VR46 are still prioritising a long💦-term stay at Ducati, Pablo ﷽Nieto says.

Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP team will see their current 🦄contract as a Ducati satellite team conclude after the 2024 season although they retain an option to automatically extend their stay until the end of 2026.

But Yamaha - due to their personal links with Rossi, who is currently their brand ambassador - and KTM have been linked w𓂃ith bringing VR46 into t♏heir stables.

“It’s true that our contract end♉s at the end of this season,” team manager Nieto explꦐained.

“But we have the opti💞on to continue for two more years with them.

“We are happy, now, with Ducati. This is clear.

“But, also, it’s true that the other manufacturers are looking🌜 for us.

“This is good for us becau♏se it means we are doing a very good job.

“When some manufacturers ༒come to us and ask if we’re able or interested to change, it means we are doing good work.

“But at the momꦅent? Our𝔉 idea is to continue with Ducati.”

VR46’s Uccio Salucci had previously said: “My direction is to continue with Ducatiꦦ.

“My dream is to sign the contract before Qatar because I want to stay quiet, I 🐠want to prepaౠre this year very good.”

The 2024 MotoGP season begins in Qatar on ওMarch 8.

VR46 hope to again fight at the front with Marco Bezzecchi - 𒀰l🍃ast year’s breakthrough star - and Fabio di Giannantonio, their new recruit who shone in the final rounds of 2023.

“Last year we had almost the perfect season. We were figꩲhting for the championship,” Nieto said.

“We have to be very happy. But tha🦂t’s done. We have to think about this year.

“It’s important to෴ see the differences between the ‘22 and ‘23 bikes.

“It’s true that the difference, we thought, was♑ not so much.

“But it’s quite bigꦺ. But the potential is bigger than last year.

“It’s the bike of the world champion,꧟ from Pecco. It’s a good step fo💙r us.”

Di Giannantonio, after learning that he would lose his Gresini spot to Marc Marquez, st🍒rung together a podium in Australia and a stunning victory in Qatar.

It earned him a switch to VR46 to repl🍸ace Luca Marini.

“We saw the potential that ꦿhe has, at the end of last season,” Nieto said about Di Giannantoni🔯o.

“It’s the first t🍸ime we are working together. We have to k𒁃now each other.

“It’s🌺 really important to get a relationship with his🐈 chief mechanic, and all of the team.

“But, the bike, he knows already. So ꧟this is important.”