Who will form the rider duo at Yamaha in 2024? This question has not yet been answered after the first eight races of the current MotoGP season. While Fabio Quartararo has a contract until the end of next year, Franco Morbidelli’s deal with the team expires at the end of this season.
Most recently, speculation about the future of the Italian had been repeated. A possible change to the VR46 team was also in the air. After all, Morbidelli has been part of the driver academy of MotoGP veteran Valentino Rossi for many years.
But as the summer break began, Morbidelli’s future was still in the balance. Yamaha team manager Massimo Meregalli reveals in an interview with ‘Motorsport-Total.com’: “Usually our time to talk about it, to make decisions, is Mugello. But now it’s been three races in a row and then the break that’s usually around Mugello was around.”
Meregalli praises Morbidelli’s progress
“Soon we will decide what to do. I mean, we haven’t decided yet. We are also considering a couple of other drivers, Morbidelli is one of them.”
When asked whether you were looking around alone in the MotoGP paddock or beyond, Meregalli replied: “No, no, only here.” At the same time, he points to the progress Morbidelli has made this season.
“We believe in his abilities. He was able to adapt to this bike during the winter period. Last year he was always trying to modify the bike because of his riding style. But at a certain point he started to adapt to himself work to adapt to the bike and for me his progress is the result.”
Morbidelli approaches superstar Quartararo
If Morbidelli was still clear against teammate Quartararo last year, he seems to have come closer this season – albeit at an overall lower level than Yamaha would like. Because unlike in 2022, the Japanese manufacturer is no longer the second force in the field.
Both drivers are struggling with this year’s M1. But the difference between them has diminished. “I think I’m getting closer to him,” says Morbidelli, who is just seven points behind Quartararo after eight race weekends.
“I was quicker than him a couple of times in qualifying, including at Jerez, which is one of his favorite circuits. So I think I’m getting closer to him, sometimes I’m better than him, although not necessarily in the races. But I am I’m not far away, I can see him throughout the race, the gaps are getting smaller.”
Morbidelli hides the future while driving
“It also gives me a louder voice on the team, which is nice,” says Morbidelli. “But of course I’m not happy yet and I want to keep improving.”
The Yamaha rider tries to hide the fact that he is also driving for his future. “Every race is important. And I’m not driving with the thought of securing my future, but out of pure passion. I don’t want to let external influences spoil that for me,” emphasizes the Vice World Champion from 2020.
“Of course it’s also a job, and we all want to keep our job. I would like to do this for many more years. In this respect, I will continue to work on myself to improve. As I said, last year was the difference between Fabio and me big. But this year is a completely different story. Yes, we have to keep pushing, but the numbers speak for themselves.”