Valentino Rossi’s VR46 MotoGP team has signed Indonesian oil brand Pertamina as its new title sponsor for the next three premier class seasons, the company replacing current partner Mooney.
The VR46 Ducati outfit’s deal will start on the eve of the 2024 campaign, the squad set to be known as Pertamina Enduro V46 Racing Team.
The lubricants organisation also title sponsors the Indonesian Grand Prix event, with the news it was making the leap into premier class title sponsorship coming during the event weekend.
VR46 Team Director Alessio Salucci labeled the upcoming partnership between seven-time premier class champion Rossi’s operation and Pertamina as “crucial” in its quest to continue fighting at the front of the MotoGP field in future seasons.
“Welcoming Pertamina Lubricants, which for the next three seasons will be the title partner of the VR46 Racing Team, marks in a crucial way the history of our Team, an important piece and a further step forward in achieving our goals,” said Salucci.
“In 2024, a new era of our history in MotoGP starts, an adventure full of successes, which began only two years ago.
“This would not have been possible without the support and participation of a partner like Mooney who I would like to thank personally for mutual trust and respect”.
Italian payment and banking outlet Mooney will step away from the team after a single season as title sponsor. However, the press release didn’t make clear whether the brand would remain with the team in a smaller capacity.
Pertamina’s current sponsorship arrangement with Gresini’s MotoGP team will likely come to an end as a result of its deal with VR46. At the same time, the future status of its current naming deal with Moto2 outfit SAG is also unknown.
