Mahindra wild-card Stefano Manzi will join Pecco Bagnaia at the Valentino Rossi-backed Sky VR46 Racing Team in the Moto2 World Championship next season, it has been confirmed.
The Italian made his Grand Prix debut last year with Team Italia in the Moto3 World Championship, though failed to produce any world-altering results on his Mahindra. Manzi made several wild-card appearances this season, including at the British Grand Prix where he deeply impressed.
Coming from 34th on the grid at Silverstone, the lanky Italian charged his way through the order to only just miss out on a maiden rostrum in fourth place. It was greatly expected that Manzi would make a full-time return to Grand Prix racing next season as a result.
“I am very happy to start this adventure in Moto2 with Sky Racing Team VR46,” the Italian said.
“Thanks to Mahindra I was able to show my potential. Just a month ago, I have joined the VR46 Riders Academy and now have the opportunity to continue my growth path in one of the top teams of the championship.
“I’m really pleased to race in a new category, which probably is better suited on my styles. I expect a lot of work to do, but I cannot wait to get on track with my new bikes.”
The VR46 squad announced earlier in the season that they would be making the step up to the intermediate class next season, though it was originally meant to be a one-bike effort for Romano Fenati. However, during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Fenati was sacked for disorderly conduct within the team forcing team manager Pablo Nieto to look elsewhere.
The team will continue to contest the Moto3 World Championship next season, but will scale back to a two-rider team running Nicolo Bulega and Andrea Migno.
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