Valentino Rossi retired from MotoGP after the Valencia race in 2021. The legend will no longer be on the starting grid in the next championship, leaving a gap among fans. An era that lasted 26 years ends, but his VR46 team remains legacy, which will debut in Top Class from 2022, after the first appearances in winter tests. The genesis of the Tavullia team encountered initial difficulties in terms of sponsors: for months Aramco seemed to be the main sponsor that everyone would have envied. Instead the negotiation failed and the Italian company Mooney intervened to get the project off the ground.
Failed marriage VR46-Aramco
Italian drivers, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi, Italian leaders, with Valentino Rossi flanked by Alberto Tebaldi and Alessio Salucci, Italian sponsor. There could not have been a better setting for the Italian fans and the many fans of the Doctor who will continue to reflect in the fate of this new team. But the lack of agreement with Aramco has sparked a trail of rumors. VR46 public relations had even issued an official statement between spring and summer 2021, complete with statements from Prince Al Saud. A partnership that seemed obvious given that the KSA New Cities logo already appeared on the hull, linked to major urban projects in Saudi Arabia.
From week to week, however, rumors of an unsubstantiated agreement have intensified. Each time the much-needed official press conference was postponed. And, above all, the agreed figures did not reach Tavullia. Heeled on the subject, Valentino Rossi turned the matter over to his direct collaborators who were interested in the affair. Then absolute silence. During the presentation of the Mooney VR46 team, the only one to talk about the story is the team manager Pablo Nieto.
On the other hand, an explanation, even if unofficial, had to be given. “Everyone knows we had a deal with them”Said the Spanish team manager during the next online meeting. “I think their timing was different from what we were doing at the time. This is why we decided to change and got in touch with Mooney. This is very important for us, we already had an agreement with Aramco. In the end it was a question of timing“.
Mooney VR46 at his MotoGP debut
With the sponsor affair filed away, the team led by Pablo Nieto is focused only on the upcoming MotoGP season. The tests have given glimpses of good hope. Luca Marini signed the best lap on the second day in Mandalika. Marco Bezzecchi seems to be making rapid progress in gaining confidence with the Ducati GP21. Both have a prototype capable of propelling Mooney VR46 towards important milestones. “We can end a great season”Assured Pablo Nieto. “We will work with the same DNA we had in Moto2“.
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