Franco was expected to perform at a high level this year, but the limitations of the M1 prevail
22.06.2022 ( Aggiornata il 22.06.2022 20:26 )
In the Yamaha camp or, more specifically, in the factory Yamaha garage, there is simultaneously laughter and tears. While, on the one hand, the team can celebrate the triumphs of Fabio Quartararo, the undisputed frontrunner in MotoGP right now, on the other hand, there is no denying the fact that Franco Morbidelli is struggling, battling against a whirlwind of negative performances.
A whirlwind that began in the second half of 2021 in fact, when Franco - who returned at Misano following a knee injury - climbed aboard the factory M1 vacated by Maverick Vinales. Last season’s races served as a lengthy test for the Italian who, on paper at least, should have put that experience into practice in 2022, when the M1 - again on paper - should have become a bike more suited to the number 21 rider.
Unfulfilled hopes (for now)
Unfortunately though, the reality is very different, as Morbidelli has been unable to achieve the desired results, aside from a fifth place finish on day 1 in Qatar. He has often found himself languishing in the bottom half of the timesheets and the overall classification can only reflect this of course, with Franco currently placing 19th with 25 points, ten less than his Academy team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, for example.
The problems affecting Morbidelli are clear - the 2022 M1 requires a particular riding style that, for now, only Quartararo seems to possess. All the set-up changes therefore appear useless, despite the glimpses of light that Franco occasionally cites over the course of a weekend.
Not an easy problem for the former Moto2 champion to fix then, particularly with a view to the future. MotoGP runner-up just two years ago, Franky has a contract with Yamaha for next year but, if there no significant technical changes are forthcoming – fairly unlikely considering the performance of ‘captain’ Quartararo – the Italian risks finding himself in purgatory.
Translated by Heather Watson
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