MotoGP, Hungary J3, Franco Morbidelli (Ducati/6) best independent rider: "I defended well, but I had to give up a place"

Forced to give up a position with two laps to go, Franco Morbidelli still finished sixth in Hungary.

After a somewhat complicated Grand Prix in Austria the previous weekend, Franco Morbidelli seemed to be back to his best in Hungary. Qualifying easily for Q2 on Friday, he then took fifth place on the grid before finishing on the podium in the sprint race on Saturday. His first since Qatar in April.

On Sunday, the Italian made a very good start, finishing the first lap in second place. He was quickly overtaken by Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta, but held on to fourth place until five laps from the finish, when Jorge Martín and Luca Marini closed in on him.

The Spaniard overtook him when his fellow countryman from the VR46 Academy remained stuck behind him for several laps before attempting an attack during which the two men touched. Morbidely picked up his machine and cut the chicane, and was informed by Race Direction that he had to give up a position to Marini. He then failed to regain it, and finished the race in sixth place.

Although a little disappointed, the Italian still finished as the best independent driver, and above all completed a very positive weekend, which puts him back in a good dynamic for the rest of the season. “It was a difficult race, we expected a different performance with the soft tyre, and I tried to make it last as long as possible, managing it from the start. Unfortunately, I couldn't do it, and I was slower than the guys I was with. In the end, I defended well, but I had to give up a place.”, did he declare.

"In short, overall, it was a good weekend for the team. Yesterday, we found some good speed and we got on the podium in the sprint race. Today, even though I didn't have a good feeling, I was there, so we can be satisfied with this weekend."

Hungarian Grand Prix results

Classification credit: MotoGP.com