Having ended 2020 as championship runner-up on the Petronas SRT Yamaha, Morbidelli’s time in MotoGP has grown immensely difficult.
INSIGHT: Yamaha’s once leading light fighting for his MotoGP future
Since switching to the factory Yamaha squad midway through 2021, Morbidelli has scored a best of fourth – which came in 2023 in Argentina in the sprint and grand prix – and is now under pressure to save his ride for 2024.
Yamaha has already outlined a timeframe of the end of the first half of the season to have its 2024 line-up fully firmed up.
While options to replace him are limited, Pramac’s Jorge Martin has been linked and the Spaniard’s contract with Ducati does stipulate a clause in which he can leave should a factory team offer him a deal.
Rossi’s VR46 Academy has been working harder this year to help Morbidelli improve his form, which the Italian detailed in an exclusive interview with Autosport.
“The best thing that the Academy, Vale and all the guys can do is give me a battle,” Morbidelli said.
“You really grow up by the adversities that you find. The more adversities that you find, you are able to overcome them, and you are a better person, and a better rider in this case.
“So, what Vale does in a great way is giving me a battle in every training. Even though he has stopped, he is always so competitive with go-karts and at the ranch and with the R1 bikes. With everything he jumps on the competition is as high as in racing.
Source: Autosport