Franco Morbidelli completed the recent Buriram testing session in seventh place, showing improvement on his MotoGP bike and expressing optimism heading into next weekend’s season opener in Thailand. Despite recognizing a substantial performance gap to the leading Aprilia RS-GP bikes, Morbidelli emphasized that he is faster and more comfortable on his machine than last year, reinforcing his hopes for better race outcomes.
Morbidelli reflected on the progress made throughout the test days:
“It’s been a very positive five days of testing, where we worked well and adapted well to the new bike, so I’m happy,”
he said.
“Compared to 2025, I was four tenths faster. Next weekend, I’ll have to replicate that performance or even improve on it. In particular, we still need to make progress in terms of consistency and race management, the latter being something I’ve focused on this winter, as well as pure speed.”
He further acknowledged the performance gap with the Aprilia team but remained upbeat about his riding experience, stating,
“Everything went pretty well, even though there is a big gap to the RS-GP bikes. In general, I feel better on the bike, it allows me to push harder and is faster on the straights. Everything is smoother, which helps me perform better, but maybe the conditions we encountered also helped,”
said the 31-year-old rider.
Di Giannantonio Bottles Encouragement Despite Physical Strain
Fabio Di Giannantonio, finishing ninth, described the testing as physically demanding but ultimately fruitful. Focused on preparing comprehensively for the opening race, he revealed that extensive testing of new parts slowed outright speed compared to previous sessions but improved overall competitiveness.
“It was a tough session from a physical point of view because I was always on the track trying to test everything that was on the programme. I wanted to have a clear idea for the first GP, and I’m happy. I think we have a good package. Certainly, compared to Malaysia, the speed wasn’t the best, but that’s because we tried so many new parts. Beyond that, we were competitive, and we can finally go to the first race with a basic setup that we lacked last year. Overall, I’m satisfied because we’ve made progress,”
Di Giannantonio commented.
Despite prioritizing setup and testing over race pace during this period, he remains confident in his potential for growth.
“For the rest, I think I have room for improvement in terms of the race, having worked little on performance and racing these days and more on new things to try for the whole season,”
he added.
When asked about his future beyond this season, Di Giannantonio stayed measured:
“I don’t know anything about it. For sure, something will come out, and that’s normal because we’re in a hot period of the market,”
he said.
“Personally, I feel lucky to be in a great team with a super bike, so I’ll try to have fun and give my best this season because we have a great chance. I also have a lot of confidence in my management team. Of course, we have various plans, but I’m not focused on that, and I’m not saying that because I want to hide something. Yesterday, I was practicing starts at sunset, and I realized I had to enjoy it.”
Roman Confident and Ready After Second Year with the Team
Di Giannantonio, sometimes referred to by his nickname Roman, confirmed that he feels physically strong and well-prepared after intensive offseason training with the VR46 team.
“Compared to 2025, I’m ten steps ahead. Physically, I feel very strong, so I’m happy with the work done with the team that helps me prepare. I’m almost surprised because even when I’m tired, I feel I can push to the max, and this is the first time that’s happened to me since I’ve been in MotoGP. I have great energy, and that’s already a plus. Then, being in my second year with the team and having had time to try many things, I feel much more ready,”
he explained.
Regarding race tactics, particularly slipstreaming, Di Giannantonio said he did not follow the Aprilia riders during testing but occasionally stayed behind Yamaha riders like Rins and Miller by chance.
“Was there anything that surprised me? I would say no,”
he noted calmly.
Outlook for VR46 Team Entering 2026 Season
The encouraging test results leave the VR46 squad hopeful as they approach the 2026 MotoGP championship kickoff in Thailand. While the performance gap to Aprilia remains a challenge, Morbidelli’s improvements in speed and bike handling, alongside Di Giannantonio’s physical readiness and evolving setup, indicate potential for competitive progress. The riders’ focus on race consistency and management may prove crucial in closing gaps during the season.
With both riders confident and energized during these preparatory weeks, the upcoming race weekend in Buriram is poised to provide clearer insights into how the VR46 team’s efforts translate on race day, aiming to enhance their standing in the fiercely contested MotoGP field.
