MotoGP: Franco Morbidelli to VR46 Racing Team Confirmed, Replaces Marco Bezzecchi

VR46 Racing Team has confirmed the signing of Franco Morbidelli for the 2025 MotoGP season. The former Yamaha rider will join forces with Fabio di Giannantonio, forming a new-look lineup for Valentino Rossi's squad. Morbidelli, the 2020 MotoGP runner-up, will transition from the Pramac Ducati team to VR46 on a one-year deal. He will continue riding the GP24 Desmosedici, while his teammate di Giannantonio is set to receive the upgraded factory GP25 after securing a direct contract with Ducati. The move comes as Marco Bezzecchi, a three-time Grand Prix winner, departs VR46 to join Jorge Martin at Aprilia for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

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Franco Morbidelli said: 'What a beautiful story! I am very happy to announce that I have signed with the VR46 Racing Team for the 2025 season. I will definitely feel at home here, I really want to do well and repay, with good results, this trust both for myself and for all the crew. I want to go back in the years and rejoice again with the whole group. A heartfelt thanks to the entire VR46 Riders Academy and to my management. Vale, Carlo, Uccio, Albi and Gianluca. Friends, but also key figures in the VR46 reality. I can't wait to start this new adventure together.'

MotoGP: About Franco Morbidelli

The Italian rider claimed the 2017 Moto2 title with Marc VDS before stepping up to MotoGP with the Belgian team on Honda machinery the following year. Morbidelli joined Petronas SRT (Yamaha) in 2019, where he won three races and finished as the championship runner-up in 2020. However, his last MotoGP podium came in mid-2021, after he replaced Maverick Viñales at Monster Yamaha.

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This year, Morbidelli switched to factory Ducati machinery with Pramac but missed all of the pre-season testing due to an injury sustained on a Superbike at Portimão in January. Despite the setback, the 29-year-old has managed a best finish of fourth in a Sprint race and fifth in a Grand Prix, placing him 12th in the world championship standings. 

VR46 currently sits fifth in the team standings, ahead of KTM’s factory squad, but two spots behind fellow Ducati satellite team Gresini.