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Franco Morbidelli hasn't had an easy season. The beginning was complicated by an injury, which didn't allow him to work on the bike and, therefore, it left him always chasing a set-up and a balance on the GP24 that was slow in coming. He had alredy been progressing the past few races but, in terms of satisfaction, the season has been rather stingy so far.
But all of this came to an end on Saturday at Misano, when Franco Morbidelli came in first and was able to gain a gratifying front row in qualifying, alongside the poleman, Bagnaia. An opportunity that the Italian-Brazilian was then able to seize in the race by keeping up with the fastest, the two title contenders: Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia. He then defended himself from a very aggressive Bastianini who, as usual, performed well in the last stages of the race. He's third on the podium, at "a good 1,225 days since the last one", Morbidelli emphasized, with disappointment.
So the Pramac team rider's satisfaction is comprehensible. He was then praised by his teammate and friend, Bagnaia, who called him "the real Frankie". But even if the Italian allowed himself a sigh of relief, he doesn't lie to himself, aware that it won't be easy to maintain this level. Asked about possibility of being the needle on the scale in the duel between the two favorites in the title fight, Morbidelli has no doubts: "I'd like to have that kind of problem."
In the end, you resisted Bastianini's attacks.
"It was a podium that we needed," an excited Franco Morbidelli said. "It was a fantastic Saturday. We did the right things and worked well. The performance has been great since yesterday. A very positive Saturday. I made a good start and managed to keep my distance from the first two. This allowed me to observe them better, and there are definitely some areas where I can improve. I knew that Enea would try an assault on the last lap. I had managed to keep some margin, but I know how fast he is in the last stages of the race. He tried to let off the brakes, but he went a little long. He tried."
Some say it's just a Sprint.
"It's a different kind of race. The riders give it their all and get the most out of everything ... the bikes, the tires. So it has its own value, and today I fought with two riders who are at the peak of competitiveness right now."
The podium here in Misano is special.
"I have great memories at this circuit, and now I'm making new ones thanks to the friends and fans in the stands. Racing and doing well is special."
You've missed the podium for a while.
"Yes. 1,225 days."
You counted them. What were you thinking about as you crossed the finish line?
"I thought about my team. I also had a thought for them and the work we've done together since the beginning of the year. I also thought about the criticism we received. I can handle it, but it was important for them to handle that kind of criticism, as well. They never showed me a second of weakness, and I owe this achievement to them."
Years have passed. Do you think you're back to the levels you were in the past?
"To be able to say I've returned, I'd first have to win again, because I was winning back then. We still have margins with this bike. We're working, but it's not easy to do so quickly."
Is this result a middle finger to your critics who thought you were not a rider capable of remaining up in the standings?
"There's a saying that goes 'haters will always hate'. Those people who criticize sometimes are a push to do better, but I don't feel like giving them the middle finger."
In the last laps, you were also catching up with Pecco. A good sign, also in view of the long race?
"Yes, in the last two laps Pecco had slowed down, but tomorrow will be a different race. We'll have to decide what tire to use, and the pace will be less tight. I haven't made a decision yet on strategy for tomorrow."
Pecco said today's was the real 'Frankie'. He said people underestimate you.
"I'd like to repeat this level again tomorrow but, most of all, I'd like to come back and win," the Italian rider admitted.
How close are you to getting there?
"Two positions," he said laughing."
What made the difference today compared to the last races, just a better qualifying?
"Also, but now I know the bike much better."
Yesterday, when asked what you'd do if you had ended up fighting with Martin or Pecco, you said you'd have to be there first. Today, we saw a real possibility. What do you think?
"Today, I could've maybe overtaken Pecco but, in the end, there was no chance. I missed something. Bagnaia and Martin remain the two most competitive riders on the grid. If we continue on this level, surely the chance to fight with them will come again, then we'll have to assess what's best for me, for the team, for Ducati and, obviously, for the riders involved. It won't be an easy choice, of course, but we'll try to make the best decision possible. To be honest, I really hope to have this kind of problem in the near future."
It would be an added pressure for a rider.
"It's a problem I'd really like to have this year."
@Ph. Pier Luca Brunetti
