Franco Morbidelli Balaton Park MotoGP is set to make an exciting return this weekend as the Hungarian Grand Prix takes place at Balaton Park, a new addition to the MotoGP calendar since 1993. Morbidelli, riding for VR46 Ducati, expressed cautious optimism about the safety and challenge the circuit presents.
Riders Prepare for Balaton Park’s Grand Prix Premiere
This weekend marks Hungary’s return to MotoGP after nearly three decades, with Balaton Park hosting its first grand prix race. The venue previously held World Superbike events in late July, where the circuit received varied feedback from riders. During the recent summer break, Ducati’s MotoGP team tested their Panigale V4 bikes at Balaton Park, familiarizing themselves with the track’s nuances.
Mixed Rider Opinions and Morbidelli’s Perspective
Ducati Lenovo Team riders Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia shared contrasting views on the Balaton Park layout at last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. While Marquez maintained a positive stance, Bagnaia was more critical. Morbidelli aligned more closely with Marquez’s viewpoint when discussing the circuit at the Red Bull Ring.
Morbidelli described the track as “a beautiful circuit” and acknowledged its narrow yet highly technical nature. He noted,
“It will be an interesting weekend. We’ll have to see what tyres they will bring and how the MotoGP will adapt, it’s a track of a kind that we’ve never tackled before.”
Reflecting on the circuit‘s character, he compared its first sector to that of Sachsenring.
Safety Assurances and Season Context
Addressing safety concerns, Morbidelli commented,
“As for safety, there should be no problems.”
—Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team rider
Morbidelli arrives at Balaton Park after a challenging weekend in Austria, where he finished 11th in the main race and 14th in the Sprint. Currently ranked fifth in the championship standings, he trails Marco Bezzecchi, who secured third place at Spielberg, by 34 points.
Track Conditions and Weather Outlook
During the World Superbike round at Balaton Park in July, weather conditions remained mostly dry with some rain on the final morning. Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlioglu dominated the event, winning all three races. This weekend’s weather forecast for Balaton anticipates mainly dry conditions with temperatures in the low 20s Celsius, though Friday morning may see some rain.
As the MotoGP field prepares to tackle Balaton Park for the first time, riders and teams will be closely evaluating track behavior and tyre performance throughout the weekend, making this debut a pivotal moment in the season.
