Italian–Brazilian Franco Morbidelli, a native of Rome, rose to international prominence by winning the European Superstock 2013 Championship in 600, becoming one of the rare riders to arrive in MotoGP – as Cal Crutchlow et Danilo Petrucci – without going through the small displacement.
He entered directly into Moto2, completing four seasons in this intermediate category, with the title of World Champion in 2017, and 8 victories, totaling 21 podiums and 6 pole positions. He then moved up to MotoGP on a Honda, still within the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS team.
“Francky Morbido” finished fifteenth in the MotoGP World Championship on a Honda in 2018, then tenth last year, this time on a Yamaha from the Petronas Yamaha SRT team with teammate Fabio Quartararo, rookie in 2019.
“The 2019 season was an important lesson, it was maybe the first time I got beaten by my teammate, and believe me, it hurts,” Morbidelli said.
“Having Quartararo as a teammate is a source of pressure, but also a constant motivation to grow. I learned from Fabio his work ethic. »
“Over the winter, I trained harder than ever on the bike, and increased the number of hours in the gym. I also put my life in order, changing small but important habits. I approached winter training in a more focused and determined way. »
“I felt like I entered the 2020 season as a better driver and a better athlete. I have the right state of mind", said Morbidelli on the website of Monster Energy.
“I feel very good on the bike, and I aim to improve. Last year I had some good results, but I want more. My objective ? Ride faster and fight for the podium.
“I am a rider who did not arrive in MotoGP through the normal path of Moto3, like the majority of other riders. On the contrary, I come from the 600 Superstock. »
“Despite this, I managed to win the Moto2 Championship. I had good results in MotoGP, and now I want to do more, I want to improve. I am aware that I am a fast driver, and that I can be even faster. »
“I was one of the first drivers to join Valentino Rossi at the Ranch. I think it was in 2012. There were only ovals at the time and the American's challenges with Valentino, Marco Simoncelli and Mattia Pasini remain epic. Morbidelli said.
“Being part of the VR46 Academy makes me feel more responsible. If a driver like Valentino believed in me, it means he saw something in me that I didn't know. From the moment I understood this, I always tried to push myself to limits that I didn't know I could reach. »
“I learned a lot training at the Ranch with Rossi, from his advice, but also from just watching how he rides. »
“Just think of a child who plays football and trains with Lionel Messi every day! I've known Vale since I was 13. At first I was emotional, then I started to separate the pilot from the friend. I learned a lot from him as a person. »
“From Valentino, the runner, I learned to love what we do, not only on the track during races, but also during training. From man, I learned that simplicity is something that adds value, not the other way around. »
Photos © Petronas Yamaha SRT
