Marc VDS has confirmed that Franco Morbidelli will step up to MotoGP with the team in 2018.
Morbidelli has raced for the squad in Moto2 since 2016 and currently leads the championship in the secondary class, with four wins from the opening seven rounds.
Ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Marc VDS announced that it had extended Morbidelli’s contract, with the 22-year-old to graduate to the premier category next season.
“It's good to have everything sorted so early in the season, as I can now concentrate fully on what I have to do this year in Moto2,” said Morbidelli.
“I'm excited by the thought of MotoGP and I'm happy to be making the step up to the premier class with the team, and with people I know and have worked alongside already.
“It's a big challenge, but it's definitely one that I'm looking forward to.
“But for now my focus is on this year, so thinking about MotoGP will have to wait until after the final Moto2 race of the season in Valencia.”
