The two Honda RC213Vs of the Marc VDS Racing team, currently allocated to Jack Miller and Tito Rabat, do not yet have drivers designated for 2018. Michael Bartholémy, the boss of the team, has proposed one to the brother of Marc Marquez, in case Jack Miller or Franco Morbidelli is leaving.
The Belgian team financed by Marc van der Straten completely dominated the Moto2 World Championship this year, even if Franco Morbidelli and Alex Márquez had to settle for fourth and third places last Sunday at Mugello.
Who will leave the Marc VDS team in MotoGP next year? Tito Rabat almost certainly, his family believing that they have subsidized him well enough for him to enjoy MotoGP before coming to work in the family jewelry store. Eleventh at Mugello, Rabat has finished in the top 10 only once (ninth in Argentina in 2016) in 23 Grands Prix. “ Tito does not want to return to Moto2 » clearly assures Bartholémy. “ I don't know what Tito is planning. I told him I would like to wait until July 15 before making a final decision. I told him in January, when he was with us in Belgium. At that time, I told him: 2016 was a difficult season, you have the chance to do a second season with us in MotoGP. And before July 15, I will decide for 2018.”
The manager from across Quiévrain would see Franco Morbidelli succeed Rabat, but if Morbidelli goes elsewhere, Marquez might be a good solution. His last name and his nationality are already solid guarantees at the level of partners (Estrella Galicia 0,0, Repsol, Honda, Red Bull, etc.).
For Bartholémy, “We do not exclude the fact thatAlex Marquez contests the MotoGP World Championship with us in 2018, for the following reason: The situation of Morbidelli with Marc VDS for the 2018 MotoGP World Championship is not yet 100% fixed.
“There are rumors that he might get a contract with Yamaha, or this or there... I'm not nervous, especially since Yamaha currently has all four of its bikes already allocated for next season.
“But I have to look, plan smart and secure myself. You never know what could happen in MotoGP... My plan is I want Morbidelli to join us for MotoGP. That would really be my goal. We picked him up in the middle of 2015, when a lot of other teams didn't want him. I think we've done a good job with him so far. It would be good if he could continue with us. That would be my dream. »
Photos © Marc VDS Racing
Source: Günther Wiesinger for speedweek. com
