Liberty Media aren’t satisfied with how Valentino Rossi is running his VR46 MotoGP team

Add as preferred source on Google

Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team are on course to finish third in the 2025 MotoGP standings. One could argue that they have underachieved given that they are in the second-in-command team in the Ducati structure.

Disappointingly, while Alex Marquez has won twice and Fermin Aldeguer has also stood on the top step, VR46 haven’t taken a victory in either Sprint or Grand Prix this year. They have managed 11 podiums, but they haven’t maximised the potential of their machinery.

Unless they triumph at one of the three remaining races, this will be the third time in four seasons that they have failed to win. Given Ducati’s dominance in that period, questions should be asked.

But for Liberty Media and Dorna, the concern isn’t necessarily on-track results. It’s the lack of consistent interest shown by team owner Rossi.

Liberty Media want Valentino Rossi to be more involved with VR46

When Dorna approved Rossi’s entry into the championship, they hoped that he would improve the ‘image’ of ‘popularity’ of MotoGP. He’d retired at the end of 2021, but this would keep him in the paddock.

However, as reported by El Periodico, Rossi has ‘devoted himself to car racing’ for the most part. This season, he’s competed in the GT3 class of the World Endurance Championship.

It’s telling that Rossi flew to Jakarta for a promotional event with VR46 title sponsors Pertamina ahead of the Indonesian GP, and then ‘immediately’ returned to Italy rather than attending the race. ‘The Doctor’ has been present for multiple weekends this season, but is still absent from the majority.

The next time Liberty and Dorna sell grid slots to a ‘great athlete’, they want them to be much more ‘committed to the championship’. They will ensure that the buyer takes a ‘personal’ interest in the fortunes of their team.

F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are interested in buying a MotoGP team, though they have been rebuffed by the likes of Trackhouse, LCR and Gresini so far.

Valentino Rossi looks to sell a stake in the VR46 MotoGP team

It’s said that Rossi views VR46 as a business, and he is of course entitled to manage his asset however he likes. He gave his life to MotoGP for a generation, after all.

El Periodico’s report adds that Rossi may consider selling a 20% stake in the team, with valuations already on the rise. Former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner recently paid Herve Poncharal just under £22m for Tech3.

Rossi paid just £2.6m to enter his team into the premier class, but they may now be worth ten times that amount. He could net over £5m if he’s able to sell a 20% stake.