The upcoming season promises to be crucial for the VR46 team, which is aiming for a spectacular return after two years of drought in terms of victories. With a Ducati GP25 that Fabio Di Giannantonio is still struggling to fully master, the challenges are piling up. However, Valentino Rossi, the iconic figure of MotoGP, displays unwavering determination and hopes to see his riders shine on the grid.
A mixed record and renewed ambitions
The latest chapter in the VR46 story has been marked by lacklustre performances. Although the team managed to secure 13 podiums during the previous season and climbed to third place in the team championship, it is undeniable that a victory has been missing for far too long. Indeed, it has now been two years since VR46 last tasted victory. At the same time, Gresini Racing has managed to take the upper hand in the duel between the two Ducati partner teams, making the task even more challenging for Rossi and his crew.
Motorbikes with an appealing look, but speed is essential
Valentino Rossi, as passionate as ever, speaks of the importance of this new season with a hint of optimism. “We have somewhat returned to our classic colours. The bikes are very beautiful, now we just want to be fast!” The beauty of the Ducatis is not everything, and it is on the track that the true judgments will be made. “We are ready, we are very optimistic, and the goal is to try to do better than last year.” These words resonate like a mantra for a team that needs to reconnect with success.
A team in constant evolution
Reminding that this is their fifth season in MotoGP, Rossi highlights the ongoing challenges of competition. “Throughout our history, we have always been quite competitive. Last year, we finished third in the team standings and the goal is clearly to try to improve, to raise our level.” But the quest for victory is not just a matter of raw talent; it also involves essential team cohesion. “We also need to work together, the team and the riders, to improve our performance everywhere.”
Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio
A championship that evolves
The upcoming championship is set to take on a new light for the teams supplied by Ducati. The manufacturer has decided to increase the number of factory machines on the grid, thus providing Gresini with a Ducati for Álex Márquez, the reigning world vice-champion. For its part, VR46 retains the one for Fabio Di Giannantonio, who finished sixth overall last year, just ahead of his teammate Franco Morbidelli. This configuration could shuffle the cards in the paddock, but with the engine freeze in preparation for the transition to the new 2027 regulations, all riders will be on an equal footing with 2025 specification engines.
The key to success: consistency
In this context, performances could hinge on crucial details. Pablo Nieto, the team manager, shares this vision. “I think last year we had a good season. We need to improve on all the mistakes we made,” he explains. Consistency will therefore be the key to their success. “It is very important to try to be more consistent across all races. In the end, there are 22 races and that is a lot, so it is very difficult to be competitive every Saturday and Sunday, but that is our goal.”
Towards a winning dynamic
The importance of teamwork cannot be underestimated in this quest for victory. Rossi and his team aim to give their riders the best, so they can be faster and more competitive. “We want to try to give the best to the riders, to be at 100%,” concludes Nieto. Thus, all eyes are turned towards the upcoming season, where every turn could reveal a new opportunity for triumph for VR46.
