Ducati’s Rossi-led team, with Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli, enters its fourth season with an improved bike and high hopes for podium finishes.
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The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team launched its 2025 MotoGP livery at the Nusa Indah Theater in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday, January 25th. The team, owned by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, showcased a striking fluorescent yellow-and-white, designed by renowned designer Aldo Drudi and Drudi Performance.
For the second consecutive year, the Tavullia-based team enjoys sponsorship from Indonesian oil giant PT Pertamina Lubricants. Riders Fabio di Giannantonio and new signing Franco Morbidelli attended the event, reflecting the team’s engagement with MotoGP’s growing fan base in Southeast Asia.
Although Rossi was absent from the event, he addressed fans via a pre-recorded video, emphasising the team’s ambitions for 2025. This year, VR46 solidified its role as Ducati’s primary satellite team following Pramac’s shift to Yamaha, marking a significant milestone in its partnership with the Italian manufacturer.
Under Team Director Alessio Salucci and Team Manager Pablo Nieto, VR46 will compete with Ducati’s cutting-edge GP25 bikes. Di Giannantonio, who impressed Ducati with his consistency and speed last season, is one of only three riders to receive a factory-spec bike, alongside Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.
Meanwhile, Morbidelli, who has moved from Pramac Racing, will continue with the GP24 model. Despite a challenging 2024 campaign, his inclusion strengthens the team’s all-Italian lineup, a key focus for Rossi and the VR46 Academy.
“In 2025, the expectations are very high, as we are now Ducati’s second team with the most competitive bike on the grid,” Rossi said in a press release. “We have two strong Italian riders—Franco Morbidelli, an Academy graduate, and Fabio Di Giannantonio, who will ride the factory bike. Our goal is clear: secure regular podiums, win races, and achieve a strong championship position.”
Ahead of the official pre-season test at Sepang from February 5-7, Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli will ride road-going Ducati bikes at the Mandalika Circuit to acclimatize to the region’s hot climate.
Last season, VR46 achieved a commendable fifth place in the Teams’ Championship, outperforming factory teams from KTM, Yamaha, and Honda. In the Riders’ Championship, Morbidelli finished ninth, his best result since 2020, while Di Giannantonio placed 10th despite missing the final two rounds due to shoulder surgery.
With the backing of Pertamina and Ducati’s advanced machinery, VR46 enters the 2025 season aiming for race wins and championship contention, further cementing its status as a rising force in MotoGP.
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