Franky Morbidelli makes his return from injury at the San MarinoGP this weekend having secured a two year factory Yamaha contact.
The Italian will return to competition at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in new colours as he joins the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team - making way for Andrea Dovizioso at Petronas - with the Roman seeing out the remainder of 2021 with the factory outfit before commencing a further two full years, having signed until 2023.
The 2020 vice champion has been out of action since Sachsenring due to an ongoing knee injury, completing surgery on the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on June 25th. Following an intensive rehab programme across the summer, Morbidelli returns to the MotoGP paddock to once again partner Fabio Quartararo - his 2019-20 teammate - in his bid to return to full race fitness.
“I'm very pleased and happy about facing this weekend and this highly anticipated new chapter with the Factory Yamaha team,” Morbidelli said ahead of his return. “I've been trying to recover as much as possible for the final stage of this championship. I wanted to make my comeback at a track I know well and have great memories of, like Misano. ”I'm looking forward to jumping on the bike and starting my journey with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. Of course, I need and I want to thank all the people who made this happen, starting with Ito-san, Lin, Maio, Sumi-san, the VR46 Riders Academy, and all other people who made this collaboration possible.
“The main feeling right now is that I'm really looking forward to jumping on the Factory M1,” he continued.
“I really want to start working with the team and start making laps with the bike because it's been a long time that I haven't been riding, and I'm starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. So I'm really looking forward to riding again. Moreover, my comeback is going to be in such a great environment - Misano is a circuit I know well and like a lot - and on a great bike. I'm really looking forward to practicing my sport again!”
“First of all, we want to thank Petronas Yamaha SRT for allowing Franky to make his dream come true and letting him step up to the Factory team ahead of schedule,” Yamaha boss, Lin Jarvis said of the announcement. “Originally, we had planned for Franky to move up from 2022 on, but following a sudden rider line-up change mid-season, we had the chance to let him upgrade early. “Secondly, I want to give a warm welcome to Franky. He is an exceptional talent. This was even further highlighted last year when he secured second place in the championship and achieved five podiums and three wins on the satellite Yamaha. It shows the type of rider that he is: committed to extracting the best from the YZR-M1 under all circumstances. “Naturally, we‘re thrilled that Franky will be back in the paddock and that he is well enough to start racing again. He will have to find his form gradually, in line with his physical improvements, as he is still recovering. We will be using the remainder of 2021 to get him settled in the team and comfortable on the bike. “We have already locked down our plans for 2022 and 2023, with Franky receiving full Factory backing from Yamaha Motor Company. We feel certain that a skilled, calm, and experienced rider like Franky will strengthen the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team and will enjoy great success in the future.”
