Franco Morbidelli Embraces “Pride and Pressure” of Racing for Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP Team

Franco Morbidelli has admitted feeling a mix of pride and added pressure as he prepares to race for Valentino Rossi’s VR46 MotoGP team in the 2025 season. The 29-year-old Italian rider, a standout graduate of the VR46 Academy, is eager to rise to the high expectations that come with representing the legendary Rossi’s squad.

A former Moto2 world champion in 2017 and the first VR46 graduate to claim a MotoGP victory with his San Marino GP win in 2020, Morbidelli’s move to VR46 Ducati marks a special chapter in his career. Despite his deep ties to the Academy, he has never raced directly under Rossi’s team banner until now.

Making his VR46 debut on the GP24 Ducati during post-season testing in Barcelona, Morbidelli completed 52 laps and secured a solid seventh-place finish. Reflecting on the team atmosphere, he highlighted the “magical” synergy within the squad, emphasizing the importance of cohesion for future success.

Racing for Rossi’s team brings unique challenges, particularly for an Italian rider, but Morbidelli is embracing the weight of the moment. “It makes me feel proud and also adds pressure,” he said. “Racing for Valentino’s team sets a very high standard, and we aim to meet those expectations moving forward.

“I have stability with the bike remaining the same, though the people around me have changed. However, I already know them well, so it’s a change, but not a drastic one.”

Morbidelli’s return to Ducati in 2024 with Pramac marked a resurgence in form after two tough years with Yamaha. A podium finish at the San Marino GP sprint race hinted at his potential, though he admitted struggling to consistently match the pace of other GP24 riders throughout the season.

Reflecting on 2024, Morbidelli described it as a season of growth. “I’ll remember the progress we made in every session, every weekend. Each grand prix, we found something better than the one before. We’ve improved significantly, even if the final step is still missing.”

The journey hasn’t been without obstacles. Morbidelli’s pre-season preparation was hampered by a concussion sustained in a training accident at Portimao. The crash forced him to miss the entire winter testing phase, leaving him with temporary memory loss for two weeks afterward. Despite these setbacks, he is determined to excel with Rossi’s team in the upcoming season, ready to honor both the pride and pressure of the VR46 legacy.