Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP team wish an opportunity for Bulega, Marini?
Valentino Rossi admits VR46 risks losing Fabio di Giannantonio but insists the MotoGP team still wants an Italian rider.
Valentino Rossi was trackside at Catalunya on Friday, watching his VR46 riders Fabio di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli finish sixth and 15th on the practice timesheets.
Speaking to Sky Italia afterwards, the Italian was asked about his vision for the team’s future.
VR46 is set to gain Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini for 2027, but lose di Giannantonio, currently the top Ducati rider, who is tipped to join the factory KTM team.
"First of all, we're all very happy with the work we've done so far with Diggia,” Valentino Rossi told Sky.
“When we started together, Diggia was on his last legs, and year after year we've managed to grow together, and now he's going really strong. It's a great satisfaction for us.
“There's a risk he might leave, so we're disappointed, but we're still happy with where we're at.”
Rossi then stressed the importance of retaining at least one Italian rider.
“We want to keep at least one Italian rider for next year because our team has always grown with Italian riders.
“So there are several options, several things to figure out. Nothing's official yet, we'll see."
Assuming Morbidelli departs, VR46’s other Italian options include Rossi’s brother Luca Marini, who is expected to lose his factory Honda seat, plus Ducati WorldSBK title leader Nicolo Bulega.
However, Sky suggests that VR46 Academy Moto2 rider Celestino Vietti is also a possibility. Vietti tested the team's Ducati at Valencia last November.
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Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
