VR46 Eyes Franco Morbidelli for Next Season Amid MotoGP Team Shakeup

VR46 unveils reality behind speculated attraction to Franco Morbidelli

Shifting dynamics may bring Franco Morbidelli back with former allies

VR46 has expressed their interest in acquiring Franco Morbidelli for the upcoming season.

The Pramac squad's move to leave Ducati and join Yamaha as a satellite team next season will result in the selection of a revamped pair of riders.

Jorge Martin was always bound to leave, and he is poised to join Aprilia, whereas Morbidelli is not expected to be taken back by Yamaha, the manufacturer that parted ways with him last year.

Morbidelli appears to be a clear choice for the empty position in Valentino Rossi's VR46 MotoGP squad.

Team leader Uccio Salucci expressed to Motorsport, "It would be my absolute pleasure! My affection for him runs deep, so the opportunity to collaborate would be a dream come true, and this is something I've been vocal about for quite some time."

"Perhaps the following year will be when it actually happens."

"Indeed, we're open to considering another individual from the Academy, though it's quite a bit down the road given the numerous factors that need aligning. While I'm keen on the idea, we should hold off for a couple more weeks before making any decisions."

Morbidelli, who emerged from the VR46 Academy, will see a change next year as Rossi's squad has yet to sign any rider affiliated with his academy for the upcoming season.

Marco Bezzecchi is set to join Aprilia, following in the footsteps of Luca Marini who moved to Repsol Honda the previous year.

Fabio di Giannantonio is anticipated to remain and might gain from having access to a factory-spec Ducati.

The VR46 squad presently operates with last season's motorcycles, but with Pramac leaving, they stand to benefit by incorporating a GP25 into their lineup.

Ducati intends to allocate just a single GP25 to a team outside their own, indicating that the yet-to-be-named partner of Di Giannantonio will have to compete using a machine from the previous year.

This season, Morbidelli is racing on the GP24 with Pramac, and should he switch to VR46, he'll be using the same model of bike next year.

Morbidelli's debut season with Ducati faced a setback due to an injury he picked up during a pre-season testing session.

He needed some time to find his pace, but a fifth-place finish in the latest race in Germany served as a testament to his skills.

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