Let's Talk MotoGP: 1414 Days in Hell

Fifteen days is a long time between two Grands Prix. Imagine 1414 days of misery for a MotoGP rider. In Argentina, Franco Morbidelli returned to the podium, four years after his last appearance on the box. I realize he's not very popular in France, but that won't stop me from paying tribute to him, because he fully deserves it, perhaps more than anyone else on the grid.

 

The descent into Hell

 

Before I begin, I want to say that I have no particular affinity with this driver, as is the case, for example, with his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio. But I always found people quite unfair with "Franky", particularly because of its connection with Valentino Rossi and the VR46 Academy – which we will talk about again.

To truly appreciate his achievement, it's essential to look back at the terrible period he experienced between 2021 and 2024. Following a very impressive Moto2 title, Morbidelli joined the premier class in early 2018, riding an underperforming Honda. He was recruited by Yamaha Petronas-SRT in 2019, the team with which he finished runner-up in the 2020 world championship. It was promising, yes, but not transcendent either.. Still, he took three victories in this truncated season.

 

 

The year 2021 started in the best possible way, with a fourth place in Portimao followed by a podium in Jerez. Then came the first serious injury, to the kneeThe results gradually became disastrous, leading to an absence of more than a month. Now an official Yamaha rider due to the ousting of Maverick Vinales, it was impossible for him to find speed on the factory YZR-M1.

And it continued in 2022. Morbidelli, 19th in the general classification, was powerlessThe comparison with his teammate, reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo, was striking. In fact, I clearly remember some rather derogatory comments from the Frenchman towards him, complaining that he was the only one moving the team forward. Looking back, it seems to me that I had described his 2022 campaign as "worst exercise for a factory driver in the 21st century" – based mainly on statistics – but comparing it with Joan Mir's in 2024, he has nothing to be ashamed of. And yet, the Spaniard, objectively less good last year, is not as criticized.

 

 

No one has spoken about it – except your humble servant –, but his 2023 year was correct. He was starting to rival Fabio Quartararo in some races, finishing in the points in a few sprints, and was impressively consistent: he finished every Grand Prix. This was already much better, which allowed him to sign with Pramac Racing for 2024.

It made a lot of noise, just like his contract which binds him to Ducati VR46 in 2025. Yes, Morbidelli is probably at an advantage because he's close to Rossi and the academy. I've defended him on this point before and I'll defend it again: the history of motorsports is based on affinities and the privileges that result from them. This is nothing new; it's always existed. Granted, he benefited from Uccio Salucci's trust in mid-2024, when he was being soundly beaten by Jorge Martin. But isn't he the first World Champion to come out of the VR46 Academy? Isn't he a cornerstone of Valentino Rossi's project, which, whatever anyone says, has allowed many youngsters to explode onto the world's biggest stage? Morbidelli is a VR46 veteran, having largely honored his alliance with numerous successes. Why would he refuse the benefits that come with this status?

The term " hell " to describe his situation is allegorical, of course. Despite their salary and their undoubtedly passionate life, I think it is difficult for a Man to be unable to express his talent for such a long period, and, on top of that, to endure incessant criticism sometimes coming from his own garage! Not to mention the physical injuries, which, for some, will never completely heal. Many, as children, dreamed of being pilots MotoGPBut how many dreamed of being a Morbidelli?

 

 

A revenge

 

This podium in Argentina was logical and deserved. After suffering another major injury midway through the 2024 season, he was only able to get his GP24 under control at the end of last year. where he had become a good pilot. His Thailand Grand Prix was also convincing; which allows him to point in fourth position in the general classification before arriving in the USA.

Uccio Salucci spoke at length on this podium, the first since that famous 2021 Spanish Grand Prix. For him, it's like a revenge, even a vengeance. In his words, he mentioned the Yamaha years and the "Massacre" that he had suffered ; which shows that the lexical field chosen by me is no less serious than the reality observed by a team director.

So I'm very happy that he's back on the podium, because, despite his propensity to hinder others during their fast laps, Morbidelli seems like a good guy – even though I don't know him personally, of course. In any case, he did nothing that would prevent me from congratulating him on this exemplary performance.

What do you think of Franco Morbidelli's return to business? Tell me in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport