Mercato MotoGP: Zarco’s successor found for 2024?

The mid-season has already begun and the line-ups for the 2024 season are beginning to take shape. Everything was rushed after the announcement of Franco Morbidelli’s departure from Yamaha. The Japanese manufacturer and the Italian part ways after several years of collaboration. Despite many difficulties encountered over the past two years, the Yamaha rider has shown his potential. In 2020 he finished 2nd in the Drivers’ Championship standings just behind Joan Mir with Suzuki. A vice-champion title that not all drivers want to accumulate. Next year, Alex Rins will replace him. At Honda, Johann Zarco has announced his arrival at the Japanese brand. So where could Franco Morbidelli go? For next season, the Pramac track seems to be possible for Ducati.

Morbidelli chez Ducati?

After studying several possibilities for the 2020 vice-champion, the most likely seems to be the Italian manufacturer Ducati. A handlebar is available from Pramac, Jorge Martin is not threatened and Zarco will not be there next year. This track is serious, the Italian rider is part of the VR46 academy, most riders protected by Valentino Rossi ride a Ducati. Paolo Ciabatti, sporting director at Ducati, spoke about the Morbidelli option at the microphone of Sky Sport Italy.

“It’s a possibility”, declared the sporting director of Ducati Corse. “A possibility which would make us happy in any case. We believe that with a very competitive bike and with the motivation to be able to show what he showed us in 2020, when he finished second in the championship winning races, Franco could be competitive. But it’s a choice we still have to think about this week. This is probably the most real possibility, although we prefer to announce things when we have finalized all the details.

Paolo Campinoti, team principal at Pramac, has also shown his interest in Franco Morbidelli.

“At the moment we haven’t decided who will be Johann’s replacement, but it will be a difficult choice. Morbidelli would be a good bet and it could be a very interesting lead. For now, however, we wait.”