Franco Morbidelli discusses his decision to remain with the VR46 Racing Team for a second season in 2026.

Ahead of the Catalan Grand Prix, Franco Morbidelli re-signed with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team for a second season.

The Italian rider originally joined the team at the start of 2025 on a one-year deal, but has extended his stay in the Italian team with a new one-year deal for 2026.

So far during his time with the VR46 Racing Team, Morbidelli has featured on two Grand Prix podiums and two Sprint Race podiums.

"It feels good to have the chance to keep working together for another year," Morbidelli told MotoGP.com.

"It gives us a better way of working during the weekend, definitely a plus, I believe. I am happy to keep going with the same people, with the same guys inside the team. I like everybody inside the team, it is a great chance to work with them for one more year.

"Now we have to finish the second half of this season in a strong way. Right after Austria, we started on the pace we had before Germany. But we have to keep going and hopefully sorting out our future will give us an extra boost."

Morbidelli was the first official member of the VR46 Riders Academy, but did not ride for VR46 until this season. The 30-year-old has insisted that his decision to remain with the Italian team was 'easy' to make.

"It is easy," Morbidelli stated when asked why he re-signed with VR46.

"The bike is a great bike, it is the best bike on the field. I believe the team is the best team on the field. For me, I know them really well, and I feel at ease with everybody.

"It is very easy to work with everybody inside the team; it is easy to work with Ducati in general, so I am really happy."