VR46 director just dropped the strongest hint yet about their future as a Ducati satellite team

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VR46 face an uncertain future in MotoGP as rumours suggest that they could leave Ducati, or the sport altogether.

Valentino Rossi brought his team to the premier class in 2022, having achieved huge success with his VR46 academy and developed riders such as Pecco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, and Luca Marini. The team have always used Ducati bikes in MotoGP.

After Pramac left for Yamaha at the end of 2024, VR46 became Ducati’s second-in-command, with Fabio Di Giannantonio receiving factory machinery for 2025. But despite this, Rossi’s team did not win a race and finished third in the standings behind Gresini.

Nadia Padovani’s team will also get a factory slot with Alex Marquez in 2026, which seems to have unnerved Rossi. Subsequently, VR46 have been heavily linked with Aprilia for 2027.

The seven-time MotoGP champion could take his team away from Ducati, with rumours suggesting that Rossi is also in talks with Yamaha. He won four of his titles with the Iwata outfit and established himself as a global icon.

Uccio Salucci wants to hold on to VR46’s position at Ducati ‘very tightly’ amid Aprilia links

VR46 team manager Uccio Salucci confirmed to GPOne that he had discussions with Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola. But the Noale outfit have reiterated that their current satellite team Trackhouse are the ‘priority’, and they likely do not have the budget to bring another on board.

For Salucci, he is holding on to his position at Ducati ‘very tightly’, as many will want that place. He has strongly hinted that he has no intention of taking VR46 away from Borgo Panigale.

“As I’ve always said, it’s normal with Massimo, a wonderful relationship that goes back to before motorcycles, because I met Massimo when I was testing the 2004 Ferrari, if I’m not mistaken, so he was working at Ferrari,” said the VR46 chief.

“We’re a great team, they are a great team. We had a chat, but from there, VR in Aprilia also passed under the points. Then I would like to clarify one thing. Two years ago, we became supporters of what is the number one company in the world.

“Now I hold on to that place very tightly, I hold on to it very tightly because there are a lot of people who might want it. We have worked hard to get it, so why should I leave? But then they listen to what we say because we are polite people too, aren’t we?”

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

Will VR46 be on the MotoGP grid in 2027?

Only time will tell what VR46 decide to do for the 2027 season. That also includes leaving MotoGP entirely.

Rossi could sell VR46 amid rumours that he is considering his role as a team owner. Many believe that he views his project as a business, given he is rarely at races and focused on his endurance racing career.

However, at the team’s 2026 launch in Rome, Rossi said he is ‘motivated’ for the 2027 season and seems keen to lead VR46 into the new regulations.

Rossi wants to see victories in 2026 from Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli. That could ultimately be the deciding factor in whether VR46 is still a MotoGP team come 2027.