KUALA LUMPUR - Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) principal Datuk Razlan Razali is optimistic that their rider Franco Morbidelli can be the MotoGP champion this season.
He said the target is achievable by the Italian as the rider finished as runner-up last season after collecting 158 points out of 14 races although he struggled to make podium finishes in the early rounds.
“Early last year, he (Morbidelli) did not appear consistent because of machine problems and had an accident in the race in Austria, which somewhat affected his performance.
“But after that, he was more consistent than the other riders and that was why he was able to finish in second spot (last season). If he does not face technical glitches (this season), he can be world champion,” he said.
Meanwhile, Razlan said he believed Morbidelli will be lured by manufacturer teams, like Ducati and Honda in 2022, if the rider emerges as the MotoGP champion this season.
He, however, stressed that any team interested in getting the services of Morbidelli in 2022 must pay suitable compensation to Petronas Yamaha SRT as the rider had signed a contract with them up till 2022.
Last season, Morbidelli had won the San Marino Grand Prix (GP), Teruel GP and Valencia GP, apart from making podium finishes at the Czech Republic GP and Portugal GP.
Morbidelli will team up with compatriot, seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, formerly of Monster Energy Yamaha, in the MotoGP this season. – Bernama, January 20, 2021.
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