Marco Bezzecchi
Valentino Rossi doesn’t put his own money into the VR46 MotoGP team, but he may have to change that stance heading into 2027.
Rossi has already signed Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini to form one half of his 2027 line-up. If the plan was to keep the in-form Fabio Di Giannantonio on the other side of the garage, that has been scuppered by the #49’s move to KTM.
Rossi confirmed during the Catalan Grand Prix weekend, where he made a rare appearance in the MotoGP paddock, that he would sign an Italian rider for the other seat. According to Motorpasion Moto, the contenders are Luca Marini, Nicolo Bulega and Celestino Vietti, with struggling incumbent Franco Morbidelli on his way out.
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It has already been reported that Ducati would pay Bulega’s salary if VR46 give him a ride. The runaway World Superbikes leader, who represented Rossi’s team in the lower categories, has apparently been promised a MotoGP seat for 2027.
The dilemma for Rossi is that his half-brother Marini risks dropping off the grid after Honda opted for a brand-new factory line-up (Fabio Quartararo and David Alonso). The Japanese manufacturer don’t have any other bikes to offer him, with Tech3 committing to KTM and both LCR riders already under contract.
Rossi also likes the idea of giving Moto2 rider and academy talent Vietti a chance, but Ducati wouldn’t financially support that move either.
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If Rossi signs Bulega, VR46 will effectively be a second factory team with two continuously updated GP27 bikes. Aldeguer is also contracted directly to Ducati.
But Rossi’s relationships with Marini and Vietti mean the decision is not clear-cut. He previously ‘made clear’ that he wouldn’t fund VR46 himself, but he might have to ‘compromise his principles’ and invest some extra crash if he turns down the incentives attached to Bulega.
If he doesn’t return to VR46, then Marini could become a Ducati test rider, though it’s unclear if he would sooner race full-time in another series instead.
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