Pertamina Enduro VR46 faces a new reality in MotoGP this year, stepping into the role of Ducati’s primary satellite team. This new status brings even greater synergies with the factory.
Being in this position has earned Pramac titles over the past two years. For VR46, only one rider will have the most up-to-date bike, assigned to Fabio Di Giannantonio, while Franco Morbidelli will ride last year’s Ducati.
Pablo Nieto, team manager, explained how this new status changes the relationship with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer: ‘The relationship will be completely different because, in the end, when you become a factory-supported team, it means that you are a factory team. This is really important, because in the past it wasn’t like this. Now, this year, we are a complete factory team’.
The Spaniard emphasized that VR46 is now obligated to fight for podium finishes regularly: ‘This means that we will have full support from Ducati, we will have exactly the same bike as them. This means that we can fight for the podium in everty race – I don’t know about the title, because that is very, very difficult’.