Sylvain Guintoli thinks Valentino Rossi is at the Qatar Grand Prix to discuss signing zero-win rider for VR46

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Valentino Rossi has made the MotoGP legend’s first appearance at a race in 2025 in Qatar, tempting debates about the VR46 team founder’s real reasons for attending.

The seven-time premier class world champion did not visit the first three rounds of the 2025 MotoGP calendar owing to his commitments in the four-wheeled racing world. But Rossi has a break in the schedule this week, so elected to give his VR46 Racing Team a visit at Lusail.

VR46 have enjoyed a strong start to 2025, with Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio sat fourth and fifth in the riders’ championship on 55 and 44 points ahead of this weekend’s Grand Prix of Qatar. Additionally, VR46 are sat second in the teams’ standings behind Ducati.

Sylvain Guintoli thinks Valentino Rossi attended the Qatar GP to discuss signing Pedro Acosta

But on top of offering Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio some valuable advice, Sylvain Guintoli thinks one of the reasons why Rossi attended the Qatar GP is to hold talks with Pedro Acosta about leaving KTM Factory Racing for VR46. His crew are one of the few with a gap for 2026.

Out of the three Ducati teams, only VR46 currently have a bike spare for next season as they only gave Morbidelli a one-year contract to join from Pramac. Di Giannantonio has a factory Ducati deal through 2026 – when Acosta’s contract with KTM is also currently due to expire.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend

So, with speculation rife that VR46 have a cheque in hand to sign Acosta with KTM having a tough start to the season following their financial troubles, Guintoli would not be surprised if Rossi is targeting the 20-year-old. Acosta only scored 16 points over the first three rounds.

Guintoli told TNT Sports 2 (12/04, 12:54): “He’s got an agreement until the end of 2026, but there are conditions. One of the conditions is that KTM actually do continue to race in 2026.

“So, there are a lot of things in the air and important discussions to be had. We know [that] in MotoGP [discussions] start really early. And, yep, that’s probably one of the reasons why Vale is here.”

What has Valentino Rossi said about Pedro Acosta leaving KTM for VR46 Racing Team?

Morbidelli’s contract expiring after the 2025 season could offer Rossi and VR46 a route to explore signing Acosta if the Spaniard breaks out of his KTM contract. But they are not alone in admiring the Mazarron native as Honda like Acosta, who can leave KTM for €5m (£4.5m).

But Acosta wants to see out his KTM contract through 2026, having been a KTM rider since his Moto3 debut in 2021 let alone his MotoGP debut in 2024. He also won the 2021 Moto3 and 2023 Moto2 titles with KTM Ajo before then stepping up to the premier class at Tech3.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Valentino Rossi’s VR46 from current riders to bike

KTM’s financial problems and lack of results could test the relationship, though, and Acosta believes he has a ‘good’ relationship with Rossi. So, if KTM’s results cannot improve to even show Acosta they can be competitive, he might jump in search of his first MotoGP race win.

Rossi, though, played down the rumours linking VR46 with a move for Acosta when pushed by MotoGP’s world feed on Friday at the Qatar GP. He even voiced praise for Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio, yet Rossi also left the door open to a future change in VR46’s rider line-up.

“I like Acosta very much,” Rossi told MotoGP. “He’s a fantastic rider. He’s very young and he has an incredible talent. It’s very early, and we are happy with Franco and Di Giannantonio because they are part of us. We have grown together. So, we will see.”