Will MotoGP see the return of Morbidelli, version 2020?

The 2022 MotoGP season is yet to get underway, but many are already asking whether we will see a return of the ‘2020 version’ of Franco Morbidelli, or rather, a rider able to win races and fight for the title aboard the Petronas satellite Yamaha M1.

Just as he did in his Moto2 days, that saw him win the 2017 title with Marc VDS while riding a Honda-powered Kalex, the Italo-Brazilian rider played a starring role two years ago. Three race victories and two further podiums saw him round out the year as championship runner-up, Joan Mir with the Suzuki.

Today, the 27-year old is competing for the Yamaha Monster Energy team, the Iwata manufacturer’s factory squad, of which he became part as of the 2021 San Marino and Riviera di Rimini round. When Maverick Viñales left for Aprilia, Morbido came on board, leaving his place to Andrea Dovizioso.

Knee injury behind him? We hope so

---

And so Franco contested five races aboard the factory M1 alongside Fabio Quartararo, who was ultimately crowned world champion. But while the Frenchman proved incredibly fast, Morbidelli struggled, perhaps due to the change in garage, mentality and technical staff, perhaps due to the additional responsibility he carried on his shoulders, but one detail definitely had a bearing.

Before moving to the Yamaha factory team, number 21 hurt his knee at Le Mans. A pity, because the Jerez podium he’d scored previously augered well, but instead, the rider was forced to sit out five consecutive weekends, from Assen to Aragón, and score zero points as a result.

He had no issues as team-mate to nine-time champion Valentino Rossi on the Petronas team. Rather, the problem was the injury and subsequent surgery and rehabilitation. And so when he climbed aboard the Monster Energy bike, Franco wasn’t ride, needing time to get back in shape and regain both his speed and automatisms on his bike.

Morbido lies in wait. Or is that Quartararo?

---

Let’s say both, for reasons that are at once similar and different. Franco needs to prove himself following promotion to the factory team, while Fabio needs to consolidate his performance, or rather, win again. Easy right? Well, not exactly… It looks like we might be in for something of a derby inside the Monster Energy garage, even future contract negotiations likely to be a part of the battle.

Morbidelli and Quartararo have been MotoGP team-mates already in the past, in 2020, when El Diablo suddently nosedived after having dominated almost all season, slipping from first to eight place in the standings. Of the two, it was the former Moto2 champion who came out on top that season.

They were also Petronas travel companions in 2019, but it was the Nice native who did better on that occasion. The pages have turned several times, and now here we are, with everything up for grabs, from trophies and money, to recognition and even their jobs. Will we see a return of the Morbidelli of two years ago, a rider more than capable of putting on a show?

Translated by Heather Watson

MotoGP, Zarco: “I struggled to maintain concentration in 2021”