Marco Bezzecchi
VR46 are set to play a very active role in the MotoGP rider market in 2026, and Pedro Acosta’s name is never far away from a potential move to join Valentino Rossi’s team.
The MotoGP rider market is simmering away as teams get ready for the first pre-season test at Sepang on February 3-5. But the temperature might rise quickly, as almost all of the 2026 grid are due to be out of contract at the end of the new season – including both VR46 pilots.
Ducati signed Fabio Di Giannantonio to a two-year factory contract in August 2024 and have since left him at VR46, whom he initially joined in 2024. VR46 also signed Franco Morbidelli to a new one-year contract last September, having otherwise been out of contract last term.
VR46 gave Morbidelli a new contract for 2026 after talks with Acosta about a possible move from KTM fell through. KTM refused to let Acosta buy out of his contract to join VR46, as he was keen to ride a Ducati Desmosedici in the final season of the current 1,000cc regulations.
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Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli are VR46’s priority over signing Pedro Acosta for 2027
VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto has confirmed that his outfit held talks with Acosta in 2025, as it would “be a dream” to sign the 21-year-old. Nieto also added that VR46 are still “open” to Acosta potentially joining them in the future, with his contract with KTM expiring in 2026.
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But a move to sign Acosta for the 2027 MotoGP season is not currently the priority at VR46, as far as Nieto is concerned. The Spaniard has told Crash that VR46 will offer Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio the chance to earn futures with the team before they would target Acosta.
Nieto stated: “We would like to try to keep the same riders, because in the end we want to give the opportunity to our riders. But you never know what happens. So, we have to try to make our best, try to have the best riders, and we are focused on that.”
Franco Morbidelli has the most to prove to earn a new contract at VR46
Di Giannantonio had the best season of his MotoGP career so far in 2025 after he received factory equipment from Ducati, who also made VR46 their top satellite team last year. The 27-year-old secured sixth place in the riders’ championship with 262 points aboard a GP25.
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Morbidelli ranked seventh in the 2025 standings with 231 points riding a Ducati GP24, with VR46 only running one factory Desmosedici. Also, Rossi rejected the chance for VR46 to get a second factory Ducati for Morbidelli in 2026, which Ducati gave to Gresini’s Alex Marquez.
Rossi is believed to have been willing to pay the increased fee for a second factory GP26 had VR46 signed Acosta for the 2026 season. Di Giannantonio will continue to be the only VR46 rider with the same equipment as works Ducati stars, Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.
Now, Morbidelli faces 2026 potentially being the final year of his MotoGP career if the 31-year-old cannot produce more consistency compared to last season. It is also believed that VR46 may protect Morbidelli less after he was regularly criticised for his behaviour on track.
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