Bulega joins VR46 with a factory Ducati and a head start on 2027

Nicolò Bulega will race for VR46 in 2027 alongside Fermín Aldeguer, taking the seat currently occupied by Franco Morbidelli. At 26, he arrives later than most Moto2 graduates but will not be starting from zero: Ducati already uses him as a MotoGP test rider in 2026, and he contested the final two races of 2025 as a substitute for Ducati Lenovo.

That experience matters even more under the new rules. Ducati has involved him in development work on the future 850cc MotoGP bike, and Bulega already knows Pirelli tyres, which will replace Michelin in 2027. He therefore has unusual familiarity with two of the biggest changes facing the entire grid.

Bulega has signed directly with Ducati for 2027 and will have a factory-spec bike at VR46. Aldeguer will also receive official machinery. That does not guarantee an easy transition to MotoGP aerodynamics, carbon brakes or race-weekend rhythm, but it gives Bulega a rare rookie baseline as the technical hierarchy resets.