The VR46 Ducati MotoGP outfit will field an unchanged riding line-up in 2024 after the Italian team announced on Thursday that Luca Marini will remain for next term.
Marini had been expected to remain with the operation – owned by half-brother and seven-time premier class champion Valentino Rossi – having enjoyed a strong 2023 season that currently sees him sit seventh in the riders standings after 11 events, including a best ever MotoGP result of second secured at the Circuit of the Americas in April.
The six-time Moto2 race victor has penned a deal to remain with VR46 for a further season, likely on a year old Desmosedici in a similar vein to the 2022-specification machine he has run this term – Marini insisting that he is targeting a run for the overall championship next year in what will be his fourth season in the premier class.
“Remaining in the Mooney VR46 Racing Team also in 2024 is for me a question of trust in a very close-knit working group, which has believed in me for many years,” said Marini.
“As a Team, we will do everything to achieve our goals the next season. Not only Vale (Rossi), Uccio (Alessio Salucci) and Pablo (Nieto) whom I thank, but the whole technical Team that supports me and Ducati.
“Being among the protagonists of the 2024 season, fighting for the Championship as a rider and as a team is certainly a real ambition.”
Marini’s confirmation as staying with VR46 comes just a week after the team announced Marco Bezzecchi would stay put within the operation for next season following rumours he may switch to official Ducati satellite squad Pramac in place of Johann Zarco, who departs the team for LCR Honda for 2024.
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