With Fermin Aldeguer injured, Franco Morbidelli found himself the sole representative of the Ducati "satellite" team on track at Sepang, facing the factory GP26s. Normally, satellite teams ride the previous year's factory bike. In theory, Morbidelli and Aldeguer should therefore have had a GP25…
But here's the problem: while the GP25 has sublimely Marc MarquezShe destabilized Francis Bagnaia…and the teammate VR46 by Morbidelli, Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Hence a simple question: why not return to the more versatile GP24 for the final 1000cc season?
The chief engineer Matthew Flamigni had blurted out this winter: Franco will keep last year's motorcycle. » VR46 then tempered expectations: There's no point in talking about figures, this will be the best non-factory model »
Then Morbidely deepened the mystery: I wouldn't call my motorcycle a GP25. I don't know who told you I was using a GP25. »
And when asked if it's a GP24 ? " As I said the other day, It's a mix of the elements that all Ducati riders preferred.. »
And he adds, almost ironically: I don't know if it's correct to call it GP25, GP26, GP24.2, GP24.9, or something else.The message is clear: this is not a “pure” GP25.
Ducati listened to its riders
Morbidely insist on crash.net : " Ducati is such a high-performing manufacturer that it can provide riders with everything they want. So don't think that my bike is… the motorcycle that Pecco didn't like last year »
In other words : Ducati picked from what worked best, probably elements GP24 combined with certain developments.
Seventh in the combined standings, second best time on day 2: Morbidely showed speed. If I had to give you my impression, I would say that I was actually faster than during last year's race weekend.. »
« We worked very hard… I think we resolved our basic problems well.He does, however, admit: The gap compared to Alex is still a bit too large, four and a half tenths » The benchmark is definitely Alex Marquez.
With the switch to 850cc in 2027, Ducati seems to have chosen safety: consolidating proven foundations rather than forcing a risky evolution. MorbidelyHe, however, seems serene: The speed is good and, more importantly, the sensations are good. »
The final dress rehearsal will take place at Buriram on February 21st and 22ndIt remains to be seen whether this “GP24.9” is a simple compromise… or the real solution that bagnaia wish I'd had last year.
