Morbidelli: This is what makes Ducati ‘the best’

Despite three wins and five podiums at Petronas Yamaha, Morbidelli couldn’t come close to repeating those results after being parachuted into the factory Monster team in place of Maverick Vinales during 2021.

Although closer to team-mate Fabio Quartararo this season - the pair are currently tenth and twelfth in the world championship - Yamaha decided a change would be better for both parties and signed Alex Rins for 2024.

Morbidelli was soon tipped for a satellite Ducati seat, initially on a year-old bike at VR46.

But when Academy stablemate Marco Bezzecchi turned down a factory bike at Pramac to remain with Valentino Rossi’s team, Morbidelli moved into pole position for the Prima-backed ride.

The 28-year-old will thus join current title contender Jorge Martin on a GP24, identical to the factory spec of Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini, next season.

So how does Morbidelli judge the Desmosedici, looking on from the outside and what makes it so strong?

It’s a bike that not only fills the top three places in the world championship - with Bagnaia, Martin and Bezzecchi - but has won 22 of the 28 races so far this season.

“I think that clearly, Ducati is doing a wonderful job,” Morbidelli said. “They were able to do a beautiful job since 2017 actually, when Dovi was the only one that was able to fight with Marc.

“And from then on, the package has been just improving and we can see the results now.

“I wouldn't say perfectly, but the bike suits very well the tyres, the aerodynamics, everything that is required right now. Everything that is on the rulebook right now, Ducati is extracting and getting the maximum from.

“That's their strength. They're just close to the maximum in every area: On using the tyres, on the electronic side, on the aerodynamic side, on the chassis side, they are close to the maximum.

“For sure there are areas where other brands can be better, but on average, on the overall side, the final deal, they're the best.”

The other six race wins this year have been divided between Aprilia (3), KTM (2) and Honda (1).

KTM's Brad Binder (fourth) is the top non-Ducati rider in the world championship, with Aleix Espargaro the leading Aprilia in fifth, Quartararo top Yamaha in tenth and Marc Marquez the highest Honda in 15th.

Ducati also benefits from grid numbers with eight Desmosedicis vs. four KTMs, four Aprilias, four Hondas and two Yamahas.