Franco Morbidelli leaves: a MotoGP career that raises questions

After nine MotoGP seasons, Franco Morbidelli is set to move to the World Superbike Championship in 2027. Ducati has confirmed the Italian’s place in the Aruba factory team, where he will race alongside Iker Lecuona. Morbidelli will take over the Panigale V4R from the newly crowned world champion Nicolo Bulega, giving him one of the most promising opportunities for a fresh start in racing.

For the Roman, it also marks a return to familiar territory: in 2013, Morbidelli won the European Superstock 600 Championship title whilst in the Superbike paddock. His career then took him through the Moto2 World Championship – where he claimed the title in 2017 – and on to MotoGP.

Moto2 title, MotoGP wins and a runners-up finish – but after that, his career began to falter

He made his debut there in 2018 on a Honda and was named Rookie of the Year. His move to Petronas Yamaha marked the start of his most successful period. In the chaotic 2020 Covid-19 season, Morbidelli won three Grands Prix on a Yamaha from the previous year that was actually considered inferior and finished the championship as runner-up. Morbidelli was regarded as one of the up-and-coming MotoGP champions. However, looking back, 2020 was the season in which he most clearly demonstrated his potential at the very highest level.

Franco Morbidelli zeigt eine schwache MotoGP-Abschiedssaison

Foto: Gold & Goose

He was unable to replicate this success in the years that followed. Following his sudden move to the Yamaha factory team, Morbidelli went through a difficult period. A complicated knee injury set Morbidelli back and prevented him from achieving better results on the factory M1.

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Nor did the move to Ducati bring a return to regular victories. Once again, Morbidelli had to cope with a setback: during pre-season preparations for the 2024 season in Portimão, he suffered a heavy crash on his Superbike and missed the tests. Morbidelli has been riding the Desmosedici since 2024, initially for Pramac and, since 2025, for VR46. His MotoGP career has thus been characterised by one outstanding season and several years in which he was unable to consistently live up to the expectations of the time. The question remained as to just how good Rossi’s protégé actually is and what role his injuries played.

No compromises on his fresh start: the best bike and the best team

At Aruba-Ducati, Morbidelli now has the chance to regularly compete for victories and a world championship title once again. “I’m very happy and looking forward to this new chapter in my career. I’d like to thank Ducati and Aruba for this opportunity. As always, I’ll do my best to live up to the standards of a team that has been competing at the top for years and has just won the Superbike World Championship. I’ll do everything I can to ensure we achieve great results together,” he explained.

For team principal Stefano Cecconi, what counts most – alongside Morbidelli’s MotoGP experience – is his familiarity with the Michelin tyres, which are set to be introduced in the World Superbike Championship in 2027.

“We welcome Franco with great enthusiasm and are convinced that he will bring us much joy. The 2027 season will bring several changes and will be a major challenge for both the rider and the team. But setting ambitious goals is part of our DNA,” emphasised Cecconi.

Nicolò Bulega ist Superbike-Weltmeister 2026

Foto: Gold & Goose

“Franco brings valuable experience from many years in MotoGP with top-tier teams. This is also important in view of the introduction of the new tyres, which he knows very well and on which he can provide us with valuable feedback. Although he is switching categories, he will remain on a Ducati. This ensures continuity in his working methods and technical approach. We can’t wait to embark on this new adventure and to share our work and our goals with Franco.”

Ducati Corse boss Luigi Dall’Igna also sees Morbidelli as a valuable addition to the Superbike project. “We are delighted to welcome Franco to the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati family. Franco is a highly talented rider who, throughout his career, has demonstrated speed, technical acumen and adaptability at the very highest level of motorbike racing. After many years in MotoGP, he brings extremely valuable experience to our Superbike project.”

“We are convinced that his in-depth knowledge of the Ducati environment and our way of working will help him with the transition. We consider this aspect to be particularly important in view of the new technical challenges in 2027. Together with Aruba.it Racing, we have built up a successful project over the years. We believe that Franco has everything it takes to keep us at the top. We can’t wait to embark on this new journey together.”

The prospects for Morbidelli’s fresh start are therefore promising. At the same time, he is taking over the seat of a world champion in a team that expects victories. After a mixed run of years in MotoGP, the Italian will have to prove whether he can make the most of this opportunity.