Let's talk MotoGP: Franco Morbidelli, a signing that is debated

“It doesn't seem fair to me that we don't give younger people a chance. » It is with these murderous words that Aleix Espargaro described Franco Morbidelli's situation in MotoGP. The words are harsh, it's true, but they resonate in the paddock as well as with the spectators who do not understand this new signing. Once again, Morbidelli lands on his feet, and will ride for Ducati VR46 next year. Is there anything to cause a scandal? Is it undeserved? An analysis is required.

The question is extremely delicate, like everything relating to merit. This notion is so abstract and hurtful, because it is based on a so-called objective basis, as if someone decides whether we deserve it or not. I will try to do the best. First, let's analyze this transfer from Franco Morbidelli's point of view, and then we will come back to what Ducati VR46 can gain from it.

More and more convincing

 

For him, it's a godsend. There is no doubt, the Italian bounces back once again, in a perfectly oiled team made up of people he knows like the back of his hand. His situation in the championship does not really explain this transfer, because he is currently in difficulty given the equipment he benefits from. Please note: I'm not saying it's bad., because it remains a good driver that is too often underrated in my opinion. Exactly, we must put things into perspective. Lately, he has been coming back well, and was also very good in Austria after this clash at the start. In Germany he had also been attractive. In short, he is performing decently, especially for a man who missed the entire pre-season due to a serious injury. He is currently 12th in the championship, tied perfectly with Marco Bezzecchi. It's not bad. Besides, I mentioned it as a “good surprise” at the end of the 2023 season., because he had not been ridiculous in comparison to his teammate Fabio Quartararo.

 

 

Signing with VR46 should allow him to maintain a good level of performance, even aboard the Desmosedici GP24 which will be a year old. Clearly, he had no reason to refuse, and must take advantage of such an opportunity that presents itself, meritorious or not – we will return to this later. In any case, it is not illegitimate.

 

A cutting-edge team

 

Ducati VR46 has been chosen by the Italian brand as a future “sister team”, even having a 2025 model for Fabio Di Giannantonio. Thus, it will in fact become the second most powerful team in the field behind the factory Ducati team, instead of Pramac Racing. Seeing the situation from this angle, we easily understand that this does not represent a drastic improvement in his situation. Therefore, it is impossible to cry scandal as Aleix Espargaro did, who already didn't like "Franky" very much before we even handed him a microphone.

Now, was this a relevant choice on the part of Rossi and his men? Let's say that it was not illogical, but that it is a fairly safe investment with limited potential. Let me explain. Contrary to what some people say, Morbidelli is not on the street. He is very consistent in his performance, rarely falls, has good racing rhythms. It's not one of the best, but it gets the job done, and that was already the case at Yamaha in 2023 – yes, I assure you.

 

 

That said, I find its ceiling quite limited. Could he do better than his year 2020 when he finished vice-world champion? After so many injuries, I can't believe it, especially since he wasn't actually that impressive. Its position in the championship had also been determined by the fairly low level of this season.

 

Is it deserved?

 

Now comes the fateful question. Honestly, I find this signing much more logical than the one that sent him to Pramac Racing. He was perhaps not the best available, certainly, but undoubtedly the best Italian. Celestino Vietti, VR46 rider in Moto2, represents somewhat the last hope of the Academy since the defection of the team from the above-mentioned category. But despite his position with Ajo in the intermediate class – and his victory at Spielberg, he hardly convinces.

 

 

Unlike others, I think Ducati VR46 is right to bet on Italians only, as this has always been the team's philosophy, since their days in Moto3. Morbidelli, moreover, was the first VR46 world champion after his Moto2 coronation in 2017. Nothing wrong with him being taken now, especially since his results, if they are light years from those of Jorge Martin, are not totally derisory.

Regarding the “piston” and the weight of Valentino Rossi’s Academy – because that’s what the critics are talking about – I don’t see any scandal. Morbidelli certainly wouldn't have been taken to Pramac if he didn't have this network, granted, but others before Rossi did everything to get drivers from their country to break through. As a reminder, Jorge Martinez's team "Aspar", one of the best in history in Grand Prix, has always done its utmost to nurture Spanish talent, and this is still the case. And for now, this transfer to Ducati VR46 should not fall under the scope of these discussions because there is nothing abnormal stricto sensu, while some might have felt wronged when he moved to Pramac. In my opinion, very subjectively but given the context, he doesn't take anyone's place.

I'm curious to have your opinion on the question in the comments! So, is it deserved?

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport