Luca Marini became the first rider from the VR46 Racing Team in MotoGP to join a factory team in the premier class, heading to Repsol Honda in 2024. It marks a significant milestone in Valentino Rossi’s team project, fulfilling one of its objectives with the VR46 Riders Academy riders.
The director Uccio Salucci assured GPOne.com that he was pleased with Marini’s move, despite its late confirmation, emphasizing that it aligns with the project’s vision:
– Since the MotoGP project began, Valentino and I always told each other that we are here to get the Academy riders into factory teams. So, I’m happy for Luca because we’ve been consistent with our project. We pushed to keep [Marco] Bezzecchi with us because it was another satellite team, but for Luca, except for the issue of the timing happening in November, I’m happy. He’ll be at HRC, I can’t help him, but I’m happy.
