Franco Morbidelli is last season's vice-world champion who had a year in 2021, most of which was played out more behind the scenes than on the track. Fortunately for him moreover because between a Yamaha dating from 2019 within the satellite team with sources now dried up and a knee injury which had to be operated on, the situation of the Italian-Brazilian included concerns that the departure of Maverick Viñales lifted. A redistribution of the cards in the Yamaha clan which put him back in a game where his turn until then always arrived in an inopportunely shifted manner. He now has everything he needs and in the right place to reveal himself. He even has the teammate for it, since he is the World Champion…
The principle is known to everyone: the main opponent in a box bringing together two drivers is the teammate. fabio quartararo Even if he is a good person, affable, correct above all suspicion and consensual in his speech, he will not escape the rule. Among competitors, Marc Marquez et Pecco Bagnaia have already given him an appointment for a revenge in 2022. But next to him, in the shadows, Franco Morbidelli, the other official driver Yamaha , sharpens his weapons at the same time as he solidifies his operated knee which is still convalescing.
First, the 2 Moto2017 World Champion is delighted that fortune has finally smiled on him to join the factory team Yamaha . On the Journal of Sport, he acknowledges having closely followed the crisis between the Iwata manufacturer and Maverick Vinales : " the more I saw the story between Yamaha and Viñales fade away, the more I saw mine light up. I was a little sorry for the image of our sport, but I sincerely hoped that a door would open for me.” And she opened up, which allowed her to realize a dream: “I particularly like the nature of this bike. It only gets strong if you ride it extremely hard. I wanted the same colors that Valentino wore for so many years and finally this year I made that dream come true ».
Yes but it also happens in a structure where Fabio Quartararo put his paw there. The Frenchman, after a breathtaking season, has exhausted Casa Particular in Viñales and conquered souls and hearts in Iwata. He is no longer the teammate of Petronas' recent era. Especially since he is now World Champion. It will be necessary to Morbidely get out of the shadow cast on the second part of the box Yamaha by the brilliance of the tricolor.
Franco Morbidelli on Quartararo: “We are not the best friends but neither are we the worst enemies”
Besides, the affable Morbidely make no mistake. In all frankness, he announces the color: “ the celebration of his title? I'm very happy for him and for the team, but when a teammate wins the title you never appreciate it, it's something you can experience with more or less transportation, but enjoying it is another thing ».
He even adds: “ we're not friends, but there's a lot of respect between us, and we see that he's a really great guy ". And next year? “ It will be a magnificent fight with Quartararo, Bagnaia, Marquez, who is back, and I hope to be there too. I'm happy for him and the team, but I stay focused on myself hoping to disturb him one day ».
« Knowing Fabio, I think we will be able to move forward as calmly as possible. It remains to be seen whether we will be direct adversaries. I'm not getting the best results yet. We are not the best friends but neither are we the worst enemies » he finishes.
