The news was surprising but it came directly from a person close to the matter according to the established expression: there would be a small hope for Alex Márquez to join MotoGP by settling behind the handlebars of a Honda from the Marc VDS team. A position that had until then been promised to Franco Morbidelli. But according to the Belgian team manager, the Italian would have had contact with Yamaha. Really ?
Franco Morbidelli is the sought-after driver of the moment. In six Grands Prix, he has won four Moto2 victories and he logically leads his championship. Without crushing him however because he is only thirteen points ahead of a regular and determined Tom Luthi.
But here it is Morbidely that we look at. According to its Marc VDS contract, MotoGP will either be with the troops of the Belgian brewer or not. Unless an official contract breaks the union. A detail which is not one, so that when Michael Bartholemy talks about contacts with Yamaha, the surprise is total… Unless…
We will recall that Morbidely is not alone in leading his boat. He is one of the leading figures of the VR46 Riders Academy. Which means Valentino Rossi and therefore Yamaha. There are four M1s entered in MotoGP. One for Casa Particular in Viñales who does not have to tremble for his status. One for the Doctor who may be retiring in two years. And two at Tech3.
Among the French, we locked the subject during the last two Grands Prix. Johann zarco signed at Le Mans and Jonas Folger did the same in Italy. In view of what advances Michael Bartholemy, perhaps it was time to initial his contract. Because at Tech3, we have already welcomed official Yamaha riders. Remember to Ben Spies, and, more recently, Pol Espargaro...
So what ? Valentino Rossi weighs heavily at Yamaha and it has a VR46 structure engaged in both Moto3 and Moto2. And why not, despite the denials, go all the way to MotoGP with a Yamaha which would be fifth in the field? Fantasy? No doubt but perhaps not entirely Bartholomew, all things considered, since he took the matter seriously enough to throw the ball Alex Marquez in the game of bowling.
We will end, finally, with this promise already given by Carmelo Ezpeleta. The Dorna boss wants a 24-driver grid and he swore that if Valentino Rossi wanted to set up a MotoGP team, he would give him permission to settle down. During this time, Lucio Cecchinello looking for its second pilot. The board is currently at 23 guests…
