Marco Bezzecchi
Valentino Rossi’s VR46 outfit became the second MotoGP team after Pramac to release their 2026 bike this week.
Last year, the Italian team had a promising start to the year, but tailed off a little as the campaign progressed. It looked like they would have two riders in the top five of the standings at one stage.
Unfortunately, they tumbled a bit, and VR46 ended up finishing third in the MotoGP teams’ championship, with their riders ending up sixth and seventh on a personal level.
The team were undoubtedly buoyed by Rossi’s presence when he turned up to watch them, such as at Mugello when Fabio Di Giannantonio stole a podium from Francesco Bagnaia late in the race.
What do you think of VR46’s 2026 livery change?
Rossi is motivated to lead VR46 in 2027, amid rumours that he could end up selling the team. His exploits away from the two-wheeled scene suggest otherwise.
After failing to win a race last year, Rossi says VR46 need to be more consistent over the next 12 months, ahead of a big regulation change.
READ MORE: ‘Paddock’ rumours suggest Franco Morbidelli could lose his last saving grace in MotoGP in 2026
Valentino Rossi’s three-year racing deal shows he’s unfussed about running VR46
VR46 have been linked with Pedro Acosta for some time, and are viewed as one of his best chances to get on a competitive bike.
Their satellite Ducati deal means that they should enter 2027 in a strong position to compete, which KTM haven’t been able to offer him for some time.
But, VR46 are the most ‘vulnerable’ team to a sale, and everything could change over the next year or so. Rossi attending no more than seven of the 22 races every year suggests that he isn’t that invested in them anyway.
Motorsport.com now reports that he has signed a three-year deal to continue racing for Team WRT, this time in GTWC Europe, instead of the World Endurance Championship (less travel).
At a time when it looked as though his four-wheeled exploits were over, he has come back once more. Could it be the final nail in VR46’s coffin?
“The choice was mine, in agreement with BMW, with whom I signed a three-year renewal,” said Rossi. “I also had to carefully understand what to do with them, but I’m very happy because I feel good in this championship.”
Why Valentino Rossi selling VR46 would be a bad thing for VR46
Even though he isn’t on the grid anymore, having his name there in the form of a team is a good thing for MotoGP.
Losing Rossi in that sense could see a few more of his fans switch the TV off, because they won’t have as much to cheer on anymore.
It’s a bit like when he retired, and a large portion of the fanbase no longer had an allegiance to anyone. Who would they support next?
Granted, with a team, it’ll have a much smaller effect compared to a rider, but it’s still something that would have a negative effect on MotoGP as a whole.
The championship is in a much stronger position with a Rossi that is involved in it.
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