Franco Morbidelli, now with Pramac Racing, is navigating his transition to the Ducati Desmosedici. In an interview with Motosan, Morbidelli discussed his new team, early impressions of Ducati, and the challenges stemming from his knee injury in 2021.
On His New Team: “The team is very supportive and has maintained a positive atmosphere, helping me adjust after missing key testing sessions in winter due to my injury.”
On Gino Borsoi: “Gino is an exceptional team manager. He is deeply involved with the riders and the team, which gives me great confidence.”
Comparing Yamaha and Ducati: “I can’t compare them yet. I have very few kilometers on the Ducati and need more time to understand it fully. It’s a friendly bike, but a deeper comparison will come later.”
Overcoming Past Challenges: “People speculated that my knee injury changed everything, but it was just a normal injury. The real challenge was adapting to many changes at once.”
Detailed Analysis:
Transition and Adaptation: Morbidelli acknowledges that transitioning from Yamaha to Ducati requires time and patience. The limited kilometers on his new bike have not yet provided enough experience for a detailed comparison. He emphasizes that understanding the nuances of Ducati will come with more track time and familiarity.
Team Dynamics: Morbidelli praises the supportive environment at Pramac Racing. The positive team dynamics and the involvement of team manager Gino Borsoi are pivotal in his adjustment period. Borsoi’s hands-on approach instills confidence in Morbidelli, fostering a collaborative atmosphere crucial for success.
Future Prospects: Morbidelli is optimistic about his future with Ducati, focusing on gaining more experience and fully understanding the new bike to compete effectively in the upcoming races. His pragmatic approach and emphasis on gradual adaptation highlight his commitment to excelling with his new team.