Marco Bezzecchi
Nicolo Bulega’s future in MotoGP is all in Valentino Rossi’s hands, according to Mauro Grassilli, as VR46 eye the Italian for a 2027 seat.
The Ducati World Superbike rider, who has won all 21 races thus far in 2026, is determined to land a MotoGP seat next season. His chances of getting onto the grid have fluctuated in the past few months.
Bulega held meetings with Trackhouse as he considered leaving Ducati after they looked to be assessing other options. However, Ducati are keen on putting him in their set-up, and with Gresini off the table, VR46 is his only option.
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Mauro Grassilli says Nicolo Bulega’s future is in Valentino Rossi’s hands
With Fermin Aldeguer already signed for 2027, VR46 want an Italian on the second bike. Fabio Di Giannantonio is off to KTM next year, while Franco Morbidelli is likely to leave MotoGP at the end of the year.
Bulega is among the riders that Rossi is considering, along with Luca Marini and Moto2 star Celestino Vietti. According to reports, VR46 have decided to sign Bulega for 2027 and will move him to MotoGP.
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But that decision, according to Ducati chief Mauro Grassilli, is entirely up to VR46 and Rossi, suggesting that the Borgo Panigale outfit will have no influence over whether Bulega gets to MotoGP in 2027.
He told GPOne: “But I’ll tell you that, naturally, we discuss every race with the team. We’re very close to the VR46 team and we’ve said several times that, as companies, we’d love to have Nicola in MotoGP, to have him on the team.
“Naturally, the decision is very much theirs because the seat is free at VR46, so the lads are deciding, they’re analysing it and I believe they’ll give us an answer very soon.
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“Now, however, what I mean is that the direction is that way. In detail, it’s all in the hands of the VR46 team, of course, and we’ll soon find out what the future holds for him and where.”
Bulega still has regular contact with Rossi, despite leaving the VR46 academy in his early years. His dominance in WSBK will certainly have the MotoGP legend looking closely at him for a 2027 seat.
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