Marco Bezzecchi
Franco Morbidelli is showing just why VR46 Racing Team signed the Italian up for the 2025 MotoGP season yet Valentino Rossi’s outfit have set their eyes on another rider.
The 30-year-old made the switch from Pramac to VR46 ahead of the new season to stay on a satellite Ducati riding the Borgo Panigale brand’s GP24 machine. Yet Morbidelli is racing for a spot on the grid as VR46 offered him just a one-year deal to partner Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Di Giannantonio is due to stay with VR46 through 2026 on a factory Ducati contract and may get a new teammate next term. Despite Morbidelli taking fourth in the season-opening Thai Grand Prix and third in Argentina, VR46 have a ‘cheque in hand’ to tempt a rival rider to join.
VR46 have a ‘cheque in hand’ to sign KTM rider Pedro Acosta
That is according to Gazzetta dello Sport, which reports that VR46 are on the front row to try to sign KTM Factory Racing ace Pedro Acosta. While the 20-year-old is under contract with KTM through 2026, Rossi thinks Acosta is the one rider able to stop Marc Marquez of Ducati.
Rossi views Acosta as the ‘anti-Marquez’ and VR46 may take advantage of the Mazarron ace growing frustrated with KTM’s struggles. KTM even fear Acosta could look to break out of his contract after the 2025 MotoGP season if they cannot provide him with a winning machine.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
Acosta’s contract does not include a termination clause based on his performances. But the 2023 Moto2 champion and KTM may reach an agreement to terminate his deal early, much to VR46’s delight with Rossi’s outfit already waiting to celebrate Acosta’s arrival at the team.
VR46 would even hand Acosta a factory-spec Ducati Desmosedici like Di Giannantonio gets were the KTM rider to agree to a move. Currently, the Bologna Bullets only deliver their riders Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia plus Di Giannantonio at VR46 a factory-spec bike in 2025.
Franco Morbidelli’s form could leave VR46 with a decision to make over Pedro Acosta
Despite Rossi’s desire to raid KTM, team manager Pablo Nieto does not feel VR46 are ready to sign Acosta as they continue to grow as a MotoGP team. Morbidelli’s podium in the 2025 Argentina GP was their first since Marco Bezzecchi took P3 at Jerez last year, 18 rounds ago.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Franco Morbidelli from net worth to career stats
Bezzecchi also bagged VR46’s last win at the 2023 Indian Grand Prix when the Italian sealed third place in that year’s riders’ standings. He showed VR46’s potential but Bezzecchi and Di Giannantonio failed to replicate those results to leave Nieto sceptical about Acosta joining.
If Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli can now build on the latter’s P3 in the Argentina GP, VR46 could prove a more appealing option for Acosta, though. But Morbidelli will hope his results also leave Rossi’s team with a decision to make for retaining the Italian beyond this season.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
