VR46 are s🤡till prioritising a long-termꦐ stay at Ducati, Pablo Nieto says.

Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP team will see their curren🐻t contract as a Ducati satellite team conclude after the 2024 season although they retain an option to automatically extend tꦇheir stay until the end of 2026.

But Yamaha - due to their personal links with Rossi, who is currently their b🌃rand ambassador - and KTM have been linked with bringing VR46 into theiꦿr stables.

“It’s true that our contract ends at the end of t🙈his season,” team manager Nieto ex🌃plained.

“But we have the option 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.

ꦡ“This is go💯od for us because 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 workꦿ.

“But at the mom�🃏�ent? Our idea is to continue with Ducati.”

VR46’s Uccio๊꧒ Salucci had previously said: “My direction is to continue with Ducati.

“My dream is to sign the contract before Qata𒉰r because I want to stay quiet, I want to prepare this year very g൲ood.”

The 2024 ♒MotoGP season begins in Qatar on March 8.

VR46 hope to again fight at the front with Marco Bezzecchi 🌜- las👍t 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 fighting for🐈 the champion𒉰ship,” Nieto said.

“We💙 have to be very happy. But that’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 th𒊎ought, was not so much.

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

“It’s the bike of the worldꦰ champion, from Pecco. It’s a good step✨ for us.”

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

It eaﷺrned him a switch to VR46 to replace Luca Marini.

“We saw the potentia♚l that he has, at the end of last season,” Nieto said about Di Gi🐲annantonio.

“It’s the first time we are working together.ﷺ We have to know each other.

“It’s re🌜ally important to get a relationship with his chief mechanic, and all of the team.

“But, the bike, he knows already. So this i🌟s important♎.”