VR46 has been using Ducati bikes since entering MotoGP in 2022. The contract with the manufacturer extends until the end of the upcoming season and might not continue, with Yamaha speculated as the primary alternative.
Currently, there are eight Ducatis in the grid, a situation the manufacturer admitted it doesn’t intend to maintain for much longer. While the Desmosedici GP ensures competitive bikes, supplying three teams isn’t necessarily financially advantageous for Ducati.
Each manufacturer receives three million euros from Dorna for having at least one satellite team. Yamaha is the only manufacturer with just its factory team, striving to have a satellite team again by 2025. Director Lin Jarvis has acknowledged VR46 as a potential option.
Despite the YZR-M1 being one of the less competitive bikes currently, it’s not the most appealing option for the team. However, Valentino Rossi’s strong historical ties to Yamaha create a significant relationship. Nevertheless, VR46’s team manager, Pablo Nieto, assured Motorsport.com that their priority is to renew with Ducati.
But what if there was a third option? The Pierer Mobility Group plans to consider having a second satellite team in 2025, after GasGas Tech3. One project involves reviving MV Agusta— a brand they currently own— in the future, and there’s strong pressure to secure more slots. This could involve an existing team or a new one. However, at this moment, the most likely scenarios for VR46 seem to be either sticking with Ducati or shifting to Yamaha.