until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
Franco Morbidelli has become the first rider to confirm a spot at the Petronas SRT Yamaha MotoGP team for 2021, signing up to extend his deal with the Malaysian team for two more years
While attention has been focused so far on who will join him as Fabio Quartararo steps up to the factory Yamaha team – with SRT understood to have agreed a deal with Valentino Rossi – it’s good news for both rider and squad to get these negotiations out of the way before the 2020 season even begins.
The news was confirmed this morning as the first of a slew of rider announcements expected in the coming days ahead of the delayed opening round of the season on Sunday at Jerez.
The 25-year-old Italian-Brazilian racer, a long-time Rossi protege, said staying put was an easy decision.
“We had such a great season together last year, working with a great drive to achieve success,” said Morbidelli.
“I think it’s important for me to continue with the same team, bike and environment going forward as it feels great to work with them. We all work well together and it’s great fun to work with all the Petronas SRT crew.
“I want to thank them for this opportunity that they are giving me as it’s such an honour to ride for them.
“I will be working hard to give them even more and even better results than we achieved in our first year together.
“I’m now looking forward to getting racing again to show our potential and I’m just so happy to have the chance to keep on doing what I love to do with a team I love.”
The deal was no shock after team principal Razlan Razali confirmed to The Race last month in an exclusive interview that SRT was in the final steps of keeping Morbidelli.
It makes sense for the sophomore squad given that the other side of the garage is expected to be radically different given the expected arrival of Rossi – something that Razali hinted at today.
“We are delighted to confirm that Franky will continue with us next year,” he said.
“He is an extremely talented rider and a great asset to the team as we look to build on our rookie season.
“Franky was always in our plans for the future so it is beneficial for us and him to be able to confirm that he will ride for us in 2021 and 2022 now.
“Franky has the potential to reach the top step of the podium and this is what we’ll all be working hard to achieve. We have absolute faith in Franky even before this season has started.
“We are confident that Franky has what it takes to be competitive from Jerez and know that he will develop and mature in all areas through the years ahead.
“Franky will provide the team with stability and competitiveness and we can’t wait to be back on track.”
It’s now believed news of Rossi’s successful contractual negotiations will not be officially confirmed in the short term.
The Race’s sources have suggested the official announcement won’t emerge until at least the Austrian round of the championship next month.
