Franco Morbidelli faces last chance to revive MotoGP career

Franco Morbidelli under pressure at VR46 Ducati as career hangs in the balance.

Franco Morbidelli of Italy and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team looks on from the starting grid before the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on March 2, 2025. Photo by Steve Wobser/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Franco Morbidelli is facing a critical juncture in his MotoGP career, with growing pressure to deliver results in the 2025 season. Now in his eighth year in the premier class, the Italian has struggled to recapture the form that saw him finish as the championship runner-up in 2020.

Following three underwhelming seasons with Yamaha and an injury-plagued transition to Ducati machinery, Morbidelli has been given a lifeline at VR46 Ducati. However, he has been warned that unless he performs, his MotoGP future may be in jeopardy.

“You could see his career slipping away,” said TNT Sports analyst Neil Hodgson. “He had a knee injury, then on a Yamaha he got destroyed by his teammate Fabio Quartararo. Last season didn’t work out. But in pre-season he was at the sharp end. We could see a resurgence.”

Early struggles and penalties in Thailand

Despite a promising pre-season, Morbidelli’s opening weekend in Thailand was marred by an early setback. During Friday practice at Buriram, he was penalized for cruising on the racing line and obstructing Francesco Bagnaia. As a result, he served a grid penalty in the first race of the season.

Michael Laverty, providing analysis on Morbidelli’s situation, described him as a puzzling figure in the MotoGP paddock.

“The enigma that is Franco Morbidelli,” Laverty said. “He is so fast when he wants to be. Obviously, he has been through the doldrums.

“I do think a change of team, moving to VR46 because of his history with Valentino and the academy, is like going home. He is well acquainted with the Ducati. He did have a tough time adapting last year on arguably the best bike on the grid, but it was coming together.

“The stars could align. Don’t forget he was second in the world on a Yamaha in 2020.”

A difficult journey and one final shot

Morbidelli’s MotoGP trajectory has been filled with ups and downs. After his runner-up finish in 2020, he struggled for three seasons on Yamaha machinery, unable to match the performance of his teammate Fabio Quartararo.

A switch to Pramac Ducati, riding a factory-spec Desmosedici, seemed like the perfect opportunity to reignite his career. However, an untimely injury in pre-season set him back, making his adaptation to the Ducati more challenging.

When Pramac was taken over by Yamaha, Morbidelli’s time with the team appeared to be over. But VR46 Racing stepped in to offer him a second chance, pairing him with Fabio Di Giannantonio on a year-old Ducati.

Hodgson believes this is Morbidelli’s last real opportunity to prove himself.

“It absolutely is,” Hodgson said. “He’s on a one-year contract, so he will be well aware of that.

“It’s all about momentum. If he can get the result—confidence builds.

“We are talking about fractions of seconds separating these riders. Confidence and momentum play a huge part.”

Encouraging start despite doubts

Despite the pressure surrounding his future, Morbidelli delivered an encouraging performance in the opening race of the season, finishing in fourth place at the Thailand Grand Prix.

While questions remain about whether he can sustain this level of performance, his result in Buriram offers a glimmer of hope. With his contract expiring at the end of 2025, every race will be crucial in determining whether he remains in MotoGP beyond this season.