VR46 Academy rider, Franco Morbidelli, will ride for the VR46 MotoGP squad in 2025.
Instead of going back to Yamaha with Pramac, Franco Morbidelli has opted to stay on a Ducati in the VR46 MotoGP Team. It has been expected that Morbidelli would make the switch to VR46 due to his long-standing connection with the brand and owner, Valentino Rossi.
The Italian first jumped on a Ducati at the start of the 2024 season but has had an inconsistent first half of the season. However, with a new one-year deal Morbidelli gets another year on the Ducati GP24 in 2025.
Morbidelli will join Fabio Di Giannantonio in the team and will take the place of the departing Marco Bezzecchi.
“What a beautiful story!," said Morbidelli. "I am very happy to announce that I have signed with the VR46 Racing Team for the 2025 season. I will definitely feel at home here, I really want to do well and repay, with good results, this trust both for myself and for all the crew.
"A heartfelt thanks to the entire VR46 Riders Academy and to my management. Vale, Carlo, Uccio, Albi and Gianluca. Friends, but also key figures in the VR46 reality. I can't wait to start this new adventure together”.
Alessio Salucci, Team Director of VR46 said: "I am really happy to be able to confirm that Franco will race with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in 2025.
"Franco was the first rider to enter the VR46 Riders Academy, we have known him for years, we have seen him grow in Tavullia and today, with great satisfaction, we can say that he will join the crew starting from the next season. He is a rider of great talent, we can't wait to welcome him and let him enjoy the family and home atmosphere that distinguishes us.
"He will continue to race with a Ducati, a Desmosedici GP24, and we are sure he will be able to fight with the group of the strongest guys. Once again, I can only thank Ducati for the support both in human and technical terms and all our partners, Pertamina Lubricants among all, who support this incredible project”.
