It has been four years since Franco Morbidelli has fought for MotoGP race wins, can he return to the sharp end in 2025?
Franco Morbidelli was officially unveiled as a Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider across the weekend.
During the team launch the long-time VR46 Academy rider was showcased in VR46 colours for the first time in his career.
Before the event in Indonesia Morbidelli was asked if the reduction of Ducati's on the grid for 2025 will impact the Italian manufacturer.
“I really don't know, but I'm sure that Ducati will be up there,” Morbidelli replied.
“It's not going to make a lot of difference to me if the Ducatis are six or eight because I'm not looking for P6-7-8. I'm looking for P3-2-1. So the number, from eight to six, is not going to affect me.
“But for sure other manufacturers are going to step their game up. They're going to improve. Our opponents are going to be better than last year and let's see how the balances are going to go.
“But we are focused on bringing the team as high as we can, with the packages we have. These are two packages, mine and of course Fabio’s [di Giannantonio, GP25] deserve to be on the top spots. So we will try to do that.”
Morbidelli had a difficult debut year with Ducati in 2024 after struggling with serious injuries in preseason. However, his results improved in the second half of the year, the Italian will get a second year on the Ducati GP24 in the 2025 season.
The former MotoGP runner-up was asked what his targets are for what could be a crucial 2025 season.
“I'm looking to improve on last year's performances, which were really good from the second half of the season to the end,” Morbidelli explained.
“We made huge steps. As I said, we were starting a bit too far behind, but we had great pace in basically all races in the second half.
“So I'm looking to improve the areas that I missed last year to fight for these podiums and top positions, and bring the colours of the team as high as possible. As the team deserves.”