Franco Morbidelli's season in MotoGP this year was unique in that it was more played out behind the scenes than on the track. Trapped in the Yamaha clan by systematically playing in a setback which condemned him to never having the M1 of the moment in the factory structure, it took a Maverick Viñales to overturn the table for the Italian-Brazilian to enter the good orbit. An opportunity that came to him while he was recovering from a delicate operation on a worn-out knee. Having settled in, he is now getting his bearings and he will only be held accountable in 2022. However, he knows that at Yamaha, the atmosphere is currently a little tense...
Franco Morbidelli found fabio quartararo as a teammate in a box Yamaha . But things have still fundamentally changed since the Petronas era since the Frenchman is now a World Champion. A title brought down to his wrist strength alone, the kind of feat that cannot be repeated every year, especially against competition Ducati progress that is as constant as it is efficient. So he wants to move the lines at Yamaha , by demanding firepower that would allow it, at least, to stand up to the missiles coming out of an arsenal in Borgo Panigale which will have eight warheads in 2022.
The debate is thus open in Iwata's clan. Andrea Dovizioso follows the Frenchman in the need to accelerate the development of the M1, but he directs the engineers towards the grip of the rear tire. Franco Morbidelli is at the crossroads of these exchanges and opinions and this is what he says: “ When you're behind and you see this consistent performance from your opponents, it's normal to be a little worried ". A sentence that says it all: Yamaha is so late that there is cause for concern in the face of Ducati.
Franco Morbidelli: “ the important thing is to have a good understanding of what we need«
The former Moto2 World Champion continues: “ the important thing now is to have a good understanding of what we need to improve our performance and get back into shape. I don't have much space in my head, I'm busy trying to figure out what I need for next year, despite my current state ". Because Morbidely has its own concerns: In winter I will be mainly busy with rehabilitation, this will be my main job. I will try to regain full mobility in the knee, and there should be no problem ».
And at Yamaha ? To listen Maio Meregalli, the concern noted above by the pilot of 27 years is likely to continue at the start of the school year MotoGP at Sepang in February: “ the data collected will be used by Yamaha engineers in winter to assemble the motorcycle which will be close to the final 2022 motorcycle and which we will test in Malaysia and Indonesia early next year ».
But the said “ data » concern two different chassis variants, a new fairing and a different swingarm. No mention is made of a new engine and fabio quartararo has already pointed out that what he experienced at Jerez did not in any way convince him to rush to sign a renewal of his lease with Yamaha for the period 2023-2024.
