Valentino Rossi may now feel that his job with the VR46 MotoGP academy is ‘done’

VR46 handed Celestino Vietti a rare chance to sample MotoGP machinery during the post-season test in Valencia, stepping in for the injured Franco Morbidelli.

Vietti first appeared in VR46 colours in Moto3 back in 2018 and moved up to Moto2 in 2021 after two straight top-six championship finishes. He’s since claimed eight Moto2 wins and 14 podiums, but a full-time MotoGP seat still seems out of reach. Four riders from the VR46 academy are already competing in the premier class, the most decorated being Francesco Bagnaia, world champion in 2022 and 2023. Marco Bezzecchi, although no longer riding for the VR46 team, remains part of Rossi’s academy and is now a six-time MotoGP race winner after a standout 2025 season with Aprilia. Morbidelli will continue with the VR46 squad next year, and Rossi’s half-brother Luca Marini has just extended his deal with Honda.

 

Rossi’s talent conveyor belt is slowing down

After Vietti, the next prospect in line is JuniorGP rider Matteo Gabarrini, the son of Bagnaia’s crew chief Cristian. Rossi has recently added Lorenzo Pritelli and Leonardo Casadei to the academy as well, but the pool of rising stars is starting to thin. There’s a growing sense that Rossi may have already introduced his final rider to MotoGP.

As Matt Beer noted on The Race MotoGP Podcast, Rossi may feel he has achieved what he set out to do, given the success of Bagnaia, Bezzecchi and others:

“A couple of years ago you could spot five or six VR46 riders across the Grand Prix paddock,” Beer said. “When we say ‘Rossi is done with VR46’, relatively speaking it’s not a criticism. He’s done his job, he’s already contributed enormously.”

 

The best talent Rossi let slip?

Several riders have departed the academy over the years, but Nicolo Bulega stands out the most. After a disappointing 2019 season, he left VR46 at the end of that year. Ducati helped revive his career in World Supersport, and he’s now a frontrunner in World Superbikes. He also impressed when he filled in for Marc Márquez in MotoGP at the end of the season and has already signed on as Ducati’s test rider for 2026, putting him firmly in the conversation for 2027 factory seats.

A direct move to Ducati’s works team seems unlikely, but a return to VR46 could be on the cards especially if their Ducati partnership continues.