Marco Bezzecchi
VR46 have almost enjoyed a dream start to the 2025 MotoGP campaign and appear to be genuine contenders this season.
The 2024 campaign saw neither of their riders finish in the top eight of the championship. They made a change for this year and signed Franco Morbidelli.
Immediately he has hopped onto the bike and managed to secure three consecutive top-four finishes for VR46.
Teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio has recovered well from a pre-season accident and recently managed a podium at the Grand Prix of the Americas. Their second rostrum of 2025 in just three races already beats their tally from 2024.
Pablo Nieto admitted VR46 have ‘issues’ with Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio and that inevitable tension will exist at some stage.
Di Giannantonio was ‘really angry’ at VR46 last weekend at COTA, following a tough start during the sprint race which pushed him into the clutches of Morbidelli.
Pablo Nieto believes ‘key’ to VR46 success is Ducati knowing their MotoGP bike well
It’s clear that Ducati has a stranglehold on the current regulations and that it would take a remarkable effort from any manufacturer to close them down.
VR46 boss Nieto believes that one of their strengths is how well they know their machine, and what they have done to make both the GP24 and GP25 bikes so quick.
“Ducati has known how to touch the key of the bike in recent years, for me the electronics too, is a very stable bike, very competitive on all circuits,” he said.
“Obviously right now it is true that Ducati is above the other brands and also maybe it has to do with the fact that the jump we have had from the 24 to the 25 is not as substantial as it was from the 23 and 24 and so it is true that we see many Ducatis today because the 24 is a very competitive bike just like the 25.”
With the next regulation change arriving in time for the start of 2027, there could be nearly another season for VR46 to benefit from their speedy bikes.
They sit second in the team standings currently and will relish being ahead of four manufacturers on satellite bikes.
Can VR46 claim a landmark MotoGP victory during the 2025 season?
It has already nearly been two years since Marco Bezzecchi managed two victories on a GP22 bike for VR46.
Just one podium in 2024 represented a downturn in fortunes and a disappointing campaign. But, they have bounced back with one of their strongest starts in recent history this season.
On current form, clipping on the heels of the factory Ducati setup, they should be eyeing a victory with either one of their riders at some stage.
VR46 stopped Di Giannantonio doing one thing after he broke his collarbone while doing a wheelie during testing. They protected him from making an early return and he has been in great form since.
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