The VR46 Ducati MotoGP operation has announced that Luca Marini will leave the team at the end of 2023, with his upcoming move to Honda soon set to be announced.
The Italian has been rumored to be on the move to the Japanese manufacturer to replace the outgoing Marc Marquez across the past few weeks, though delays with his current VR46 team finding a replacement have delayed the announcement.
Talks with Moto2 hotshot Fermin Aldeguer have ultimately seemed to have gone away, with Qatar Grand Prix winner Fabio Di Gianantonio now in prime position to secure the VR46 berth for 2024.
With things now set to be either set or nearly set with his old team, run by half-brother Valentino Rossi, VR46 announced on Saturday in Valencia that Marini would officially be leaving the squad at the end of the term.
Marini says he “thought a lot” about whether to leave the squad or not, though ultimately felt the experience he had gained so far in his premier class career had set him up for a “new path.”
“I spent most of my Championship career in this Team, so many of the most significant moments of my career so far are linked to this group of people,” said Marini.
“We have grown a lot together and have gained a lot of satisfaction.
“This will be my last race with the Mooney VR46 Racing Team: I thought a lot before making this decision and evaluated the new challenges I will face.
“I leave behind a fantastic Team that contributed to my growth and knowledge of the technical aspects and complexity that characterize this kind of sport. It’s time to embrace a new path with enthusiasm, without denying what has been, but with the eyes focused on the future.”
Marini has shown steady progression since making his MotoGP bow in 2021, the six-time Moto2 race winner having improved from ending his maiden year 19th overall to now sitting seventh with just two races remaining at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo this year.
He secured his first premier class rostrum earlier this year by finishing second in the Americas GP at the Circuit Of The Americas and added a second by finishing third in last weekend’s Qatar GP.
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