Morbidelli in the front line: "The result of the work we are doing"

Riding a Ducati GP25 which particularly benefited Marc Márquez last year but ultimately very little to the rest of the Borgo Panigale contingent, Franco Morbidelli has been experiencing difficulties since the beginning of the season, and suffers in particular from the comparison with his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, equipped with a GP26 and who is the best-placed Ducati rider in the championship before the sixth round of the championship, the Catalan Grand Prix.

Fifteenth in Friday's practice session, the Italian had to go through Q1, but he emerged brilliantly, setting the fastest time. He even had to repeat his performance a second time after his initial lap was deleted for exceeding track limits. In Q2, Morbidelli continued his excellent form, qualifying second behind pole-sitter Pedro Acosta. While acknowledging the difficulties he has faced since the start of the year, the VR46 rider praised the work done by his entire team, especially after a challenging French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

“As I’ve been saying for several weeks, we’re working very well. The feeling on this new bike isn’t ideal; we’re having quite a few difficulties, but we’re working very well with the team, step by step. We’re trying to analyze everything with the engineers, and I’m really getting help from Ducati and the team. This is the result of the good work we’re doing. I’m very happy about that, and I’m very grateful to the team and to Ducati.”

It remains to be seen, from 15pm this Saturday (Paris time), whether the driver with number 21 will be able to confirm, first during the Sprint, then this Sunday at 14pm during the Catalan Grand Prix.

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