Returning to the Crash Location, Franco Morbidelli: Nothing Negative

RiderTua.com – This weekend Franco Morbidelli returns to Portimao, where he suffered a worrying crash during pre-season back in January. At that time the Pramac Ducati rider lost control of his Panigale V4S in Portugal and was hospitalized after collapsing. As a result, Franky missed the entire pre-season test and was forced to use the season opener in Qatar as practice with his Ducati GP24.

This weekend’s Portuguese GP, which is the second series of the 2024 season, gives Morbidelli the next opportunity to adjust to his new team. Recalling the crash he recently experienced, Morbido said there were no negatives in approaching this track. The main reason is because this track is good and fun. “I had a crash, yes a serious crash. But a strange crash. A memorable crash. Technically, it couldn’t have affected my thinking.”

Returning to the Crash Location, Franco Morbidelli: Nothing Negative

Franco Morbidelli continued, “It is something that is difficult to happen again. Also, because I do what I love. Nothing can slow down my progress on this track.”

Morbidelli’s physical recovery from his crash in January is largely complete. This means he can improve his progress with the GP24, even if it is slower than his MotoGP rivals.

Regarding this weekend’s Portimao GP, the Brazilian Italian rider said, “We will continue to acclimatize with the new bike, but with more confidence than in Qatar. I had a normal few weeks at home, and I had the opportunity to ride the bike. The confidence is much greater.”

Morbidelli and the team know that in Portugal they have a platform to recover. The confidence was in the fact that he had a normal two weeks when I was home, rather than the recovery week he had between the crash and the first race. “I didn’t take any tests at all. Everything I went through, in general, was in that period,” added the VR46 student.

What Morbidelli has done over the last two weeks since Qatar is to start normal training as quickly as possible. “I feel good. My body is reacting very well. I am very happy with that,” answered Franky.

When asked about his initial indications with GP24 where Pecco Bagnaia won the Qatar GP and his teammate Jorge Martin took victory in the sprint. Franky replied, “It has to be ridden fast! Pecco and Jorge go faster than any other Ducati. It needs to be ridden that way.”

Apart from that, Morbidelli entered the Portuguese GP after news emerged that Ducati had recruited Fermin Aldeguer for the 2025 season. However, it has not been confirmed that Aldeguer will be placed at the Pramac team. And it is predicted that  Martin will strengthen the factory team, either at the Ducati factory team or a rival manufacturer. So what will happen to Morbidelli next?