Younger brother of MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, Luca Marini will be racing in the MotoGP paddock next season with Forward Racing.

Moving up from CEV Repsol Moto2 where he finished in fifth overall this season, Marini is the latest member to sign to the VR46 Riders Academy and has signed a ‘multi-year contract’ with the Italian team.

Debuting in the world championship back in 2013 at his home track of Misano aboard a Moto3 the 18 year old failed to make it past the first corner and even past his and his half-brothers fan club. Marini then entered the Moto2 world championship round at Misano this season, finishing in 21st position with the Pons Racing Junior Team.

Joining Lorenzo Baldassari on the 2016 Kalex, the Forward Racing Moto2 team now houses two riders from the VR46 Riders Academy and will hope to make an impact on the Spanish domination we have seen in the intermediate class. 

Marini expresses his happiness to be in the GP paddock full time: “I am happy and at the same time excited for this great opportunity! Next season will be very important and demanding. Going to Forward Racing is a great opportunity for me to grow and learn from the team and from my teammate: I want to exploit this to the fullest! I want to thank Giovanni and the VR46 Riders Academy for this opportunity and I hope to repay their trust in me with my work.”