With Fabio Di Giannantonio set to depart, VR46 appear to be focusing their search for his replacement on Italian riders to partner Fermin Aldeguer.
Over the weekend, news broke that Di Giannantonio will join KTM in 2027, reuniting with his former Gresini teammate Alex Marquez. It’s a move that leaves an opening alongside Aldeguer at VR46, and Rossi seems keen to fill it with another Italian.
But narrowing the search to just Italian options won’t be easy, especially given the current crop in MotoGP. The team may need to broaden their scope and consider riders from other categories or even bring someone up from outside the series.
There are already a few names being discussed within the team, including a potential return for a former VR46 rider who has long-standing connections with Rossi.
VR46 looking at Luca Marini and Celestino Vietti as Fabio Di Giannantonio’s potential replacements
MotoGP journalist Mela Chercoles told Nico Abad that VR46 are looking to replace Fabio Di Giannantonio with another Italian rider.
Franco Morbidelli has been ruled out due to poor form, leaving them with two main options: bringing back Luca Marini, who has close ties to Valentino Rossi, or signing Celestino Vietti from Moto2’s Speed Up Racing team.
“We already know that Di Giannantonio has said yes to KTM… They (Ducati and VR46) want it to be an Italian rider. The fight, theoretically, was between Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli,” Chercoles said.
“Morbidelli was no match for Di Giannantonio, just wasn’t producing results that justify it. Another option is to move Vietti up from Moto2, which they like.
“Let’s see what happens with Luca Marini, who has been left without a place at Honda. He had an offer from Yamaha at one point, and now he has been left without a place. He is Valentino Rossi’s brother and is a good rider…”
Since news broke of Di Giannantonio leaving the team, another name linked with VR46 may also be attracting interest from other teams.
Nicolo Bulega, linked to VR46, spotted talking with Aprilia during the Spanish Grand Prix
MotoGP reporter Mela Chercoles added that Nicolo Bulega, who has been linked with a move to VR46, had his manager in Jerez during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, holding discussions with Aprilia.
Bulega’s name had already been associated with VR46 well before Di Giannantonio’s decision to join KTM became public. But there are questions about whether Valentino Rossi will follow through on signing him.
If Rossi chooses to bring Luca Marini back into the fold, it could push back Bulega’s arrival in MotoGP. On the other hand, Ducati—who have an existing agreement with Bulega—might step in to accelerate his move.
Rossi doesn’t need to rush the decision just yet. However, he’ll need to factor in Ducati’s interests when choosing Fermin Aldeguer’s future teammate.
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