VR46 SAYS BULEGA’S PIRELLI EXPERIENCE IS NO MAJOR EDGE

VR46 team boss Uccio Salucci has rejected the suggestion that Nicolo Bulega’s experience with Pirelli tyres was the main reason the team signed him for MotoGP’s 2027 season. Bulega, the newly crowned World Superbike champion, has played a major role in Ducati’s testing programme for the 850cc machines being developed for the next regulations cycle. That work has made him the most experienced rider currently contracted for 2027 on the new tyres.

KTM test rider Pol Espargaro has suggested Bulega could “smash everyone” at the opening round because of that head start. Salucci acknowledged the experience could help, but argued it should not be overstated. Speaking to Sky Italy, he said people tell him: “You only hired Bulega because he already knows Pirelli tyres.” He added that current MotoGP riders would need “maybe two hours” to get to grips with the tyres. “It’s certainly not a disadvantage for him, but it’s not an excessively large advantage either,” Salucci said.

Bulega is signed directly to VR46, unlike team-mate Fermin Aldeguer, whose contract is with Ducati and gives him factory status. That distinction could affect how quickly the two riders receive updates. Ducati plans to begin the season with all its riders on the same bike specification, but the scale of the 2027 technical changes may make it harder for satellite teams to get new parts as the year progresses.

Salucci said Ducati is willing to keep Bulega’s machine current if his results justify it. “If we perform well and deserve it, we'll receive updates,” he said. The team wants to assess the opening five or six races before judging how support will develop, adding that both VR46 and Ducati are open to the possibility of upgrades.

However, Salucci is concerned that the difference between factory and satellite machinery could grow. He said he had already seen a series of updates and was unsure whether the gap would be small at the start. “That's why I fear the difference between the factory and non-factory bikes will be significant next year, especially from mid-season onwards.”