Franco Morbidelli showed promising performance during the second day of the MotoGP test at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit, continuing his solid form after the Sepang sessions in Malaysia. Although being the last of the Ducati factory riders at Sepang and Buriram, Morbidelli’s determination and focused approach helped him secure a strong position ahead of the upcoming season, demonstrating the progress made on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s GP25 bike.
Adaptation and Progress Under Challenging Conditions
After finishing sixth in Malaysia, Morbidelli approached the Buriram test with confidence. He maintained his steady pace despite the high heat, completing 59 laps on the first day and finishing third with a lap time of 1’29.451. Throughout testing, he concentrated on refining bike settings, comparing various electronics and chassis setups to effectively adjust to the circuit and tire performance.
“It was a positive day; we tried to adapt the setup to this circuit. We compared different electronic and chassis solutions, and it went well. We were able to adapt effectively to the track and the different tires. I like the new aerodynamic package, which is a little different in some areas. The plan for tomorrow is to continue working on the setup and do a race simulation. We’ll also try some timed runs in the morning. I feel good, I’m looking forward to the season starting, we’re fast. The test is off to a good start, and that gives me even more motivation and confidence for the beginning of the season.”
?Franco Morbidelli, Rider
Steady Improvement on Final Testing Day
On the second day in Buriram, Morbidelli improved his best lap time to 1’29.071, placing seventh in both the combined standings for the day and overall rankings for the two days of testing. In the afternoon, he completed three brief stints of 5, 3, and 6 laps respectively, which fell short of a complete race simulation, but indicated his continued effort to adjust and fine-tune his performance.
Morbidelli maintained a positive outlook, praising the capabilities of his Yamaha-based machine as he adapts to new aerodynamic features and settings.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season Kickoff
The conclusion of the Buriram tests wraps up the winter MotoGP testing phase for Morbidelli and his team. The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will soon return to the circuit for the Thai Grand Prix, set to open the 2026 season from February 27 to March 1. Morbidelli’s encouraging test results, combined with his growing confidence, set an optimistic tone as the rider prepares for the competitive season ahead.
