Franco Morbidelli is having a difficult 2024 MotoGP season as the Italian has struggled to find consistent results.
The 29-year-old will complete his seventh season in the pinnacle of motorcycle racing this weekend at the season finale in Barcelona. Morbidelli is in his first year riding a Ducati, having raced with Yamaha machines for the past five years before switching to Pramac.
Winning three races in 2020 – his only wins in MotoGP thus far – Morbidelli achieved his best finish that season as he finished runner-up in the championship to Joan Mir by 13 points.
Since then, the Italian has struggled to return to the front of the pack, having not achieved a podium since 2021 at Jerez. Morbidelli’s best result in the last three seasons was fourth in Argentina in 2023 and Indonesia in 2024.
Neil Hodgson says Franco Morbidelli’s ‘strange’ 2024 season has ‘not gone to plan’
The 29-year-old switched teams in 2024 as he joined Pramac from the factory Yamaha squad after two disappointing final years in 2022 and 2023. But while riding a Ducati with Pramac, Morbidelli’s struggles have continued with his new machine.
Failing to score points in the first two races, the Italian has suffered five retirements across the season and sits ninth in the standings going into the final race in Barcelona with 161 points.
Speaking on the commentary during qualifying at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Neil Hodgson outlined that Morbidelli’s season has ‘not gone according to plan’ in what has been a ‘strange’ year for the Italian.
The former Superbike World Champion also stressed that Morbidelli can be ‘pleased about’ securing his future for 2025, as he will remain on a Ducati bike but will move from Pramac to VR46.
Hodgson said on TNT Sports 2 (16/11, 09:54): “It’s been a strange season for him, it’s not gone according to plan. But he has got the chance again next year, he’s got another contract. So, he’ll be pleased about that.”
Jorge Martin is under pressure to wrap up the 2024 MotoGP title on home soil
As the final race of the season fast approaches, Morbidelli’s Pramac teammate Jorge Martin is on the verge of securing his maiden title over his rival Francesco Bagnaia.
The Spaniard missed out on the 2023 championship to Bagnaia, and he comes into his home event with a 24-point lead over the Italian, putting him in a strong position to seal the deal.
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Sylvain Guintoli believes Barcelona is Martin’s ‘defining weekend’ and he faces the pressure of wrapping up the MotoGP title at his home race, having never been in this position before.
Martin will be looking to take the number one with him when he leaves Ducati at the end of the season. The 26-year-old will be moving over to Aprilia for the 2025 season.