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Franco Morbidelli Optimistic About 2025 Season with VR46 Racing Team

Franco Morbidelli, the VR46 rider, expressed confidence that competing on a year-old Ducati in the forthcoming 2025 MotoGP season could actually be advantageous for him. Despite a challenging past season, Morbidelli is eager to leverage his experiences and the familiarity of his bike.

Last year, following his move to Pramac, Morbidelli had the opportunity to ride a top-performing Ducati Desmosedici, similar to those of notable competitors like Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. However, he faced significant challenges after a serious training accident in Portimao that caused him to miss crucial pre-season testing. This left him with limited track time prior to the initial races of the season, marking a significant shift after spending the prior five years racing Yamaha motorcycles.

Morbidelli’s performance in the standings ended in ninth place, positioning him sixth among the eight Ducati riders—a result that fell below both his and his team’s expectations, especially in light of his former teammate Martin’s championship victory with the same bike.

With concerns regarding his future in the championship lingering ahead of the 2024 season, Morbidelli found reassurance when his mentor, Valentino Rossi, decided to sign him for the 2025 season. While teammate Fabio di Giannantonio will pilot the latest Ducati GP25, Morbidelli will race on last year’s GP24 model.

The Italian racer is optimistic that utilizing a previous model could work to his advantage as he seeks to return to his top form. “For someone like me, who has always found it too difficult to adapt to new things, keeping the same package as last year is a positive aspect,” Morbidelli articulated at the VR46 presentation this past weekend. He feels that by sticking with what he knows, he will face fewer uncertainties compared to his competitors as the new season begins.

He acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “I say small advantage because we are talking about winning again: if I want to improve my results from last year, I have to fight for podiums and victories.”

Morbidelli also addressed the logistical changes Ducati is making, reducing its fleet from eight to six bikes for the upcoming season. He dismissed concerns that this would significantly impact him, asserting, “For me, it’s not going to make a big difference whether Ducati has six or eight bikes.” His focus remains firmly on competing for top positions rather than settling for mid-field finishes.

Beginning Monday, Morbidelli will participate in a training camp in Indonesia alongside members of Rossi’s academy, featuring several track sessions at the Mandalika circuit. With this preparation, he aims to seize the coming season as an opportunity for resurgence and competitive success.

Source
www.autosport.com