After Yamaha's recent announcement regarding their 2024 signing of LCR Honda's Alex Rins, there's been much talk on the future of the rider he is replacing, Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™).
With limited space on the 2024 grid, it's now or never for the Italian if he is to extend his MotoGP™ career. The Italian seems quietly confident regarding his future, and when asked Ducati Corse Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti spoke very fondly of the 2020 runner-up.
“I think Franco Morbidelli is in a difficult moment, but he has great talent. We would like to see Morbidelli on a Ducati next year. We will see what happens in the next few weeks,” Ciabatti explained.
Ciabatti spoke more broadly about the future of the Ducati lineup, and with a plethora of fast riders under their wing, the Bologna factory has plenty to think about.
“At the moment it is no secret that we would like to be able to give Marco Bezzecchi a factory bike, he is having a very good year, winning races. We have to clarify our ideas between today and tomorrow to be able to give him a factory bike next year”.
“The decision will not be made between today and tomorrow, but we will clarify the ideas with the team and the rider to decide between Austria”.
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