Valentino Rossi's team seeking 'Italian Marquez' for MotoGP

VR46 rider Romano Fenati has won three of the seven Moto3 races so far this year and is second behind Jack Miller in the world championship. Fenati's team-mate Francesco Bagnaia has also challenged for podiums at several races.

Rossi established VR46 with former Ducati MotoGP team boss Vito Guareschi this season.

"Our target is to help the Italian riders, and we will only work with Italian riders in the future," said Rossi.

"I think we have a lot of good riders in Italy that we have to help, but to find another Marc Marquez is not easy.

"Nevertheless, we have to make the most of what we have and I think that Romano can fight for wins and the championship."

Rossi said he was delighted with how quickly VR46 had achieved success, and said 18-year-old Fenati had to take a great deal of credit.

"I'm very, very proud of and happy for the team," he said.

"We were very lucky to find Fenati, because this year he has created a fantastic atmosphere within the team.

"It has made a big difference, as we have already won three races."

Fenati took a dominant Moto3 win at a wet Jerez in 2012 in only his second start at world championship level, but then endured a long fallow period before being picked up by Rossi's squad.