Franco Morbidelli has announced he will remain a satellite Ducati rider after renewing his contract with the VR46 for the 2026 MotoGP season.
Morbidelli was one of the first riders to join Valentino Rossi’s academy, created in 2014 and became its first rider to win a World Championship after his triumph in the 2017 Moto2 season.
Since his step up to MotoGP, Morbidelli has scored three wins and six podiums, mostly en route to a second-place finish in the 2020 World Championship.
However, after multiple injury struggles at Yamaha and Pramac, VR46 gave Morbidelli a lifeline to salvage his MotoGP career and prove he was still capable of achieving the form that almost won him a premier class title.
The Italian has earned two podiums in Sunday races so far in 2025 and shown himself as a consistent rider throughout the campaign.
“My love for this team is very deep. I feel great here and have an amazing relationship with every single member,” Morbidelli said in a team statement.
“It will be a pleasure to race with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team next year as well. It’s fantastic to announce something so special.
“I hope to experience many more great days like the ones we’ve had this year, because we truly deserve it. We have almost a year and a half ahead of us to keep showing the great potential we have together.
“I want to thank the whole team, with Vale [Rossi], Uccio [Salucci], and Pablo [Nieto] leading the way, the partners, the VR46 Riders Academy, and my people.”
Alessio ‘Uccio’ Salucci, Team Director of VR46 Racing, added: “We are happy to confirm Franco for the next season too.
“He integrated with the team right from the start, building an excellent personal and professional relationship that has led to important results.
“Franco has been part of the VR46 Riders Academy since the very beginning and seeing him wear the colors of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team has a special meaning for us, it feels like coming full circle.
“This year, with two podiums in the main races and two more in the Sprint, we showed what we can do; in this last part of the season and in the next one, the goal is to improve even more.
“His experience has been an added value and, together with the team’s expertise and Ducati’s support, we’re excited to continue this journey together in 2026 as well.”
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