Uccio Salucci explains why Valentino Rossi talks to ‘nobody’ at Ducati despite owning VR46 team

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Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team made a step up in the 2025 MotoGP season. They are now effectively second-in-command at Ducati.

VR46 inherited the third factory Ducati bike this season after Jorge Martin and Pramac left the manufacturer at the end of 2024. The Spaniard won the title on the GP24 before joining Aprilia, with his team moving to Yamaha.

With Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia on the GP25 this season, the third factory machine went to Fabio Di Giannantonio. Teammate Franco Morbidelli is on the GP24, having moved over from Pramac over the winter.

So far, it has been Morbidelli with the stronger results, grabbing three podiums from the first six races. Di Giannantonio missed pre-season after he broke his collarbone at Sepang and has been slowly getting back up to speed since then.

VR46 are looking to progress and compete at the front with Ducati, having signed a contract until 2029. The two parties have a great relationship and way of working, but interestingly, Rossi has very little impact on it.

Uccio Salucci says Valentino Rossi speaks to ‘nobody’ at Ducati

VR46 have highly experienced people behind the scenes, with Rossi, close friend Uccio Salucci and Pablo Nieto having a huge impact on the team’s day-to-day operation.

Speaking with Speedweek, Salucci explained how the team do dealings with Ducati. He says Rossi talks to ‘nobody’ from the manufacturer, with the responsibility being placed on him.

He said: “Like the other teams, we work at different levels. Pablo [Nieto] takes care of day-to-day operations. He speaks directly with Mauro Grassilli. I communicate directly with Gigi Dall’Igna. This involves general matters, including contracts.

When asked who Rossi speaks to at Ducati, he replied: “Nobody—Vale talks to me—I talk to Ducati.”

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

Uccio Salucci says Valentino Rossi is ‘interested in every detail’ at VR46

Many people have suggested that Rossi views VR46 as a business. He is very rarely seen at MotoGP events, with many believing that he only cares about his team if it is profitable.

However, when he does appear in the paddock, Rossi has a huge impact on VR46. The seven-time MotoGP champion can offer detailed feedback and words of encouragement to his riders, as evidenced by his antics in the garage in Qatar.

Salucci says Rossi is heavily involved behind the scenes and is vital to how the team functions: “Vale is involved in everything, Vale knows everything, Vale is interested in every detail,” he said.

“It’s all about the good stuff. Not just the good stuff, having fun, or a few nice designs. It’s also about being optimally positioned for this very complex business. The way we function as a team—all of that interests him, and it’s part of our work as a team.”