Marco Bezzecchi
The majority of the MotoGP grid are going to be free agents at the end of the 2026 season, ahead of a new regulations cycle for the following campaign.
It means that the MotoGP rider market is going to be fascinating for fans to watch over for the next 12 or so months.
Every single manufacturer has two open seats, and it could provoke a lot of chaos. Ducati are bound to be number one, and then the satellite rides around them, such as VR46 and Gresini should fill up.
There are some individuals who need to perform better if they want to keep their careers going for another season, though. Franco Morbidelli is one of them.
You are Luigi Dall’Igna. Pick your SIX Ducati riders for the 2027 MotoGP season 👇
Morbidelli’s inconsistency cost him a Ducati GP26 at VR46, after Valentino Rossi decided that he hadn’t impressed enough on one of their machines.
There were a few overtaking and amusing blunders in 2025, which have left Morbidelli on ‘thin ice’ at Ducati for the future. It means that he’s under a little more pressure than some this winter.
READ MORE: Aleix Espargaro reveals what his thoughts were when Franco Morbidelli hit him at the Valencia GP
Franco Morbidelli told he needs to stop doing ‘crazy’ things in 2026
MotoGP stewards took ‘special’ measures against Morbidelli and placed him under observation at the San Marino Grand Prix.
He was getting caught up in so many incidents that it felt like a race ban was a genuine possibility for him at the time.
MotoGP fans slammed Rossi for retaining the Italian rider for another year in 2026, but he finished seventh in the standings because he can be really quick.
VR46 decided to retain Franco Morbidelli for 2026. Does he deserve a ride?
The talent is there, but as Mat Oxley mentioned on the Oxley Bom Podcast, he needs to stop doing ‘crazy’ things in 2026. If he doesn’t, it will be hard for VR46 and Ducati to justify keeping him.
“You think back to 2021 when he nearly won the world title on a Yamaha with an engine that had done about 50,000 miles, you know?” he said.
“He was so beautiful to watch on that thing. He’s just a bit all over the shop and still doing too many crazy things. God love him, but Frankie [has to do better].”
Why Franco Morbidelli is a useful member of VR46’s team for 2026
Heading into 2026, Morbidelli offers VR46 and Ducati a bit of stability ahead of a big set of changes for the following season.
They might have felt it was pointless to have a fresh start and teach a new rider everything they must know, before it all changes just 12 months later.
Instead, Morbidelli gets the chance to resurrect his career, and he’ll be on level ground with teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio this time.
His main rival had access to a factory bike this season, which might have been a disadvantage at some events, but there’ll be nowhere to hide in 2026.
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