Franco Morbidelli is looking towards a fresh start in the 2024 MotoGP season after signing a one-year deal with Pramac Ducati.
The Italian rider will swap his Yamaha YZR-M1 for the Desmosedici GP24, hoping to recapture the form that saw him win the 2017 Moto2 World Championship and claim two MotoGP victories.
Morbidelli’s recent years with Yamaha have been challenging, hampered by injuries and a lack of competitiveness compared to former his teammate, Fabio Quartararo.
The signing with Pramac provides a much-needed change of scenery and access to Ducati’s proven machinery.
“It’s a pleasure for us to welcome Franco Morbidelli to our factory-supported Pramac Racing team for the upcoming season,” Ducati General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna said.
“I have an excellent relationship with him, and he has proven to be a champion on many occasions. We are sure that he will be able to adapt quickly to our Desmosedici GP and fight for the top positions.” he added.
Morbidelli echoed Dall’Igna’s optimism, expressing his excitement about the new opportunity.
“I am very motivated for this new chapter in my career. Ducati is a manufacturer with a great history and tradition in MotoGP, and I am confident that I can be competitive with their bike.” Morbidelli added.
“I am also looking forward to working with Jorge Martin, who is a very talented rider.” Morbidelli added.
The 2024 season will be crucial for Morbidelli to prove himself on the premier stage. With the pressure off and a powerful Ducati at his disposal, he has the potential to rediscover his winning form and challenge the top riders in MotoGP.
However, adapting to a new bike and team will be a significant challenge, and Morbidelli will need to work hard to be competitive from the outset.
