For the Italian, the Grand Prix of the Americas was, and still is, something of a reevaluation after shining in Argentina, where he achieved his best results in a long time, finishing fourth in both the Sprint and Sunday at Termas.
This flash has focused the spotlight on Franco Morbidelli, who will end his contract at the end of the year and Yamaha has given him time until the summer to prove whether he deserves to stay in the factory team of the Iwata manufacturer, which also let the rider test Turkish Toprak Razgatlioglu earlier this week in a private test in Jerez.
The first opportunity to demonstrate that the Italian’s “recovery” is on the right track, Saturday in Austin, did not end as Franco had hoped.
“It was a very tough race, because unfortunately we weren’t able to get into Q2. We should have started 8th and instead we started 14th. And in the group we suffer a lot with our riding style and then with the pressure (of the front tire ) skyrocketing, you can’t drive. You form a little train and then that’s it. It’s a shame because when the temperatures rise and you’re in a group, you can’t do anything, the front tire overheats and you can’t drive anymore It’s a shame because it takes away from the show and surely Michelin will have to do something about these front tyres,” he said, referring to the sole MotoGP tire supplier.
One of the factors that penalized the only two Yamaha riders in the race was the increase in temperatures compared to Friday. Fabio Quartararo, who was fourth in the first laps, crashed when he was in sixth position and, despite managing to finish the race, he finished 19th.
“The jump in temperature was incredible. Normally, if it’s really hot, everyone does their job with the settings, there’s more time to adjust, but today there wasn’t time. The change in temperature was very abrupt, so if you start from the back, you risk crashing or ending up at the back of the group”.
Franco Morbidelli, Yamaha Factory Racing, Kevin Schwantz
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The Italian stressed that the increase in heat was a determining factor, but the main problem for the M1s remains the front tyre.
“What ruined Fabio’s race and mine was the high temperature of the front tyres” when riding behind other riders.
In MotoGP, as in F1 ten years ago, today we talk less and less about riders and more and more about technology.
“Certainly the aerodynamics and the lowerers, among others, have made the category much fairer, the distances are very small, but the level is very high, without a doubt. With these technological solutions, the tires are probably more in crisis and it’s more difficult to make a difference. Everything is closely linked to the tires for good performance: temperature, time attack… The details are increasingly important and they’re the ones that make the difference,” he says.
However, all this technology and progress depends on the performance of Michelin tyres, with which you have to start from the front if you want to stand a chance.
“Yes, starting up front is very important, fundamental. Being up front in the first laps is decisive, many riders risk too much to stay up front, there are accidents… It’s like a vicious circle”, reflects the Roman.
“Certainly for the home crowd it’s fun. But what I would like to say is that it could be even more fun if the front tire worked better. We have to do something asap. But I don’t see any will or speed in reacting to this problem.” scolds Morbidelli.
Franco Morbidelli, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
#MotoGP #Morbidelli #Michelin #front #tire