Franco Morbidelli was enjoying a good Japanese Grand Prix until mid-race on Sunday. Qualified second ahead of his teammate Fabio Quartararo, he began his event with authority, recovering from a timid start. In the running for third place, he suddenly disappeared from the radar to slip to sixth position. A performance which obviously does not satisfy him…
Worse, Franco Morbidelli was grilled at the end of the game by Cal Crutchlow who managed, with his Honda, to finish his competition at Motegi where he started it: fifth. On arrival, the Italian who is also Brésilien had difficulty hiding a touch of bitterness: “ we check what happened in the race » he explained to Sky Sport. “ Everything went well, but I didn't have the feeling and grip that I had had all weekend. Something special happened unfortunately and we are investigating »
At the start of the race, he had a small skirmish with Jack Miller after doubling it immediately, but nothing sensational. He comments on the episode thus: “ These are things that are done in the race. He was on the limit and, for me, it was smarter to stay calm at this stage of the race rather than attack. But everyone follows their own path. » It will be remembered, however, that the Pramac rider was on full soft against a medium soft compound for the Petronas Yamaha resident.
Morbidely insists, however, that he expected better from this meeting: “ I was strong all weekend. My pace was excellent while riding in a small 46. Then, in the race as soon as I found myself behind Fabio, I knew something was wrong. He accelerated better and I thought he had a different tire. By the halfway point, I was already in rescue mode. Good but not very good. »
Subsequently, the team driver Petronas Yamaha explains the choice of the soft rear tire instead of the medium tire: “ we opted for the soft tire, because it was the one that gave me the most confidence and with which I became stronger, I used it more and it allowed me to be consistent. I think it was the best choice. »
The next meeting will take place next weekend in Australia: “ I love track and have always been pretty good there. I'm in very good shape, I have a bitter-sweet taste from this race and I will have a lot of energy to get through it. »
MotoGP Japan Motegi J2: ranking
