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Franco Morbidelli just one year ago was forced to skip the first test session at Sepang, starting 2024 off on the wrong foot and then devoting himself to a recovery that obviously took time. But things have changed quite a bit since then, because today Morbidelli took the pleasure of finishing the second day of testing ahead of everyone else, demonstrating a very good fit with the new team.
"It has a great effect, it's undeniable," Morbidelli explained, "It's what we were hoping for, it's the start we were hoping for, both me and the team. It's the start that a team like this deserves. We started in the best way yesterday, being fast, still finishing in 5th position. But still, the really important thing is to be fast all the time. Even today, despite all the big workload we did to make up for my lack of work last year, we still managed to do a great flying lap, which is what I lack. Everything is really very positive, it's the beginning, and it's a very good start."
What is this performance due to? Your form, the competitiveness of the bike, the work of the team?
"It's always a combination of things that make you go well. The team works impeccably, I feel at home. Unfortunately, Diggia was missing today because of his injury so they were all there with me. To feel that kind of energy from the team is great and it helps you definitely work better. Tomorrow is the third day, we will try to continue our work, exactly in this way, because it is going very well. We'll try to do two good time attacks, we'll see how it goes. If we have to improve, we will try to improve. If it's going very well like today, anyway, we'll try to improve, because it's never enough. We will also try to learn more things and continue this fantastic work that we have started."
Did you miss having fun on the bike?
"I always have fun on the bike, that's what I love to do, riding is my favorite thing to do. As I have always said in the past as well, especially in the Yamaha years, the worst day on the bike is still better than the best day in normal life for me. Of course I'm happy anyway to be going strong, because these are definitely not the worst days, they are in fact the opposite. The fact that it's just the beginning gives me a huge boost."
But is it also a relief in some ways to start this way?
"It was already a relief to know that I was going to come to the tests, because last year ... it's not so obvious and so already that's a great thing. To have a chance to work, prepare for the season with the new team, make the changes, get into a rhythm together. It's very important to approach the season in the best way and that's a very big thing."
And with Matteo Flamigni, how is it going?
"Very well, Matteo is a great technician, an engineer, very passionate about this job, very passionate about the team. As I said it's an honor to be able to work with him because I've known him since I'm a child and I've seen him work with my idol since I was a child and so he was part and still is part of Vale's team for me. And so to be able to work with him is still a thrill and I told him that I'm going to try to make it fade away as soon as possible and focus as much as possible on the work and what's missing as soon as possible."
Have you heard from Diggia?
"Diggia I heard that he was coming home, he should have arrived, now the whole recovery starts, we are waiting for him."
But has your schedule changed because of his absence?
"The program has not changed much, although I don't have Fabio by my side, because he has another package, another bike, so we are following two different programs."
Is there still an exchange with your Ducati teammates, even with Pecco and Marc?
"For sure there are things that can improve by taking cues from the Ducati 2024. They are in a moment of development, so there are things they can take from the Ducati 2024, to improve even the Ducati 25, if the Ducati 25 has to improve in some areas. But I don't know because I haven't tested the Ducati 25."
You said you are happy today, what makes you happy about the bike?
"The fact that I am in P1."
Is working with VR46 different in any way?
"It's a unique opportunity, a unique style of working with a team. It's a team like a family, but with something more. It's like a family where everyone loves the sport and has the same goal. It's a unique approach and a unique opportunity to work together. I grew up in this environment and now, at this time in my life and for my team that is perfect, we are together. We are trying to do some great things, we have started very well and we have to continue like this."
