The VR46 MotoGP team, led by Pablo Nieto, is facing a crucial challenge as they aim to elevate their performance and compete with the best. In a recent interview, Nieto acknowledged that his team's lack of consistency in 2025 left them trailing behind their fellow Ducati satellite team, Gresini.
VR46 received Ducati's factory support in 2025, with Fabio Di Giannantonio riding a GP25, a significant upgrade from the previous year. However, the team's performance failed to match their expectations, with only six podiums combined between Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli across 22 races.
In contrast, Gresini consistently challenged for podiums, with Alex Marquez winning three grands prix on a GP24 and rookie Fermin Aldeguer securing a maiden victory in Indonesia. Gresini's impressive performance resulted in a 188-point lead over VR46 in the final teams' standings.
Nieto expressed his disappointment with the team's inconsistency, especially when compared to Gresini's strong showing in 2025. He emphasized the need for improvement, stating, "We have to beat them, beat the factory team from time to time, because that's our goal—to fight for something that matters."
But here's where it gets controversial: Nieto believes that understanding the team's inconsistency is key to their success. He highlighted the need to analyze why they fought for podiums in some races and struggled to stay in the top 10 in others.
"It's very important to be more consistent because, in the end, that's what makes the difference," Nieto explained.
The team aims to achieve a level of consistency that will keep them consistently in the top five. However, Nieto acknowledged the difficulty of the task, especially when problems arise.
"When you have problems, it's crucial not to amplify them. A small problem can quickly escalate, and that's why we sometimes fight for the podium and sometimes not," he added.
As VR46 looks ahead to the upcoming season, they will have a factory-spec bike for Alex Marquez, presenting a new opportunity to challenge Gresini and prove their worth.
So, what do you think? Can VR46 turn their fortunes around and become a consistent podium contender? Or will Gresini continue to dominate? Let's discuss in the comments and share your thoughts on this intriguing MotoGP team dynamic!
