VR46 rider Franco Morbidelli has drawn the ire of many, including FIM stewards panel chairman Simon Crafar, for his aggressive on-track habits during the 2025 MotoGP season.
On paper, last year was the best season Morbidly He was happy recently. The 31-year-old finished seventh in the riders’ standings in 2025 with 231 points after finishing second in 2020, as well as his best points in MotoGP so far.
Before Morbidelli joined, he had never broken the 200-point barrier before VR46 In the year 2025 and Ducati discontinued the Desmosedici GP24. But the Italian’s 2025 Argentine Grand Prix and third-place finish at the Qatar GP were overshadowed by a recurring incident.
some Fans have called for MotoGP to ban Morbidelli. After colliding with Maverick Vinales and taking out the KTM Tech3 rider during the Italian GP. MotoGP fans are saddened by Morbidelli’s brutal riding style Also in the Catalan sprint after a collision with Aprilia’s Jorge Martin.
Prove me wrong: Franco Morbidelli’s reputation for crashes is worse than reality.
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VR46 tells Simon Crafar ‘don’t worry’ about Franco Morbidelli in 2026
Chairman of the FIM MotoGP stewards panel Krafar in 2010 Discussed with Morbidelli different events in 2025.He also put the Italian in a “special warning” after the Catalan GP round. Morbidelli is at risk of receiving a boarding penalty along with another offence.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Franco Morbidelli from net worth to career statistics
VR46 Team Manager Pablo Nieto He says he has now spoken to Crafar and told him “not to worry” about Morbidelli, as the outfit will have “regular riders” in 2026. Nieto is eager to see the Ducati GP25 he will ride in the new campaign taking advantage of the Romans’ money.
Nieto said, through quotes Motorsport.com“I told Simon Crafar not to worry, we will be a regular team with regular riders. But it’s true that the bikes are a bit aggressive, so we have to enjoy this season.
“It’s going to be very, very difficult. The riders are very confident (and) the bikes are fantastic. (The) Ducati is the best bike in MotoGP at the moment, so we’ve got everything we need to get something important and try.”
Franco Morbidelli cleaning up his act could be crucial to furthering his MotoGP career.
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Morbidelli has rubbed many the wrong way in the MotoGP paddock throughout the 2025 season with his enthusiasm. VR46 will now hope that Italian Aleix Espargaro can learn from the mistakes that marred his campaign towards the end of the grid at Valencia.
The 31-year-old will compete in his ninth season in MotoGP in 2026, and goes into the new campaign with 142 Grand Prix entries under his belt to date. But his reputation was filled with indifference last season Silvan Guintoli called the “dangerous” ways of Morbidelli.
Cleaning up his act might be the best place to start if Morbidelli is going to boost his future in MotoGP. Nito VR46 confirmed that Morbidelli is open to re-sign for 2027He was given a new contract in September for 2026, but most riders are hitting the market.
