VR46 towards Austin
MotoGP returns to action this weekend for the United States Grand Prix, the first back-to-back appointment of the 2026 season: the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team arrives in Austin with very positive feelings, also thanks to the double podium – Sprint and race – of Fabio Di Giannantonio in Brazil. The American appointment will be even more special for the Tavullia team, which will take to the track on Sunday with a special livery, dedicated to the history of the team and presented on Tuesday at the Edge of Hudson Yards in New York.
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In the suggestive setting of the ‘Big Apple’, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli fully embraced the American style: it started at the Edge of Hudson Park, where the livery for the United States Grand Prix was unveiled with Manhattan as the backdrop. This historic event marked the beginning of a true American day: the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team drivers walked through New York City, stopping at Joe’s Pizza and visiting the iconic NYSE. The day concluded with their presence in the front row at the NBA game between New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans.
Di Giannantonio arrives in the United States with great motivation, strong from the excellent results in Brazil, where he came close to victory by securing the podium in both races. The Austin circuit is among Fabio’s favorites, where he reached the third step of the podium last season – with a special NFL livery – after securing the front row in qualifying. The Roman driver, who at the Circuit of the Americas achieved third place in 2017 (Moto3) and second in 2021 (Moto2), arrives at the third appointment of the season in fourth position in the general standings with 21 points.
Morbidelli eagerly awaits the United States Grand Prix, where he will want to maximize his potential after the difficulties of the first two races. Franco is ready to navigate the curves of Austin, where he won in 2017 (in Moto2) with the goal of achieving his first podium in the premier class on this track. The Italian-Brazilian driver arrives at the Circuit of the Americas in tenth position in the general standings with 8 points.
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The drivers’ words
Fabio Di Giannantonio: “Austin is one of my favorite tracks, the United States Grand Prix is among those I love most on the calendar. Both the track and the atmosphere are fantastic. I can’t wait to be in Austin, where we expect to experience another spectacular weekend like the one in Brazil. After the double podium in Goiânia, we arrive in the United States with great motivation also for this special livery, which is beautiful and full of colors. We spent a historic and wonderful day in New York, with the livery presentation at the Edge of Hudson Yards, visiting the NYSE and attending the NBA game. We are really very charged up“.
Franco Morbidelli: “I am very happy to return to the track immediately and to do so in Austin, a very beautiful circuit. I still carry with me the energy of the Brazilian crowd, which motivated me and gave me a lot of drive. Furthermore, for the United States Grand Prix we will have a special livery designed again by Aldo Drudi and presented in New York. A historic event that only this team could organize. The day was then fantastic, and it was my first time in the Big Apple. Now we are really ready and motivated to face the weekend at the Circuit of the Americas“.
