Franco Morbidelli moves to Pramac racing for 2024

Franco Morbidelli to Join Pramac Ducati Team for 2024 MotoGP Season

Franco Morbidelli, the 2017 Moto2 champion and a member of Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Academy, is set to ride for the Pramac Ducati team in the 2024 MotoGP season after losing his factory Yamaha ride. The Italian rider will take the place of Johann Zarco, who is headed to Honda, and will be partnering with Jorge Martin at the satellite squad.

Pramac team boss Paolo Campinoti expressed his delight at welcoming Morbidelli to the team, emphasizing Morbidelli’s champion caliber and expressing confidence in his abilities to compete for deserving positions within the team. This shift marks an exciting chapter for Morbidelli, who had long-standing links with Yamaha but was replaced by Alex Rins for the upcoming season.

Initially, there were rumors of Morbidelli joining the VR46 team due to his strong ties with Valentino Rossi. However, Marco Bezzecchi’s decision to stay with VR46 cleared the way for Morbidelli to secure a spot at Pramac. Ducati general manager Gigi Dall’Igna also expressed pleasure in having Morbidelli join the Pramac Racing team for the upcoming season.

Dall’Igna highlighted Morbidelli's talent and experience, citing his impressive performances, including being the runner-up in MotoGP in 2020 and clinching three Grand Prix victories. He emphasized the belief that Morbidelli will showcase his full potential with the Pramac Racing team and Ducati's support, eagerly anticipating the exciting journey ahead.

With this move, Pramac Racing has largely solidified its rider lineup for 2024, with only Gresini among the three satellite Ducati teams yet to announce its rider lineup. The anticipation remains high for the upcoming season, and MotoGP fans are eager to witness how Morbidelli’s transition to the Pramac Ducati team will unfold and the impact he will have on the racing circuit.