldeguer has the best MotoGP team leader in 2026.
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Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli prioritize VR46 over signing Pedro Acosta for 2027.
VR46 Team Manager Pablo Nieto The outfit have confirmed they are in talks with Acosta in 2025 as it would be a “dream” to sign the 21-year-old. Nieto added that the VR46 is still “open” to Acosta joining them, whose contract with KTM expires in 2026.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Fabio Di Giannantonio from Net Worth to AS Roma
But the move to sign Acosta for the 2027 MotoGP season is not currently a priority at VR46, as far as Nieto is concerned. said the Spaniard. Crash That gives VR46 the chance to find a future with the team before Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio target Acosta.
Nieto said: “We want to try to keep the same riders, because in the end we want to give our riders a chance. But you never know what will happen. So, we have to try to find the best riders, and we will focus on that.”
Franco Morbidelli has a lot to prove as he earns a new contract at VR46.
Di Giannantonio had the best season of his MotoGP career so far in 2025 after receiving factory equipment from Ducati, who last year made the VR46 their top satellite team. The 27-year-old finished sixth in the riders’ championship with 262 points in GP25.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Franco Morbidelli from net worth to career statistics
Where should Valentino Rossi take his VR46 team in 2027?
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Morbidelli is seventh in the 2025 Ducati GP24 with 231 points, while the VR46 is just one factory Desmosedici. as well as, Rossi turns down opportunity for VR46 to get second factory Ducati for Morbidelli in 2026What Ducati gave to Gresini’s Alex Marquez.
Rossi is believed to have been willing to pay the increased fee when he signed Acosta for a second factory GP26 VR46 for 2026. Di Giannantonio remains the only VR46 rider with the same equipment as works Ducati stars, Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.
right now, Morbidelli 2026 could be the last year of his MotoGP career. If the 31-year-old can’t be more consistent than last season. It is believed that VR46 can slightly protect Morbidelli. After being regularly criticized for his behavior on the road.
