Valentino Rossi was present in the paddock of the MotoGP in Qatar, but the owner of the VR46 team cannot display the Ducati brand, due to contractual constraints.
De Luigi Ciamburro / Corsedimoto.com
Valentino Rossi was present in the MotoGP paddock during the Grand Prix of Qatar. He was able to appreciate the podium of his rider and friend Franco Morbidelli, who returned to Italy with fourth place in the general classification. During the Losail weekend, the Doctor also spoke about the young riders, not without breaking a lance in favor of Pedro Acosta, who is just waiting to get on a winning bike.
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha ambassador
Although owner and driving force of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, which races on Ducati motorcycles, Valentino Rossi was unable to display the Italian brand's logo on his T-shirt, unlike the other members of his team. All members of the VR46 team wore polo shirts and sweatshirts from the 2025 MotoGP season, with the Ducati logo prominently displayed on the front and sleeves. The Tavullia champion's uniform was completely devoid of the Borgo Panigale emblem. The reason? A contract signed in April 2023 that binds Valentino as Yamaha's official ambassador worldwide.
This image agreement with the Iwata house, concluded after a long sporting relationship (four world titles and 56 victories together), contractually prevents Valentino Rossi to publicly display the logos of directly competing brands like Ducati. A real paradox for the 46-year-old rider, who finds himself at the head of a Ducati satellite team, but cannot display the brand name. A demonstration that commercial partnerships can often lead to situations that are on the edge of the possible.
A situation that is all the more paradoxical this MotoGP season as VR46's prestige in the Ducati orbit has increased considerably with the allocation of an official Desmosedici, entrusted to the hands of Fabio DiGiannantonio. But the contracts are respected, in any case, and to the end. Even at the cost of embarrassing situations. Some time ago, there was talk of a possible move of his team alongside Yamaha, as a satellite team. But the deal didn't come to fruition.
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Luigi Ciamburro
Photo credit: VR46 Racing Team
