Because of Fermin Aldeguer’s injury, Franco Morbidelli is currently the only satellite Ducati rider testing alongside the factory GP26 motorcycle at this week’s Sepang MotoGP sessions.
Usually, Ducati’s satellite riders pilot a model from the previous season, which means Morbidelli and Aldeguer would be expected to use the GP25. While the GP25 was a great fit for Marc Marquez last year, it proved less successful for Francesco Bagnaia and Morbidelli’s VR46 teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio. This has led to speculation that Morbidelli and Aldeguer might benefit by sticking with their more balanced GP24 machines for the final year of the 1000cc era.
In a winter interview, Morbidelli’s crew chief Matteo Flamini told GPOne.com that “Franco will keep last year’s bike.” However, VR46 later clarified to crash.net that the focus isn’t on the bike’s model number but rather on having the best non-factory setup available.
Morbidelli himself, who finished seventh overall in the Sepang test times, stated, “I don’t call my bike a GP25. I don’t know who told me I use a GP25.” When queried if it was a GP24, he replied it’s more of a hybrid setup, combining features appreciated by all Ducati riders, rather than a strict GP25. He added, “I think it was actually faster than last year’s race weekend,” and emphasized that the bike is a customized package tailored to his preferences.
He explained it’s unclear whether calling it a GP24, GP25, or any variation makes sense, as Ducati is a capable manufacturer providing whatever the rider wants, pending successful testing. Morbidelli stressed, “My bike is a rider-selected package that can be chosen within Ducati,” and it should not be compared to the version that Bagnaia disliked last year.
During testing, Morbidelli posted the second-fastest lap on day two but couldn’t improve on the final day. He said, “We worked really hard trying to understand the new package and improved the fundamentals quite a bit.” Although he made a mistake during his time attack, costing him some lap time, he remains positive about the bike’s speed and overall feel. Still, he acknowledged there is room for improvement, noting a gap of 4.5 seconds behind Alex Marquez. Morbidelli concluded, “We will continue to work to close that gap, but overall the three days of testing were good.”
The last pre-season MotoGP test will take place in Buriram on February 21-22.
Fan Take: This insight into Morbidelli’s customized Ducati package shows how personalized setups are becoming crucial in MotoGP, highlighting the sport’s tech evolution and the importance of rider feedback. Fans should watch closely this season, as these subtle but strategic bike choices could shake up the competition and redefine performance standards.
