Pablo Nieto has discussed the links between Pedro Acosta and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team.
The VR46 Racing Team are one of four teams that officially have a seat available for the 2026 MotoGP season.
Franco Morbidelli's current contract with the Italian team will expire at the end of the 2025 season, but he currently sits fourth in the Championship, ahead of his teammate Fabio di Giannantonio.
With a Ducati up for grabs, the VR46 Racing Team have been mentioned in several rumours, but has been majorly linked with Pedro Acosta.
Ahead of the British Grand Prix, VR46 Racing Team Boss Pablo Nieto admitted that the team are interested in Acosta.
“At the moment it’s still very early,” Nieto told our colleagues at Crash.net.
“This is clear. And we have our riders, who we have to be focused on, because in the end if we are focused on them we know we can make very good results.
“And also it’s clear that if you go around the paddock and ask about Pedro Acosta, all the teams are interested in Pedro Acosta.
“This is clear. Yes, Pedro Acosta is interesting. But go and ask other teams and they will say yes [they are also interested].”
'We have to have an open mind...'
Nieto also expressed that the VR46 Racing Team has to 'have an open mind' when it comes to rider lineups.
“It’s very nice when you are making a very good job and the riders want to come to our team,” he added.
“So, that means we are making a very good job. Of course, it’s strange for us because in the past our project was only for the Academy.
“The Academy has made a fantastic job because when the Academy was born, it was to bring young riders from Moto3 or the Spanish Championship to be world champion, then to Moto2 and then MotoGP.
“And the goal we make with the Academy was that one.
“Now we have four riders in MotoGP, one rider in Moto2 with [Celestino] Vietti. So, I think the work the Academy made with all these riders is amazing.
“Last year we opened the mind a little bit to take another rider like Di Giannantonio from outside of the Academy. And I think we have to have an open mind. This is the line we are coming to now.”
