Franco Morbidelli will leave MotoGP for Ducati’s factory WorldSBK program in 2027, while Fermín Aldeguer has secured a VR46 seat for 2027 and 2028.
Franco Morbidelli will leave VR46 and MotoGP after the 2026 season, joining Ducati’s factory WorldSBK program and creating another opening in a rider market already changing the Italian team.
The move was confirmed in reporting updated on Wednesday, September 9. After Round 13 at MotorLand Aragon, Morbidelli is 16th in the MotoGP standings with 53 points.
Morbidelli heads to WorldSBK
Morbidelli’s latest MotoGP spell with VR46 will finish at the end of 2026. He will stay within the Ducati structure for his next ride, switching championships to represent the manufacturer in WorldSBK.
The decision also removes another established rider from MotoGP’s 2027 board.
VR46 has not announced Morbidelli’s replacement, and all names associated with the vacancy remain paddock speculation.
Aldeguer secures his VR46 future
VR46 has confirmed Fermín Aldeguer for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons. The 21-year-old, who currently rides a Ducati for BK8 Gresini, is 10th in the championship with 90 points.
The agreement gives VR46 one confirmed rider for both of the first two seasons under MotoGP’s incoming 850cc regulations. The full lineup is still incomplete, as the team has yet to announce who will take its second seat in 2027.
Three manufacturers lead the market
The confirmed changes stretch beyond VR46. Championship leader Jorge Martín will move from Aprilia to Yamaha in 2027, putting the current points leader at the heart of the Japanese manufacturer’s rebuilding program.
“They said going to Aprilia would be a disaster”
Martín defended the decision while leading the championship on 256 points. After Aragon, he is 19 points ahead of Ducati Lenovo rider Marc Márquez and 24 clear of Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi.
Reports naming further major Yamaha signings or undisclosed technical changes remain unconfirmed and do not form part of the team’s announced 2027 plans.
VR46 arrives at Misano with another priority
VR46 first has a home weekend to handle before its future lineup is completed. Fabio Di Giannantonio reaches Misano fourth in the standings with 208 points, 48 behind Martín.
Morbidelli still has the rest of the 2026 campaign to complete before switching to WorldSBK. VR46 returns to the track at the San Marino Grand Prix, racing before its home support at Misano.
