Former MotoGP vice champion Franco Morbidelli put on an impressive display during the three-day test in Sepang, finishing fourth on the combined timesheets with his Pertamina VR46 Ducati team.
On Thursday, the Italian rider surprised everyone by setting the fastest lap of the day. By the final day of testing, he managed to improve his lap time to 1:56.948, shaving off another quarter of a second. Over the three days, only fellow Ducati riders Alex Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, along with Yamaha star Fabio Quartararo, posted faster times.
A Strong Start with a New Team
Speaking to the media on Friday, Morbidelli expressed his excitement about his new team and their early progress.
“I’m really happy,” he said with a beaming smile. “The collaboration with my new crew has been amazing. This was only our first three days together, but we already have great chemistry. It’s always challenging to explain exactly what you expect from the bike and then turn that into technical adjustments. That requires clear feedback from me and strong communication among the team. This is the first thing you need to establish when joining a new team. We’ve made a solid start, and we’ll build on that. The team had a tough season last year, so beginning this one on a high note is a huge morale boost for everyone.”
Morbidelli carried much of the team’s hopes during the test, as his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio suffered a broken left collarbone on the first day of testing. Riding the Ducati GP24, last season’s model, Morbidelli seized the opportunity to make his mark.
Confidence on the Rise
The 2020 vice champion, who previously raced for Yamaha, showed confidence in his abilities. “I believe in myself,” he stated. “My career has had its ups and downs, but right now, I feel like I’m on an upward trajectory.”
Ducati riders using last year’s bike often have an advantage at the start of the season while the newest model is still being fine-tuned. However, Morbidelli isn’t taking that for granted. “Last year, everyone expected more from the GP23, but only Marc Marquez was able to push it to its limits. The expectations didn’t play out as people thought. Let’s see what happens this year.”
Pushing the Limits in Intense Conditions
At 1 PM, under the scorching midday sun, Morbidelli completed a 16-lap long run, later describing the experience as “tough, hot, and demanding.”
“But I was also fast, so it was cool and very positive,” he said with a grin. “When you’re quick, you forget about the heat, exhaustion, and all the challenges that come with the first long run of the year.”
With his strong showing at Sepang, Morbidelli has sent a clear message that he’s ready to take on the new MotoGP season with confidence and determination.
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