MotoGP hits the midway point of its season this weekend, and the timing couldn’t be better for Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. Fresh off an energizing World Ducati Week in Misano, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli arrive in Germany ready to close out the first half in style.
VR46 Heads to Sachsenring Chasing Championship Momentum
Di Giannantonio sits third in the standings with 177 points, just 16 points behind championship leader Jorge Martin. Therefore, his consistency throughout the opening rounds could prove decisive this weekend. He previously scored a fourth-place finish at Sachsenring in Moto2 back in 2021 and matched that result in last year’s Sprint race.
Morbidelli, meanwhile, wants to build on the promising pace he showed two weeks ago in Assen. He won at Sachsenring in Moto2 back in 2017, and his best MotoGP result there came in 2024 with a fifth-place finish. However, last year’s round didn’t go his way. A Sprint crash forced him out of Sunday’s race entirely, and he’s determined to make amends this time around.
The team hits the track Friday for free practice. Qualifying follows Saturday at 10:50 local time, with the Sprint race starting at 15:00. The German GP concludes the weekend on Sunday at 14:00 local time.
Riders Ready to Finish Strong
Di Giannantonio described Sachsenring as a track he genuinely enjoys, noting his lap record set there in free practice last year. He acknowledged the strength of his rivals but remained confident in his team’s ability to compete at the front. Despite sitting third in the championship, he stressed the importance of staying grounded with plenty of races still remaining.
Morbidelli echoed that energy, crediting the fans’ passion in Misano for fueling his motivation heading into Germany. He pointed to his past success at Sachsenring as a source of confidence, while also highlighting direct Q2 qualification as a key target. He added that Assen’s encouraging pace gives the team something solid to build on.
With the summer break looming, Sachsenring offers both riders one final chance to make a statement before the paddock takes its pause.
