It could be tough for the 2026 MotoGP season as Franco Morbidelli enters the Desmosedici GP25.
The Italian rode the best bike in MotoGP history at GP24 in 2024, winning 16 of 20 races. Morbidly He did not win against Pramak or the machine VR46 In the year 2025
Prove me wrong: Franco Morbidelli’s reputation for crashes is worse than reality.
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He finished seventh, 17 points ahead of rookie Fermin Aldeguer, who claimed victory in Indonesia. Valentino Rossi chose to keep Morbidelli for 2026But he is pressured to act.
Rossi rejected the factory bike for Morbidelli Retaining the factory slot VR46 for teammate Fabio Di Gianntononio this season. It means the 31-year-old will drop down to GP25 in 2026, a bike that has caused problems for everyone except Marc Marquez.
Franco Morbidelli He said he is ‘not worried’ about driving the GP25 in 2026
Although there are a few differences from the GP24, it is widely accepted that the GP25 is descended from its predecessor. Francesco Bagnaia exploded his bike Struggled with braking and a lack of feel in corners all season.
Di Giannantonio has had the same problems as Bagnaia.He found it difficult to be consistent on the machine. Meanwhile, Marquez won 11 Grands Prix and 14 Sprint victories en route to the title, riding around the issue.
Morbidelli disagrees with Bagnaia about GP25.There is no visible difference between the bike and the GP24. It explains why he is excited to enter the 2025 Desmosedici in 2026.
Speaking at a Q&A session at the launch of the VR46 Group, at Moto ITasked Morbidelli if he was ‘worried’ about driving. Bagania 2025 bicycle. He replied: “I’m not worried because it’s a fantastic bike.
“It’s a bike that’s won practically every race, practically every race in the last year or so, and then he’s had some good results with the Digia, the Peco. So I’m excited to get on it and see and feel the differences.”
Read more: Everything you need to know about Franco Morbidelli from net worth to career statistics
Will Franco Morbidelli stay at VR46 in 2026?
It was made clear by Rossi that Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli must improve their performance in 2026.
Rossi wants the VR46 to win races in 2026 After finishing behind Gresini in the standings last year. It will be crucial for the Italians to fight at the front, especially before the start of the MotoGP rider market season.
VR46 meets Pedro Acosta. Much to KTM’s frustration as it tried for months to sign him in 2025. The Spaniard remains on the team’s radar, putting pressure on the current rider.
Although he previously said that signing Acosta was his ‘dream’ Pablo Nieto says Diggia and Morbidelli are his priorities. In 2027 VR46 seems to be interested in keeping their drivers, but they have to show that they are worth keeping.
