Marco Bezzecchi
Franco Morbidelli had started the 2025 MotoGP season in such promising fashion before crashing out of the Spanish Grand Prix.
In four events he hadn’t finished lower than fourth, including two podiums during his debut campaign for the VR46 team.
Morbidelli suffered a heavy crash at turn 11 during the Grand Prix of Spain, and while no fractures were found, he was diagnosed with a significant cervical concussion.
It’s particularly bad news because he was badly affected by a similar incident last year, which took him a while to fully recover from and see him return to his best MotoGP form.
Morbidelli ‘got scared big time’ after his pre-season crash at Jerez last year, and admitted that it had a big mental impact on him.
VR46 have ‘issues’ with Morbidelli after clashing with his new teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio early in their tenure, but things seem to have calmed down a little since the third round of the season in Texas.
Why Franco Morbidelli’s latest MotoGP crash at the Spanish Grand Prix isn’t good news
Despite his fall, which wasn’t captured by TV directors, nor were any replays shown, Morbidelli still sits in a comfortable fourth place in the riders’ standings.
In fact, he’s still 21 points ahead of his teammate. Alessio Salucci loves Morbidelli’s approach and has been nothing but impressed with him since his arrival.
They’ll now be hoping that the 30-year-old can make a speedy recovery in time for the Grand Prix de France in less than two weeks.
Speaking on X (formerly known as Twitter), The Race’s Simon Patterson shared an update on the Italian’s status after the race in Jerez.
“Given Franky’s recent history with a very significant traumatic brain injury, that doesn’t bode well,” he said.
READ MORE: What Franco Morbidelli ‘secretly’ did during MotoGP testing after instruction from Ducati hierarchy
Why Franco Morbidelli’s latest MotoGP crash is concerning for his future
It’s most worrying that Morbidelli has suffered another concussion not only for his health, but also for his career.
There are so many severe concussions that one can go through before their body cannot take it anymore. Eventually, doctors will advise against racing anymore.
Allowing time for proper rest will be important, and having no fractured or broken bones is a positive too, but rushing back won’t do any good.
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro replaced Di Giannantonio at the last round of the season in 2024, and may be the first choice if Morbidelli faces a spell on the sidelines.
Although he will be eager to return, the grid saw exactly how MotoGP can bite when you come back too soon with Jorge Martin’s ‘disturbing’ incident in Qatar.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
