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With a podium in Argentina and two fourth places, the season for Franco Morbidelli has started on a different note from the difficult debut in Ducati last year. The Italian-Brazilian, who is fourth in the championship standings with 55 points, therefore faces the fourth round in Qatar with very good expectations, also aided by the presence of Valentino Rossi, whose experience in the box will be of great help to the two VR46 team riders.
"The weekend definitely started better than last year," Morbidelli began, "because I was coming in difficult conditions. This is already positive in itself, we wait and hope to have a clean weekend, because until now we have always found obstacles. In Thailand the penalty, in Argentina the Q1, in Austin the problem with the suit. However, the problems are getting smaller and smaller, so I would need a weekend without any hiccups."
Valentino's arrival here in Qatar could be a support, not only morally but also technically.
"I'm looking forward to the first weekend together with the boss, together with Vale. I'm very curious, I know him very well so I know the way he's going to come and support his team, and I'm looking forward to being able to work with him and observe what he says because it is of incredible importance. So I'm looking forward to the weekend for several reasons, and one of them is just because Vale will be with us."
In Austin you were among the riders to change bikes.
"When I saw the other riders come back in for the bike change, I decided to do the same," Morbidelli said, "I wasn't sure if I would run the risk of a penalty, but I think the decision made by race management was the safest for us riders, they protected us, it was good and sometimes that doesn't happen."
How do you evaluate Crafar in his new role?
"I have already experienced him to the full because in Thailand I was the first MotoGP rider to enter his office and the first to receive a penalty from him. The way we dialogued and in which he explained his reasons was open and I really liked it, it made me accept the penalty better."
