Franco Morbidelli will be the number-two rider at the VR46 team this season. His team-mate Fabio Di Giannantonio will have the exclusive privilege of the 2025 Ducati.
Morbidelli transferred from Pramac, who partnered reigning world champion George Martin. Despite riding the latest machinery, he wasn’t a factor in the title fight.
In fact, the Italian eventually finished ninth in the championship, 335 points clear of his teammate. That denied Pramac the chance to retain their team’s title.
Morbidelli was beaten not only by Gresini duo Marc and Alex Marquez, but also by KTM’s Brad Binder, Tech3’s Pedro Acosta and Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales. Pramak switches to Yamaha and offers new colors this season, but retains the same bike.
However, there were some reasons for encouragement in the second half of the season. Between the Aragon GP and the Barcelona final, he had five top-six finishes in nine races.
Franco Morbidelli admits that it will take a long time to get used to the new MotoGP bikes
Saturday VR46 In the year It has become the latest group to announce their 2025 goal. They followed the Ducati factory team that removed the covers on Monday.
In the run-up to the launch, Morbidelli was asked if it was an advantage to have the same bike. Indeed, he began to look more comfortable towards the end of the campaign.
Perhaps wary of adding more pressure, the 29-year-old didn’t rule either way. But he admits that specific changes have consistently unsettled him in the past.
In the year He indicated that he rode the 2019 Yamaha SRT in the 2020 season and finished runner-up behind Joan Mir. That remains his best premiere episode to date.
“I don’t know if it’s an advantage or a disadvantage, because every year is always different,” he said. GPON. “I’ve definitely always struggled in my career to adapt to new things, it’s always taken me a long time, so it’s nice to have the same package.”
Valentino Rossi has set his sights on a new rider for the VR46.
Morbidelli may be a product of this. Valentino Rossi But Academy knows it has to deliver this year. Having only signed a one-year contract, the seat is at risk.
Indeed, Rossi has already spoken with Pedro Acosta. Spaniard Marc Marquez will not join the factory Ducati team after joining Francesco Bagnaia.
But a spot on the VR46 on a season-specific bike would be the next best thing. And Acosta may be available soon. Amidst KTM’s financial crisis, Morbidelli increases risk.
