Uccio Salucci explains why Pedro Acosta is likely to reject a VR46 move for the 2027 MotoGP season

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Pedro Acosta is one of the hottest prospects on the MotoGP grid at the moment, with VR46 having strong links to sign the 21-year-old for next season.

Team owner Valentino Rossi is very keen on securing Pedro Acosta‘s services for 2027, with it previously being reported that VR46 were ‘in the lead’ to sign Acosta despite offers from multiple teams.

Another report claimed that Acosta is searching for a ‘loophole’ in his KTM deal, with assistance from the VR46 chief himself, Rossi.

Maverick Vinales has urged Acosta to stay at KTM, warning the Spaniard that he’d need full support from the Ducati factory to have a chance of competing for a MotoGP world title.

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

Uccio Salucci thinks it’s ‘unlikely’ that Pedro Acosta will be a VR46 rider in 2027

Speaking to Sky Sport IT, Uccio Salucci spoke on the discussions, saying, “It’s difficult. All the contracts expire at the end of 2026, so it seems unlikely to me that Acosta will be able to join our team.”

However, the Italian sporting director doesn’t want to completely rule it out just yet, continuing, “Never say never, if the possibility were to arise, we’ll definitely talk about it next year, we’ll see. 

“All the contracts are freed up: Yamaha, Honda, and factory Ducati come to mind. At that point, someone like Pedro goes there, to a factory team, as is right.” 

Acosta’s current £1.5m-a-year deal at KTM is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season. The 2021 Moto3 and 2023 Moto2 champion was handed a new two-year deal after impressing in his rookie campaign during 2024.

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

Uccio Salucci ‘can’t not’ explore the possibility of Pedro Acosta at VR46

Salucci sees Acosta’s potential in the future of the sport, as the 12-podium VR46 chase their first world championship as a team. Signing an already two-time world champion could pay dividends for them.

“I won’t deny that at a certain point we spoke to Acosta, we listened,” Salucci continued.

“There were a lot of rumours in the paddock, we had a chat because you can’t not listen to someone like Pedro. That said, from there to coming to race with us is a long way.

“Next week, we’ll start talking with Morbidelli’s management about his future with us next year. We’ll start having a chat and we’ll update you shortly. We like Franco, let’s try to find an agreement. With Acosta, it was a quick chat and a coffee.”

Morbidelli’s contract with the Italian team will expire at the conclusion of the 2025 season. If they don’t come to an agreement, it will mark the exit of the first VR46 Academy member.