Following the exceptional season he is currently having in Moto2, Morbidelli will be propelled to the top by joining the MotoGP category next year. However, he will not change teams and will remain loyal to Team VDS Estrella Galicia of Marc van der Straten and Michael Bartholémy.
Franco gave a very interesting interview to Neil Morrison of crash.net, of which here are some extracts. We encourage you to read this entire long interview.
“My father was a pilot in Italy and he raced all his life, explains Franco. When he stopped, he opened a workshop. Also, when I grew up, I was in his studio. I grew up around his motorcycles and his races. I have always been in the racing environment. It’s what I know best in life and it’s been a part of my life since I was a little kid.
You stand out from the other VR46 Academy riders, in that you came to Moto2 via the Superstock 600 category, rather than via Moto3. For what ?
“Let’s look at it this way: VR46 Academy was born after I started my international racing career. VR46 started helping me later in my career, when I was already doing the European Championship in Superstock 600. I was doing it mainly because I didn't have money to do anything else.
“Luckily Team Italia helped me race that year. I was very lucky to race anyway, so I raced in the European Championship. Then, during this year, VR46 started following me from a management point of view. They found good opportunities for me directly in the Moto2 World Championship. It was good luck for me.
When you were younger, you traveled to Tavullia, the hometown of Valentino Rossi. Was it precisely to make Valentino aware of your talents?
“Well, my father was friends with Valentino’s father, they knew each other. My father, as I said, used to race and, when he was racing, he did it with a team from Pesaro. I was born in Rome. I grew up and then lived until I was ten years old in Rome.
“Then we decided that motorcycle sport would be what I wanted to do for a living. My father had experience of the Adriatic Riviera region. He knew it was the best region in Italy where a driver could grow and express himself. So he decided to move there and connect with the people who followed him when he was a runner.
“So he decided to give me the same environment as when he was a runner. That's what we did, and Vale was there. My dad asked his dad if I could train with him at his track. Then we started training together and here we are!
Are you surprised at how the championship this year went? During the pre-season, did you expect Luthi to be your main challenger?
“No, I expected more people to fight for the championship this year, like at least me, Alex Marquez, Miguel Oliveira and Tom. And also Lorenzo Baldassarri. Everyone expected Baldassarri but for some reason he didn't have a good first game of the league, so he's a bit far behind now.
“There are two of us: me and Tom. I'm in a moment where I need to stay focused and move forward. I was hoping I could get to this point in the championship and still be fighting. I'm there and I'm going to continue.
Is it a little frustrating that you've been so dominant in the championship, winning eight times, but Tom is still so close?
" No, this is not the case. It's like that. I think I showed that I have speed and that I can win races. Tom showed that he also has speed in the race and he is consistent, he is consistent. I think it's nice.
“We have two completely different philosophies of racing, but we are both on top. They are two drivers, but also two states of mind, two moments in life, because he is also a little older than me. Also, two ways to race, to fight together. I think it will be nice.
Do you share a good relationship with Tom?
“Yes, Tom Lüthi is a wonderful person. He is an excellent pilot. I used to cheer him on when I watched the races, you know? I remember my first year when I came here in Moto2, he was really, really nice to me. I really love him and always have. Now it's a good thing to fight for the championship with him. I feel good. »
Photos © Marc VDS Racing
Source: crash.net
