MotoGP: Rossi’s VR46 team moves up to Top-Class with Saudi backing

Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team secures Saudi backing for a full MotoGP entry in the 2022 MotoGP World Championship.

After dipping its toe into the premier-class by running Luca Marini within the Esponsorama team this season, Valentino Rossi’s VR46 squad has secured backing for a full MotoGP entry of its own from 2022.

“In 2022 the VR46 Team will debut in the MotoGP class together with Tanal Entertainment Sport & Media with Saudi Aramco as the main sponsor for the period 2022-2026,” read a press release from Tanal Entertainment Sport & Media.

The VR46 team will race in MotoGP from next season and will do so for at least 4 years, that is, until the 2026 World Championship. It is the result of an agreement between Tanal Entertainment Sport & Media,the holding company that is part of Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Saud,with VR46 Team,the company of Valentino Rossi. In 2022 the VR46 Team will debut in the queen class together with Tanal Entertainment Sport & Media with Saudi Aramco,as the new main sponsor for the period 2022/26: on the track, therefore, the new ARAMCO Racing Team VR46 will take off.

The Aramco-VR46 deal includes continuing in Moto2, as the Saudi branding effectively replaces Sky Italia on the VR46 bikes