In a blunt assessment of Andrea Iannone’s MotoGP return at the Malaysian Grand Prix, former MotoGP star Marco Melandri didn’t hold back, stating he “expected more” from his fellow Italian racer. Iannone, stepping in for VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is out following shoulder surgery, faced a tough re-entry after a four-year doping ban sidelined him since 2019.
Iannone, a one-time Grand Prix winner and Superbike star, showed glimpses of promise early on, finishing ninth in Friday’s session on fresh tires. However, after a 17th-place qualifying that was hindered by a last-lap error, the comeback story quickly unraveled. Physically, Iannone struggled in both the sprint and the main race, ultimately finishing near the back of the pack.
Melandri, a five-time MotoGP race winner, felt Iannone’s performance fell far short of expectations. “Everyone expected more from Iannone,” he told Corsedimoto. “On Friday morning, it looked like he had found some pace, but in reality, few riders had switched to new tires. Fresh tires in cool conditions can be misleading, especially in Malaysia.” According to Melandri, Iannone’s struggles became even more apparent as he lagged in the race, where “times from halfway through were very slow—he was lapping at the same pace Stoner and I were hitting back in 2007.”
While Melandri’s comments may seem harsh, they’re rooted in fact. Iannone’s average lap time of 2m02.379s at Sepang left him nearly 48 seconds off the lead, while Melandri, in 2007, averaged 2m02.784s when he finished second. The numbers tell a stark story, and for Melandri, this return shows that Iannone has much to prove. “He must and can do better,” Melandri said, challenging Iannone to find his form.
Iannone’s weekend at Sepang highlighted the brutal reality of MotoGP racing after years away. While he has the drive, Melandri’s remarks echo the sentiment that Iannone needs more than just determination to regain a competitive edge.