Valentino Rossi’s outfit has been a presence within the MotoGP paddock for nearly a decade, having began out in Moto3 in 2014 earlier than increasing into Moto2 in 2017.
In 2022, VR46 closed down its Moto2 and Moto3 groups to step as much as MotoGP as a Ducati satellite tv for pc squad, fielding Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi.
Regardless of a suggestion from Pramac to experience a manufacturing unit bike subsequent yr, Bezzecchi elected to stay with VR46, whereas Marini has additionally re-signed for 2024.
VR46 workforce director Uccio Salucci advised Autosport in an unique interview final weekend at Misano that he “hopes my job” with Bezzecchi ends for 2025 and the rider steps as much as a manufacturing unit squad.
“I didn’t need a one [year] or one plus one,” Salucci mentioned when requested if signing Bezzecchi just for 2024 was a part of a plan to make sure he will get a manufacturing unit experience in 2025.
“Some contained in the workforce pushed me for this manner, however I didn’t need. I mentioned [I wanted] only one yr as a result of I hope that on the finish of the subsequent yr that Bezzecchi goes onto the manufacturing unit workforce and I hope Ducati manufacturing unit.
“On the finish of subsequent yr, all of the manufacturing unit contracts cease, and possibly he has quite a lot of conditions.
“I hope he continues with Ducati, as a result of for me it’s the proper bike for him. However my job with Marco, I hope, stops on the finish of the subsequent yr.”
Valentino Rossi, Uccio Salucci, VR46 Racing Staff
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Requested if VR46 will stay just for its personal riders or if it could be open to signing somebody from elsewhere on the grid, Salucci famous the checklist of Academy members able to make the step to MotoGP in 2025 isn’t large.
“We’re open, as a result of we don’t have any riders from the Academy [ready for MotoGP],” he added.
“We have now Celestino Vietti, however the Academy has some new riders however very younger. Proper now the Academy is working to search out younger Italian riders and we’re near opening the doorways to the Academy for 2 younger riders.
“However actually younger, like 13, 14 years {old}. So, they aren’t even prepared for Moto3.
“We have to work with them a few years. So, for certain we have to open our doorways as a MotoGP workforce to different riders.”
VR46 will stay with Ducati for 2024, however there have been rumours a couple of potential Yamaha change for the next season.
Salucci mentioned the workforce shouldn’t be married to persevering with with Ducati, however the Italian marque is its “desire”.
“For certain, my desire now could be to stick with Ducati,” Salucci famous.
“However the one benefit of the unbiased workforce is it’s potential to resolve the bike. It’s an enormous benefit.
Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Staff
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“If Yamaha, Aprilia, KTM wish to include us, and the bike is nice, for certain we’re nonetheless open to resolve. Now the precedence is to stick with Ducati, however you by no means know on this world.”
VR46 gained’t have manufacturing unit equipment subsequent yr, although Salucci defined that that is right down to Ducati not having sufficient time to construct a fifth works machine for 2025 given Bezzecchi’s contract was signed in late August.