The Italian-Brazilian rider and the Tavullia-based team will continue racing together in MotoGP also in 2026, after a first year in which they already got a taste of the podium.

The journey continues: Franco Morbidelli will wear the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team colors also in 2026 MotoGP season. The bond between the rider and the Tavullia-based team grows even stronger with the contract renewal for another year aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP. With Fabio Di Giannantonio as his teammate, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s line-up for 2026 is now completed.

Morbidelli was the first rider of the VR46 Riders Academy, and the first of the project to win a World Championship (in Moto2 in 2017). After seven seasons in MotoGP, three wins, six podiums and a runner-up finish in 2020, he joined the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in 2025. Here, he secured two podiums (Argentina and Qatar) in the main races and two Sprint podiums (Qatar and Hungary). Franco is currently sixth in the World Standings - 161 points - eight Grand Prix remaining in the season.

ALESSIO SALUCCI - TEAM DIRECTOR
“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.”

FRANCO MORBIDELLI
“My love for this team is very deep. I feel great here and have an amazing relationship with every single member. 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, Uccio, and Pablo leading the way, the partners, the VR46 Riders Academy, and my people.”