Old MotoGP bike causing "shadow of frustration" – Morbidelli
Franco Morbidelli admits there is a “shadow of frustration” hanging over him having to ride a two-year-old MotoGP bike in 2021 and has had a “frank” discussion with Yamaha.
Despite finishing as top Yamaha rider in 2020 and second overall in the championship, Morbidelli remains on the 2019 ‘A-spec’ M1 he rode last season and has struggled.
Morbidelli was able to get into podium contention in Portugal and claimed third in last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, but hasn’t hid his displeasure at not having factory machinery in 2021.
The Petronas SRT rider has discussed the situation with Yamaha and says it “understood” his feelings – with both parties agreeing he was caught “unlucky” by various factors.
“Yeah, I spoke with Lin [Jarvis],” Morbidelli said on Sunday at Jerez.
“I told him my thoughts about the situation and I was really frank with him.
“He was really frank with me as well, he understood my feelings and he understood my situation.
“But we both finally came to the conclusion that I was unlucky because of the contracts, because of the COVID situation, because of many things going on.
“So, I was unlucky and I hope what luck was taken from me this year is going to be given back somewhere in life.”
When asked by Autosport if his Jerez podium was more satisfying because of this situation or if it was more frustrating given his technical situation, he replied: “This podium feels wonderful and it feels sweeter than usual.
Franco Morbidelli, Petronas Yamaha SRT, Johan Stigefelt
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“There is this shadow of frustration around us, that’s for sure.
“But when we manage to make good results we are just happy. I am just happy.”
Vinales too weak on brakes at Jerez
Factory Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales was unable to advance on his grid slot of seventh in the Jerez race as he was too weak on brakes.
The Spaniard was one of three riders to opt for the soft front tyre - which he felt afterwards was still the correct decision - and said he was pleased with his M1 overall, but couldn’t get into the podium fight because “I was not able to brake harder”.
“The soft was a good option for me, honestly I felt good potential on it,” Vinales said.
“Just I couldn’t close enough the gap to Mir and to the guys I had in front. I had good laps at the end of the race but not enough.
“So, it’s something we need to work on. Was a positive race for sure because I felt strong in many, many points on the track.
“But on the other hand, there’s some parts of the track where we need to improve – especially on braking area. I was not able to brake harder and this was my biggest issue.
“The rest was fantastic, the bike was on a really good level. I just wasn’t able to take out the maximum on brakes.”
Previous article
Mir “not worried” by winless start to MotoGP title defence
Next article
Quartararo undergoes surgery on arm after Jerez MotoGP race
Marc Marquez is back
MotoGP Starting Grid: Portugal Grand Prix
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
Marc Márquez's first ride after his injury
Marc Marquez continues his recovery
Why Quartararo’s Catalunya suit penalty highlights a wider issue in MotoGP
OPINION: Fabio Quartararo racing with his leather suit open and subsequent penalty has been the main talking point of the Catalunya MotoGP weekend, which has highlighted a wider issue with MotoGP’s stewarding that risks a negative precedent going forward
How MotoGP’s “beast” tamers bounced back at Catalunya
The expectation on KTM to replicate its winning form from 2020 this season made its difficult start to the new MotoGP campaign even more disappointing. But a key update has seen KTM's fortunes reversed over the last week and returned it to the top step of the podium in Barcelona
The signs that point to Rossi's MotoGP retirement
It's not been a happy start to 2021 for Valentino Rossi at the Petronas SRT satellite squad, with performances that are a shadow of the rider that utterly dominated MotoGP at the start of the new millennium. At the age of 42, how much longer can he go on?
Why the most significant Le Mans MotoGP performance wasn't Miller's
Hot on the heels of his first MotoGP win in five years, Jack Miller made it two from two with a commanding French Grand Prix victory at Le Mans despite two long-lap penalties. Impressive though it was, it was an expectation-defying performance from an anticipated title rival that was the real standout
The impossible problem Honda faces with its 2021 MotoGP bike
Honda hasn’t enjoyed an easy start to the 2021 MotoGP campaign, despite gains last season which looked to have carried over into the pre-season. Now admitting it does have issues in serious need of resolving, it faces an almost impossible task in doing so
How Jerez underlined MotoGP's speed problem
The brutal nature of a series of crashes at Jerez has reopened the debate about whether current MotoGP speeds are beyond the safety limits of the tracks. But even if riders are supportive of the move, getting the manufacturers to find a consensus on how speed reductions should be achieved may be altogether harder
How a Crutchlow helped Miller to Jerez MotoGP redemption
Jack Miller’s tough start to life as a factory Ducati MotoGP rider left him mentally battered and bruised, but a pep talk and positive reinforcement from a surprising source aided the Australian to show his full potential with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix
What does Marc Marquez have to do to get back to his best?
Following his resounding MotoGP return with a seventh place finish in Portugal, Marc Marquez now must work to rediscover his best form before turning his attention towards results-based targets
