4th at the end of the tests in Malaysia, Franco Morbidelli dropped back to 7th place in the MotoGP test in Thailand.
Being the only driver who already knows the Desmosedici GP24 he is racing this year by heart, Franco Morbidelli has a unique status at Ducati. This allowed him to perform well at Sepang, even if he ultimately had to bow to Alex Marquez which has adapted remarkably to the said mount.
3rd on the first day of testing in Buriram, the Italian similarly dropped back on the last day to end the off-season in 7th position, once again surpassed by a Alex Marquez particularly fast at the start of the year.
However, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider improved his pace in the race (with a race simulation) and during the time attack on the last day of testing in Thailand, before the season itself begins with the GP of the same name, from February 28 to March 2.
A lot of work has been done in the box for the last day of winter testing, with good feelings for Franco Morbidelli, 6th this morning and 16th this afternoon. Franky » completed 67 laps, including the best in 1'29.454, faster than the first day and faster than his 2024 qualification (1'29.736) but six tenths off the best time of the day.
Feelings are still generally positive for the driver at the end of the last day of testing at the Chang International Circuit, while Fabio Di Giannantonio continues his convalescence in Italy in order to return to the track for the Thailand GP.
Franco Morbidelli : “I am very happy with this pre-season, it has been incredible. The team is working incredibly well, and the team and I connected very quickly, we worked in the most focused way possible. Today we worked on the set-up, trying to improve something more to prepare for the race weekend. We had a positive race simulation, and we were able to collect some interesting data. We still have to improve to catch up with Marc, especially in the attack on the clock. It seems like there is a big strong group behind Marc on this track. But a lot can still change during the race weekend. I am very satisfied with the work of the team. The performance was promising from the beginning, I am happy with what we are doing, I feel ready to start the season.
Paul Grandson, Team Director of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team: “The test was very positive and very important for Franco, because in two weeks we will be back here for the first race of the season. We still lack the perfect set-up of the bike, but we are at 85-90%. Obviously we know that there are many competitive bikes on this circuit, but I think we have room for improvement. I am happy with these two days of testing and we are ready for the first race. Fabio is eager to come back and we stay in touch every day. He is eager to ride, but he needs some peace and quiet. He has only done one day of testing, and he will have to get to know the new bike in the first GP of the season, which will be like a winter test for him.”
MotoGP – Buriram Test – Day 2 Standings:
Ranking : MotoGP.com
Franco Morbidelli MotoGP test
