It's time for the season debrief. As every winter for the past two years, this column analyzes each rider's campaign in detail, from the lowest-ranked to the world champion. The aim is to provide a reasoned perspective on the performance of each of our heroes, so we can all discuss it together. Are you ready for this new installment, dedicated to Franco Morbidelli? Let's go!
Yesterday's episode was dedicated to Fermin Aldeguer; you can find it by clicking here.
Do not rewrite history
High expectations were high for Franco Morbidelli this year. He was the only Desmosedici GP24 rider with experience on the bike, having already ridden it last year. I must say that wasn't the case for me, as I was expecting a "Disastrous season" for him, and had seen him finish 12th in the overall standings. It was actually a bit better than that, but it wasn't anything to write home about..
We need to stop saying he's not good enough. Before his injuries, he still finished as MotoGP runner-up, which isn't something everyone can achieve. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Let's focus first on the results. As I anticipated, he capitalized on his GP24 experience to perform well early in the season, while others were still getting to grips with their machines. He even impressed me quite a bit in the first third of the season, with some very strong race performances in particular. Apart from a crash at the Spanish Grand Prix followed by a disappointing performance in tricky conditions in France, He was one of the most consistent, always playing in the top 5, and sometimes even on the podium!
Ultimately, he finished the season in seventh place, missing two Grands Prix, ahead of Fermin Aldeguer on identical bikes, which is no small feat! This first point was dedicated to those who hate him, or who, generally speaking, think he doesn't belong in MotoGPIf you look at the results objectively, it remained very dangerous until late in the season, and all without a large number of crashes or air pockets. Don't be swayed by those who claim it's bad, because, clearly, The facts say otherwise.
Franco Morbidelli needs to focus
Now that I've said that, we can move on to the rest, which hurts more. Franco Morbidelli, who was, after all, playing his eighth season at the highest level, had equipment that allowed his colleagues to play at the front. On what was perhaps the best motorcycle on the grid, he failed to achieve any truly outstanding performances. : even his two podium finishes were not memorable, for example.
This year, unfortunately, He became more famous because of his blunders.I don't think I've ever seen such a clumsy driver on the track in my life. His weekends were riddled with rule violations. Sometimes it was because he was impeding an opponent on the racing line during a fast lap. Other times, it was because he couldn't fight fair and square – his biggest weakness. Even his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio was on the receiving end of them. And then, finally, there were the times he would literally take a competitor down.
When I think of less deserving riders, other names come to mind before Morbidelli's. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
It was a real festival this seasonAnd this continued until the Valencia Grand Prix, where he collided with Aleix Espargaro as he was lining up on the starting grid (!) Enough is enough, and on top of that, he repeatedly challenged the decisions of race control, whereas I personally found that Simon Crafar had been rather lenient with him!
This is just my opinion, but what Morbidelli has said and done this year is unworthy of a MotoGP rider, that's all.Fortunately, his status as a VR46 Academy veteran guarantees him a good ride for 2026, but he must be careful because, as the title of this article says, He is betraying the trust placed in him., wasting a certain talent with mistakes that a rookie wouldn't make.
The worst part is that this isn't new. Back in 2022, Morbidelli had already drawn the ire of his teammate Fabio Quartararo in Malaysia.For next season, he absolutely must resolve these problems which are penalizing him, to say the least, not to mention threatening his career.
Conclusion
Contrary to what many believe, Morbidelli, in terms of rhythm, is not so badHe proved he could fight for podium finishes, and even though he had an excellent bike, his consistency deserves praise. Regardless of the equipment, seventh place overall is still a respectable result. The problem is that his campaign was ruined by his own mistakes. They hurt his results, that's one thing, but they also damaged his reputation. Which is much more serious!
I must admit that I find it hard to imagine him anywhere other than with the Ducati VR46 team. In 2025, he sent a subtle signal to the teams on the grid: sign him, This could potentially generate a lot of frustration. The 2026 season will be crucial for his career.That's for sure. He absolutely must correct himself.
What did you think of Morbidelli's season? Tell me in the comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.
In a way, it's a shame he lets such huge blunders get him down. I'd like to see him more focused; I really think he can become dangerous (in a good way this time). Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
