VR46 Racing Team gears up for MotoGP with Ducati support

VR46 Racing Team, Ducati’s new top satellite squad, faces challenges as Di Giannantonio recovers from injury while Morbidelli shows promising form.

Fabio Di Giannantonio of Italy and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team talks with team members during the first day of the 2025 MotoGP pre-season test at Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, on February 5, 2025. Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP

By Randy Ahmad and Adila Ghina

With Pramac’s departure from Ducati, VR46 Racing Team, led by Alessio “Uccio” Salucci, has officially become Borgo Panigale’s top satellite squad. This shift grants Fabio Di Giannantonio factory-spec equipment, putting him on equal footing with Ducati’s star riders, Marc Marquez and reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia. However, Di Giannantonio’s pre-season preparations took a hit after suffering an injury on the opening day of testing at Sepang.

As VR46 Racing Team embarks on its 2025 MotoGP campaign, Team Principal Salucci discusses the squad’s expectations and the hurdles they must overcome.

Di Giannantonio’s injury disrupts pre-season plans

Di Giannantonio’s participation in the Sepang test was cut short due to injury, leaving him sidelined for the remainder of the pre-season. His absence could affect his competitiveness when the season begins.

Salucci acknowledged the difficulties ahead, stating, “Diggia will have to treat the weekend like a test. It won’t be easy—he’s a rider and naturally wants to push. But we need to manage his condition, take things step by step, and accumulate track time. On Friday, we will run a structured program with Ducati, evaluate our progress by Sunday, and refine our approach for the race.”

Having completed only one of the five planned pre-season testing days, Di Giannantonio faces a steep learning curve as he adapts to Ducati’s factory setup.

Morbidelli shows promise in winter testing

On the other side of the garage, Franco Morbidelli has delivered encouraging performances in winter testing. After struggling with injuries and inconsistency in recent seasons, the Italian-Brazilian rider appears to be regaining his competitive edge.

Salucci expressed satisfaction with Morbidelli’s progress: “We’re really pleased with his performance. We came into Malaysia with a structured plan, executed it well, and continued refining our approach in Thailand. Our focus has been on time attack consistency, maintaining a steady rhythm, and minimizing mistakes. Franco hasn’t been at the forefront in a long time, but his progress is clear.”

He also emphasized the importance of providing Morbidelli with a stable and competitive setup: “We aim to give him a high-performance bike without constant changes. We want to establish a solid base setup that allows him to showcase his undeniable talent.”

Ducati’s GP24 decision benefits Di Giannantonio

Ducati’s decision to homologate the GP24 instead of the GP25 could work in Di Giannantonio’s favor. Having already raced with the GP24, he is familiar with its characteristics, which may ease his transition despite his limited pre-season mileage. However, his injury-related setbacks could still pose difficulties in the opening rounds of the season.

A crucial season for VR46 Racing Team

As the 2025 MotoGP season unfolds, VR46 Racing Team faces a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Morbidelli’s resurgence offers hope, while Di Giannantonio’s injury presents an early obstacle. With Valentino Rossi’s team stepping into a more prominent role as Ducati’s premier satellite squad, the expectations are higher than ever.

The coming races will determine how well VR46 Racing Team adapts to its new status, with both riders eager to make a mark in the championship.

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