The challenge for Franco Morbidelli in this Austrian Grand Prix – and if it is not done, for the following ones until the end – is to show that he is still one of the men of the situation in MotoGP, and thus find a handlebar for 2024. He has known since Silverstone that he will no longer be an official Yamaha rider at the end of this year, and his results since a 2020 vintage where he finished as vice-world champion are not kind to seduce. There was a fourth place at the last Argentine Grand Prix, but since then, not much, except the fact that he no longer drives very far from his teammate Fabio Quartararo. But in this case, it was rather the latter who joined him in the second part of the peloton. SO ? So he thinks he deserves his place as much as Marc Marquez…
This is an analysis that will undoubtedly be a landmark in the paddock and therefore deserves attention. It is that of Franco Morbidelli who wants to convince that his situation is more cyclical than dramatic. With comparisons which imply that even the greatest have hit the low point and that he is therefore a good deal on the market in these circumstances.
Speaking on GP One, he was asked if he was still worried about his future. And this is what he first replied: “ I am always optimistic… I remind you that I am half Brazilian! ". But above all he is Italian, member of the VR46 academy… “ We are working to make sure I can race next year, and maybe even the ones after » he explains. “ I'm sure I can still give as much to the team I race for, to my friends and family ».
Franco Morbidelli: “ I want to give myself other chances to fight for the world championship »
A momentum that makes him gain altitude: “ I want to give myself other chances to fight for the world championship, that's what I want the most at this time in my life. Let's continue this momentum, VR46 and Gianluca Falcioni, the manager of Valentino Rossi's structure help me a lot. Then we'll see where I'm going ».
Then he adds: “ everything is possible. Marquez did 3 races a year and he is still in MotoGP, and there are other examples ». Franco Morbidelli developed : " the examples are numerous: mine, that of Mir. The one from Quarterly. The one from Marc Marquez. I am vice-world champion, but there are also world champions and several world champions who do this “flip”. The reason ? MotoGP is fierce ».
« The sport still continues, the technology is increasing, the tires are improving, there are front and rear level correctors, the category is much more competitive. In the past the factory teams fought for all the victories, since the arrival of Michelin and the introduction of the single ECU there have been more and more different winners and ever since the category has become more and more compact » mentions the Italian-Brazilian again.
Then he ends his demonstration thus: “ we have seen that in recent years there has always been lots of redistribution of cards, values in the field change a lot. In my opinion, the level is so high that when he lacks a little faith, or some other little thing, then you go from up there to a little down, or quite down ».
