The 2026 MotoGP season is shaping up to be a dramatic one, especially for Franco Morbidelli. His upcoming challenge might just be the talk of the town. Morbidelli is set to ride Ducati's 2025 bike, a machine that has sparked a lot of controversy in the MotoGP world.
Morbidelli, a VR46 rider, has been on the GP24 for the past two seasons. Interestingly, this bike is considered one of the greatest in MotoGP history, boasting 16 wins out of 20 races in 2024. However, Morbidelli never managed to secure a victory on it. Despite only achieving two podiums in 2025, he managed to secure his spot for the 2026 season. But here's where it gets tricky: he's now moving up to the GP25.
Ducati's 2025 Desmosedici model was a hot topic last year. Most riders, except for Marc Marquez, seemed to have a hard time adapting to it. Francesco Bagnaia, in particular, was vocal about his dissatisfaction with the bike, and eventually, he opted to use GP24 parts. Morbidelli's teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, faced similar struggles with braking and corner entry, mirroring Bagnaia's issues. This could be a cause for concern as Morbidelli prepares for the new season.
During the Sepang test, Morbidelli's crew chief hinted that he would be riding the GP24 this season. However, Morbidelli's interviews at Sepang suggest that he might have tested the GP25. Initially, Morbidelli didn't seem bothered by Bagnaia's complaints about the 2025 bike. But, as reporter Jack Appleyard observed, Morbidelli may have finally understood Bagnaia's frustration after feeling 'lost' on the soft tire during testing.
Appleyard noted, 'He gave a very GP25-like interview... He felt comfortable in the morning with the medium rear tire, but in the afternoon, he was lost on the soft tire.' This experience might have given Morbidelli a taste of what Bagnaia went through last year.
If Morbidelli ends up on the GP25 in 2026, it could be a make-or-break season for him. The 2025 Ducati, despite being similar to the GP24, was a struggle for Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio. Ducati's team seems at a loss for solutions, as evidenced by Davide Tardozzi's inability to explain Bagnaia's issues. Adding to the intrigue, Marquez was spotted testing the 2024 aero at Sepang, indicating Ducati's focus on improving the GP24 rather than the GP25.
Morbidelli's future in the sport hangs in the balance. Rumors suggest that VR46 might drop him in 2026 as Valentino Rossi looks to sign new riders for the 2027 season. With so much at stake, Morbidelli cannot afford to have a poor season.
And this is the part most people miss: Will Morbidelli be able to adapt to the controversial GP25, or will he face the same struggles as his predecessors? The MotoGP world eagerly awaits the answer.
