Morbidelli Stays with VR46 for 2026

Franco Morbidelli will continue with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team into the 2026 MotoGP season, extending his partnership with the Tavullia-based outfit after a strong first year together. The deal confirms the team’s line-up for next season, with Morbidelli once again alongside Fabio Di Giannantonio on Ducati Desmosedici GP machinery.

Balaton Park Sprint Race – A good day for VR46 with both riders on the podium

The Italian-Brazilian rider has deep ties with the VR46 project, having been the Academy’s first recruit and its first World Champion thanks to his 2017 Moto2 title.

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.”

Balaton Park Sprint Race Podium late last month

Now in his seventh year of MotoGP, Morbidelli’s career tally includes three wins, six podiums, and a runner-up finish in the 2020 championship.

Franco Morbidelli celebrated his 200th Grand Prix at Silverstone

Since joining VR46 for 2025, Morbidelli has already returned to the podium with main race rostrums in Argentina and Qatar, plus Sprint podiums in Qatar and Hungary. Heading into the final eight rounds of the year, he sits sixth in the standings on 161 points.

Alessio Salucci – VR46 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.”

MotoGP Championship Standings

Pos	Rider	Points
1	M. Marquez	455
2	A. Marquez	280
3	F. Bagnaia	228
4	M. Bezzecchi	197
5	P. Acosta	164
6	F. Morbidelli	161
7	F. Di Giannantonio	154
8	F. Aldeguer	126
9	J. Zarco	114
10	F. Quartararo	109
11	B. Binder	91
12	R. Fernandez	73
13	L. Marini	72
14	M. Viñales	69
15	E. Bastianini	63
16	A. Ogura	58
17	J. Miller	52
18	J. Mir	46
19	A. Rins	45
20	J. Martin	23
21	P. Espargaro	16
22	T. Nakagami	10
23	M. Oliveira	10
24	L. Savadori	8
25	A. Fernandez	6
26	S. Chantra	1
27	A. Espargaro	0

2026 MotoGP Dates

Date	Event	Circuit
01/03	THA	Chang International Circuit
22/03	BRA*	Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna
29/03	USA	Circuit of the Americas
12/04	QAT	Lusail International Circuit
26/04	ESP**	Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto
10/05	FRA	Le Mans
17/05	CAT	Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
31/05	ITA	Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
07/06	HUN	Balaton Park Circuit
21/06	CZE	Automotodrom Brno
28/06	NED	TT Circuit Assen
12/07	GER	Sachsenring
09/08	GBR	Silverstone Circuit
30/08	ARA	MotorLand Aragon
13/09	SMR	Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
20/09	AUT	Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
04/10	JPN	Mobility Resort Motegi
11/10	INA	Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
25/10	AUS	Phillip Island
01/11	MAS	Petronas Sepang International Circuit
11/15	POR	Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
22/11	VAL	Circuit Ricardo Tormo