A divorce seemed possible, even probable. But ultimately, VR46 Racing Team will remain loyal to Ducati beyond 2026. According to several paddock sources, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer managed to convince the team founded by Valentino Rossi to extend their partnership… by putting a decisive argument on the table: the promise of a top-tier MotoGP rider. A strategic move that shows just how much Ducati wanted to keep this satellite team within its sphere of influence.
Since his arrival in MotoGP in 2022, VR46 has always driven with the Ducati the most successful on the grid. This collaboration allowed the Italian team to quickly establish itself as one of the most competitive satellite structures.
But with the approach of the new MotoGP technical regulations, the future of this partnership was far from guaranteed.
Discussions had notably been opened with Aprilia, a scenario that would have profoundly reshuffled the cards in the paddock.
The team director, Uccio Salucci, had also confirmed that these exchanges had indeed taken place.
For Ducati, lose VR46 would have represented much more than a simple change of satellite team.
The Italian manufacturer currently has a unique advantage in MotoGP: several satellite teams, which gives it more bikes on the grid and therefore an incomparable amount of data.
The “mystery rider” promised by Ducati to VR46
In other words, each Ducati Additional track time means more technical information for the engineers in Borgo Panigale. Keep VR46 It was therefore a strategic priority.
According to several reports recently revealed, Ducati would have convinced VR46 to stay by promising him a very high-level driver for the seasons to come.
No name has been officially confirmed. But in the paddockOne hypothesis keeps recurring: Fermin Aldeguer.
Only at 20 yearsThe Spanish rider is considered one of the greatest hopes of MotoGP. The technical director of Ducati, Luigi Dall'IgnaHe even presented it as a key element in the manufacturer's future.
Ducati recently extended his contract until the end of 2028, giving him considerable flexibility in deciding which satellite team to place him on. A transfer of Gresini Racing to VR46 It would therefore be perfectly possible.
Before imagining the future, Aldeguer However, he must address an immediate problem: his return to the track. Having crashed before the start of pre-season testing, the Spaniard missed the entire pre-season and the opening Grand Prix in Thailand. He was replaced at Buriram by the test rider. Michele Pirro.
But the latest news is encouraging. After a private test in Murcia this week, everything indicates that the young driver will be back as soon as... Brazilian Grand Prix.
If this is confirmed, this return will not only mark the resumption of his season… but perhaps also the first step towards a future central role in the galaxy Ducati.
