Pablo Nieto admits the ‘issues’ VR46 have on their hands with Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio

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VR46 Racing Team could have two outside contenders for the MotoGP riders’ title in their ranks this year with Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio starting well.

The teammates are fourth and fifth in the riders’ standings after the first three rounds of the 2025 MotoGP calendar. While the Marquez brothers top the table with Alex leading Marc by just one point, Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio have earned plenty of plaudits for their form.

Morbidelli leads VR46 with 55 points after his fourth-place finish last week in the Grand Prix of the Americas. Di Giannantonio also reached 44 points for the season so far in Austin after taking his first podium this term in third, just 3.594 seconds from winner Francesco Bagnaia.

What the VR46 pilots have shown this season has also seen Carlo Pernat tip Di Giannantonio as an ‘outsider’ for the 2025 MotoGP title. He has not yet finished a season higher than 10th in the table, but Roberto Locatelli touts Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli as 2025 title threats.

Pablo Nieto admits Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio give VR46 ‘management issues’

But while Morbidelli ending the Thailand, Argentina and Americas Grands Prix in P4, P3 and P4 plus Di Giannantonio securing P10, P5 and P3 results raises VR46’s ‘level’, team manager Pablo Nieto admits it also creates ‘management issues’ for the Tavullia-based MotoGP crew.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Di Giannantonio from net worth to AS Roma

Nieto believes the relationship between his team’s riders is ‘really’ strong. Yet it is inevitable that ‘tension’ will build between Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio as they strive to cash in on VR46’s potential and be their lead rider with your teammate always the first person to beat.

“The fact Frankie was angry, so to speak, about finishing fourth is obviously very positive,” Nieto told PecinoGP. “That means the team’s expectations are very high.

“When expectations are high and, on top of that, among themselves, they raise the team’s level. Well, that’s obviously in our interest.

“Then, obviously, we have our own management issues there. When you have two fast riders, there’s always a bit of tension. They get along really well. But you know, and everyone knows, that the first person you have to beat is your teammate.”

Franco Morbidelli angered Fabio Di Giannantonio at the Grand Prix of the Americas

Tensions between Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli already appeared to surface in the VR46 garage at the Grand Prix of the Americas last weekend. Di Giannantonio would not hide his anger at the Americas GP after feeling that Morbidelli held him up early in the Sprint Race.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Franco Morbidelli from net worth to career stats

Diggia was spotted kicking things in the VR46 garage following the Sprint, having finished it in P4 and 1.149s ahead of Morbidelli but 6.618s behind Ducati rider Bagnaia and a podium place. Nieto will now hope he can keep his riders’ emotions in check to continue their form.