Franco Morbidelli has admitted that a lack of “feeling” on Ducati’s year‑old GP25 explains his disappointing eight‑round run in the 2026 MotoGP season.
Feelings and Performance
After eight races, Morbidelli sits below his teammate Fabio di Giannantonio and has yet to record a Sunday podium. The VR46 rider said he “does not have the feeling he would like to have on the bike” and that the start of races has been a persistent stumbling block.
He described the season’s trajectory as “not a great way, not in a positive way.” Despite these struggles, Morbidelli noted that “since Austin, we changed our way of working.” The team has accepted the loss of last year’s instinct and focused on maximizing the existing package, with practice sessions showing promising gains.
On the track, Morbidelli still managed front‑row qualification in Barcelona and a third‑place sprint finish in Jerez. These results, he said, underlined a “great attitude in a tough period” shared by the entire team.
Team Response and Rider Dynamics
VR46 manager Pablo Nieto highlighted the Italian’s hidden potential, noting that “even with a sprint podium, a feeling is still missing.” Nieto added that “every race and every weekend needs that good feeling” for Franco to reach top‑tier results.
The only other Ducati on a 2025‑spec bike is Fermin Aldeguer, who contends with recovery from a testing crash. Nieto pointed out the difficulty comparing the two since Aldeguer has yet to fully regain confidence. “We can see that Fermin fights for a podium in some races, but the top‑10 is hard,” he said, acknowledging “the package we have” but urging more support for Morbidelli.
Next‑Season Outlook
Morbidelli confirmed that a return to his previous “feeling” could restore the form seen in 2024, when “minor issues allowed us to move from P3 to P1.” He believes that mastering the current “major issues” and achieving a top‑10 finish is already a “great result” under the present circumstances.
For 2027, VR46 has reportedly set terms with Ducati‑contracted Fermin Aldeguer, signalling uncertainty for Morbidelli’s future in the premier class. Yet, the 31‑year‑old maintains confidence that, with the right feel on the bike, he could once again challenge for top positions.
The team’s revised strategy, Morbidelli’s candid admission of struggle, and the looming 2027 contract move set the stage for a season marked by a battle between adaptability and instinct.
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