Franco Morbidelli is approaching the upcoming season with a fresh perspective, despite riding an older Ducati Desmosedici GP24. Morbidelli, who recently joined the VR46 team, believes that this approach might give him a surprising ending as he aims to reclaim his place among MotoGP's elite.

A Rocky Start with Ducati

Last season, Morbidelli moved from Yamaha to Pramac Racing to ride the Ducati Desmosedici, a bike also ridden by Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. Despite the bike's potential, Morbidelli's performance got off to a challenging start. A major accident during winter training in Portimão sidelined him from crucial pre-season tests, leaving him with little time to adapt to a new manufacturer.

The results reflected his rocky transition: ninth in the championship standings and sixth out of the eight Ducati riders. Meanwhile, his former teammate Jorge Martin went on to clinch the championship title on the same bike.

A Second Chance

With whispers of 2024 potentially being his final year in MotoGP, Morbidelli’s mentor and racing legend Valentino Rossi stepped in, offering him a seat with VR46 for 2025. However, there’s a twist: while his new teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, will ride the latest GP25, Morbidelli will compete on last year’s GP24. Surprisingly, he’s not only unbothered by this but also sees it as a potential advantage.

“For someone like me, who has always found it difficult to adapt to new things, keeping the same package as last year is a positive aspect,” Morbidelli explained during the VR46 team presentation.

Turning Familiarity into an Advantage

In a sport where cutting-edge technology dominates, Morbidelli’s confidence in his year-old bike stands out. By sticking with the GP24, he aims to gain a head start in the crucial early rounds of the season.

“The fact of not changing anything will mean that I will have fewer unknowns than others, especially in the first races. And it will be important to try to take advantage of that small advantage,” he said.

Still, Morbidelli knows that just being consistent won’t be enough. “If I want to improve my results from last year, I have to fight for podiums and victories,” he emphasized.

Fewer Ducatis on the Grid

One notable change for Ducati in 2025 is the reduction of bikes on the grid, from eight to six. While this has sparked speculation about the potential impact, Morbidelli remains unfazed, focusing instead on his ambitions.

“For me, it’s not going to make a big difference whether Ducati has six or eight bikes. I’m not looking to finish sixth, seventh, or eighth. I’m looking to win, to finish second and third,” he said confidently.

A Rider to Watch

As the 2025 season approaches, Morbidelli’s approach and determination make him a rider to watch. While others will need to adapt to new bikes, Morbidelli is betting on the familiarity of the older GP24. The question remains: will his gamble pay off?