Marco Bezzecchi decides 2024 MotoGP plans

Update: Asked if Marco Bezzecchi will race GP23s next season, VR46 told Crash.net: 'At this moment, yes,' which suggests there may still be a slim chance of acquiring the latest GP24s for the Italian.

After a  video showing Bezzecchi writing a pensive letter addressed to the VR46 Racing Team was released on social media this morning, with the words "Someone wants to tell you something..." it was officially confirmed that the young Italian is staying at the squad for 2024.

Bezzecchi, who has taken his first two MotoGP victories this season and is third in the world championship, faced a choice of either remaining with VR46 on a year-old bike next season or switching to a factory machine at Pramac.

Pramac looked like the initial favourite but Bezzecchi was reluctant to leave Valentino Rossi's team, The Doctor himself urging the young Italian to remain during a recent visit to the Austrian Grand Prix.

“I am really happy to confirm that in 2024 I will be on track with the Mooney VR46 Racing Team," Bezzecchi said. "This Team has been crucial to my career until now and into the future.

"I arrived here in 2020, in Moto2, we then landed together in 2022 in MotoGP and this year we had an incredible season so far. Continuing to grow in this working group, with the support of Ducati, is the most natural choice for me.

"2024 brings with it many expectations, but right now I want to focus on this season. We are currently fighting for the podium in the Championship, we have the Team Title open with Luca and I am sure that everyone in the Team will give their all, even more than they have done so far, to achieve these goals.

"Thanks to Vale, Uccio, Pablo, the VR46 Riders Academy and all those who made this possible. Remaining in the Vale Team is a great motivation as well as a pride".

A factory-spec Desmosedici at VR46 would be the perfect solution for Bezzecchi next season, but Ducati insists Pramac has taken up its option on running the two available GP24 entries outside of the Official team of Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini.

Today's confirmation said only that Bezzecchi will race "a Ducati Desmosedici GP" in 2024, when Luca Marini is set to remain as his VR46 team-mate.

“I cannot hide the satisfaction of having signed this agreement with Marco," said team director Alessio Salucci. "Not only because he represents a bet won within a long growth path in our Team from Moto2, but for the entire working group and also for all our partners, whom we thank for their support, and the fans who follow us.

"It was essential to be able to continue another year and I have to thank all those who collaborate with the management of the Team, Vale and Pablo for the collective work that has led us to achieve this goal.

"I'm happy because I know how much means for Marco to stay here in our Family. As a Team, together with Ducati, we will give him all the resources and commitment available to continue working with the same serenity and Team spirit that has allowed us to achieve extraordinary goals this season".

Pramac is yet to announce who will take the place of Johann Zarco, switching to LCR Honda next season, alongside Jorge Martin. But with Bezzecchi staying at VR46, Franco Morbidelli is the favourite to take over the Pramac ride.

2024 is the last year of VR46's current contract with Ducati. Yamaha has hinted it would like the team to become its new satellite partner, given its obvious links to Rossi, but VR46 would need to be convinced of the competitive level of the M1.