Franco Morbidelli’s move from Pramac to the VR46 Racing Team for the 2025 season was officially announced on Friday morning at the Austrian Grand Prix. Later that evening, it was also confirmed that Morbidelli would take over the team currently working with VR46 rider Marco Bezzecchi.
VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto confirmed that Morbidelli will inherit the full team, including Matteo Flamigni and the existing crew, currently supporting Bezzecchi. The transition comes after a difficult season at Pramac Ducati, where Morbidelli sustained injuries from a crash in the winter, causing him to remain absent for the preseason tests. However, through his recent form, Morbidelli has managed to impress the team boss. Nieto told MotoGP.com:
think he’s making a very good job, starting to get a very good feeling with the bike.
“We see today that he was fighting for the top three all the time, so this is very important.”
Referring to Morbidelli’s crash from last year and his absence during testing, Nieto said:
“If we look in the past, for sure this winter wasn’t very good for him: he has the injuries in Portimao with the bike and he didn’t make the winter test.
“So, in the end you are missing like 3,000km, and now in MotoGP if you miss the winter tests it’s almost impossible to make something.”
Nieto confirmed that Morbidelli will be on the GP24 bike next season and will join the VR46 team alongside Bezzecchi’s existing crew. He said:
“He will continue with the same bike [as this year] which is very important, and then continue working like [he is now].
“So, I think we can make very good things.
“He will join us with Matteo Flamigni and all the crew [that currently works with Bezzecchi].”
Speaking on his signing with the VR46 Racing Team, Morbidelli told MotoGP.com:
“What a beautiful story! I am very happy to announce that I have signed with the VR46 Racing Team for the 2025 season. I will definitely feel at home here, I really want to do well and repay, with good results, this trust both for myself and for all the crew. I want to go back in the years and rejoice again with the whole group. A heartfelt thanks to the entire VR46 Riders Academy and to my management. Vale, Carlo, Uccio, Albi and Gianluca. Friends, but also key figures in the VR46 reality. I can’t wait to start this new adventure together.”