If there was any doubt for two seasons in MotoGP about the potential of Franco Morbidelli, the latter was lifted in 2020. His arrival within the Marc VDS team and a Honda had not impressed and his installation on a good Yamaha in the colors of a brand new Petronas team had been disturbed to say the least by the blast effect of the explosion of a young rookie chosen as a teammate: Fabio Quartararo. But the former Moto2 World Champion is resilient. He endured the storm, he folded but he did not break to show this season an image and a character that places him among the drivers to follow in 2021.
Franco Morbidelli He therefore regained his health and built legitimacy. It must be said that he draws inspiration from sacred legends to shape his mind. Of which Valentino Rossi ! We will remind you that the latter will be his teammate next year at Petronas, but their relationship goes back much further and has deep roots, extending well beyond the soil of a paddock.
« I like him as a person and as a driver » admits moreover Morbidely on his illustrious elder who offered him the opportunity to build himself within a VR46 Academy which now boasts three of its students in MotoGP. Morbidely, of course, but also bagnaia and now Luca marini. " I appreciate his advice, as well as his personality. I spent a lot of time with him and tried to learn a lot of things too " explain Franco Morbidelli at Evo India.
Franco Morbidelli also thinks of Senna and Mohammed Ali
« Having Valentino as a teammate is wonderful and I can't wait. He's a great character and driver, which is a great combination. This is also the case for our partners. Petronas brings its expertise in motorcycle sport and improves its products using our knowledge. It's a win-win situation for everyone »Adds Morbidely.
But the latter ends his speech by admitting other references which have shaped his mind: “ there are also other athletes, like Ayrton Senna and even Mohammed Ali. I try to collect important things from them, from their experiences, even from their thoughts ". It will be recalled that Morbidely is also part Brazilian, and that he has already made reference to the late Formula 1 icon during his flawless performance at Aragon...
