Franco Morbidelli made history for the VR46 team as he secured his first podium with his new team, and it was an emotional moment for team director Alessio Salucci.

Morbidelli was the first-ever member of the VR46 Riders Academy in 2014, but he had never actually raced for Valentino Rossi's team before. This season, he was chosen to replace Marco Bezzecchi, and this move sparked a debate.

And despite a solid track record, Morbidelli hadn’t been on the podium since 2021, and some people even doubted that he would return to his best form.

“I’m really happy for Franky,” Salucci told TNT Sports. “The last few seasons weren’t great for him. But when we decided to sign him, we believed in him because he’s a fantastic rider and a great guy. Our goal was to help him get back to the top.”

Sunday’s race wasn’t easy, as Morbidelli had been feeling unwell, yet he still managed to finish third. For Salucci, this was a dream come true.

“Today is special for me, for our team, for VR46, and for Franky. I’ve been dreaming about this for six months,” Salucci said. “He’s like family here. Seeing him back on the podium is emotional.”

And even though he had been part of the VR46 Academy since 2014, he always ended up racing elsewhere. In Moto2, he was under contract with Marc VDS. In MotoGP, he rode for Yamaha, as there was always something in the way.

“Last year, he was finally free,” Salucci explained. “And I told Vale, ‘I want Morbidelli on the team because I trust him.’ People doubted us, saying, ‘Why? Morbidelli is finished.’ But we knew he could come back, and today he proved it.”

Morbidelli had already shown strong form this season, as he finished fourth in Thailand. But in Argentina, he went even further and chose the risky soft tire, which helped him get on the podium. This was VR46's first podium since Bezzecchi's Jerez finish last year.

“When we signed him, people on Instagram questioned it. But today, he showed that he’s still one of the best riders in the world,” Salucci said. “And this is just the beginning! Every session, he’s getting better.”

Salucci also credited Ducati for providing an excellent bike and praised the VR46 team for making the right strategy call. “Only Morbidelli and Diggia chose the soft tire. I asked, ‘Are you sure?’ and they said, ‘Yes!’ And they were right.”

For Morbidelli, this could be the start of a thrilling comeback. And for VR46, it’s proof that believing in your riders pays off.