Why Valentino Rossi is putting pressure on Ducati over 2027 rider line-up

Valentino Rossi has made it clear he already knows who he wants riding for VR46 in 2027, and that message is being interpreted as a way of turning up the pressure on Ducati.

Although it has not been officially announced, 2026 is expected to be the final season at VR46 for its current riders, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli. That means Rossi must secure two replacements for 2027, while also confirming whether the team will continue with Ducati machinery beyond next year.

VR46 has a multi-year agreement with Ducati in place from 2025 that positions it as a factory-supported team, and the partnership is widely expected to continue.

But Rossi kept the option to terminate the contract at the end of 2026, a strategic lever that is now playing into the dynamics of the 2027 rider market.

A bid to restore winning momentum

Rossi wants a rider line-up that excites his global fan base and puts VR46 back in contention for race victories — something the team hasn’t achieved since Marco Bezzecchi won three grands prix (Argentina, France and India) in 2023.

With no emerging young Italian star immediately ready to step up within the squad, Rossi hinted strongly at knowing exactly who he wants for 2027 — but wasn’t prepared to reveal names at VR46’s launch in Rome, saying: “I know, but I can’t say yet.” That remark is widely viewed as a calculated message to Ducati, urging the Italian manufacturer to help secure top-level talent. 

At the same time, Ducati executives present at the factory Ducati team’s launch in Madonna di Campiglio played down Rossi’s signalling, even while acknowledging that the collaboration with VR46 beyond 2026 remains likely. Their official stance has been that their current priority is finalising the Marc Marquez contract, then addressing Francesco Bagnaia’s future and everything else in due course. 

Franco Morbidelli & Fabio di Giannantonio, VR46

Photo by: Media VR46

Pedro Acosta: A near-impossible dream

At the top of Rossi’s wishlist is Pedro Acosta, but Ducati has different priorities: Acosta is now its key target to partner Marquez in the official team for 2027–28. Ducati technical director Gigi Dall’Igna wants to secure that deal as early as possible. 

If Acosta’s signing happens as planned, the rider market could explode. Bagnaia would likely need to find a seat with another factory team — most likely Yamaha. KTM would be forced to pursue young talent to replace Acosta, potentially alongside Maverick Vinales in its factory line-up. Meanwhile, Honda would push hard for 2021 champion Fabio Quartararo.

Both Rossi - who said “we’re currently with Ducati, and if the rules change in 2027, I believe the bike will be ready and competitive” - and team principal Uccio Salucci - who suggested continuity is “90% sure” - made it clear at the Rome presentation that VR46 will honour its multi-year Ducati deal and continue beyond 2026. 

However, they also made space to apply pressure to the Bologna manufacturer, which was keen to avoid losing two more bikes after Pramac’s surprise move to Yamaha last year. 

Two young talents waiting in the wings

When asked about alternatives, Acosta’s manager Albert Valera, told Motorsport.com that “VR46 is an option, but our first goal is to fight for a factory ride — whether with Ducati or another manufacturer.” That comment effectively rules out Acosta joining VR46 for 2027, unless the rider market dynamic changes dramatically. 

As a contingency plan, and with Ducati’s cooperation, Rossi has identified two promising young talents: Fermin Aldeguer, who is contracted with Ducati through the end of 2027, and David Alonso, the 2024 Moto3 champion, who scored two victories and five podiums in his rookie Moto2 season and is aiming for another title in 2026 before stepping up to MotoGP next year as a Ducati-contracted rider.

Strategic change looms with 2027 rule shift

With the major technical regulation changes coming in 2027, where all Ducati machines will use a unified specification in the first year (GP27), eliminating mechanical disparities, Ducati enters the rider market with a competitive edge. 

Ducati wants to give Aldeguer status as the lead official rider in a satellite team, while VR46 sees the Spaniard, a race winner in his rookie season in Indonesia, as a valid alternative to Acosta. 

This jockeying could leave Ducati’s top two satellite teams locked into competitive seat negotiations. Gresini Racing would likely need to renew with Alex Marquez for 2027–28, a deal that is expected to attract plenty of competition and require significant investment, both for salary and machinery, to secure him a full factory-spec bike again after 2026.