KUALA LUMPUR - After underwhelming performances in the first two races of the season, Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) are confident that Franco Morbidelli will secure a podium finish in the upcoming race at the 2021 Portugal MotoGP next weekend.
Team principal Datuk Razlan Razali believes that Morbidelli will shine in his third race of the season at the Algarve International Circuit, Portimao, based on the Italian rider’s good record in the same circuit last season.
The 26-year-old rider then finished third in the last race of the 2020 season, behind winner Miguel Oliveira from Red Bull KTM Tech 3 and second-placed Jack Miller of Pramac Racing.
“We have a good data to look at and compare between the last race in Qatar … we should fight and be there (Portugal MotoGP) for podium,” he told Bernama recently.
However, Razlan warned his riders to keep an eye out for other competitors especially the Ducati Lenovo Team as they had improved tremendously and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing that always performed better in Portimao.
He hoped that another rider, Valentino Rossi, will come out much stronger in Portugal to finish among the top five by working on improving his bike setting and riding style.
Razlan felt that the rear shock absorber problem was the root cause of Morbidelli’s abysmal start to the season while Rossi had a difficult experience on his bike setting in the first two races of the 2021 season.
Morbidelli finished 12th while Rossi ended in 18th place in the first race of the season at the Grand Prix (GP) of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit last month.
Last weekend, Morbidelli finished 12th while Rossi came in 16th at the GP of Doha, held at the same circuit.
The 2021 Portugal MotoGP is slated to be held from April 16-18. - Bernama, April 10, 2021.
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