The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is nearing the end of its contract with Ducati in MotoGP, so its future is uncertain. Yamaha is looking to have a satellite team, and considering the manufacturer’s connection to Valentino Rossi, a partnership seems plausible. However, this is not the team’s preferred scenario.
According to Motorsport.com, there is the possibility of unilaterally renewing the contract with Ducati until 2026 by exercising an option valid until the end of May. In doing so, they continue to receive the current treatment, with two bikes from last year’s version. However, the desire is different: to have at least one current bike.
Team principal Uccio Salucci said on the aforementioned site that the switch from Ducati to Yamaha is complicated: “Yamaha is my second home. However, for them to enter, they have to offer a more competitive bike. Ducati is a great bike, and its performance is very high. We owe that to our partners. Change is not easy‘.
Pramac is currently the only Ducati satellite team with the latest version of the bike. Despite also wanting this type of equipment, VR46 does not seek the status of Pramac: “Pramac is Ducati’s reference satellite team. VR46 does not want this status. What we want is to grow and have a factory bike next year“, explained Salucci.
With Yamaha, VR46 could have monetary advantages, but the sporting side seems to be the priority – especially since the team has heavyweight partners like Pertamina, ensuring a strong financial position.
