Franco Morbidelli, now part of the VR46 Ducati team, is gearing up for the Mandalika MotoGP with heightened expectations due to his new backing by Pertamina, the state-owned Indonesian oil company. This marks his first Mandalika race with VR46, adding a layer of significance as the team has been supported by Pertamina since the start of the 2024 season.
Although Morbidelli has already experienced Italian tracks like Mugello and Misano this year, he describes the Indonesian GP as having a “home” feel, partly because of strong local support and recent promotional activities in Jakarta. These engagements have allowed him to connect with the passionate crowd, which also means the pressure to perform is elevated.
Definitely it feels like a home GP this Mandalika GP,
Franco Morbidelli told the pre-event press conference in Mandalika.
“We’ve been to Jakarta. We arrived yesterday from there. We spoke with a lot of people from Pertamina and a lot of meetings and PR with the Indonesian crowd and you could sense that there’s a lot of passion for our team and a lot of hype on the results.
So, we have extra pressure on this weekend. Me and Diggia [Fabio Di Giannantonio] will try to do the best, we will try to bring the yellow Ducatis – that are going to be a little bit different on Sunday – as ahead as possible.
Morbidelli Aims to Improve Podium Count in 2025
Morbidelli’s 2025 campaign has shown consistent top-six finishes across Sprints and main races, tallying 16 such results out of 17 rounds. Despite steady performances, he has reached the podium only five times and is eager to build on that record in the remaining races of the season.
It’s been a solid season where we’ve finished in the top-five, top-six most of the time,
Morbidelli noted.
“At the same time, we didn’t finish on the top-three most of the time – that’s our final aim, seeing the speed and the consistency we are able to have when we do our work in our way.”
It’s great, it’s been anyway a great starting season with the team because anyway it is the first season together, but we are striving for more.
Reflecting on Last Year’s Mandalika Performance and Looking Ahead
Last year, Morbidelli was closely involved in the battle for a MotoGP podium in Mandalika, finishing just off the podium in fourth after a late pass from Francesco Bagnaia. That near-miss fuels Morbidelli’s optimism for this year, as he feels confident in his pace and readiness. Despite a qualifying crash last year that forced him to start ninth, he managed to fight back impressively during the race.
We know every year is a different story,
Morbidelli said. “But definitely last year Mandalika was one of the best GPs for me, I had an incredible speed.
“I made a mistake in qualifying, I crashed and I started ninth, but anyway we were able to fight for the podium in the main race which was impressive.”
“Unfortunately, Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] was able to beat me in the last stages of the race.
“Let’s see what we can do this year. Definitely we arrive in a great rhythm, we are quick, we are consistently in the top-five.
We want to step it up, definitely. Let’s see what we can do.
Building Momentum for the Remaining Races
Morbidelli’s blend of experience, solid performances, and close connections with the Indonesian crowd give the VR46 Ducati rider a unique edge heading into the Mandalika GP. This race is an important opportunity for both him and teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio to capitalize on their equipment’s evolving capabilities and meet the expectations surrounding the team’s partnership with Pertamina.
The pressure to succeed is palpable, but Morbidelli’s hopeful and reflective outlook demonstrates his determination to convert consistency into podium finishes. With a strong season foundation laid, the Mandalika round could be pivotal for his ambitions as the championship progresses.
