Franco Morbidelli Archives

PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team Riders Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli to Receive A-Spec Yamaha YZR-M1 in 2020

Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli of PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team will receive A-Spec Yamaha YZR-M1 bikes for the 2020 season.
The deal was struck at the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Both riders rewarded Malaysian fans with 1-2 fastest lap times in FP1 and FP2.

Both Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli of PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (PETRONAS Yamaha SRT) will receive A-Spec Yamaha YZR-M1 bikes for the 2020 season.

The team is currently running factory bikes. However, one is A-Spec and the other B-Spec machine. The arrangement is without doubt due to the stellar performances shown by both riders this season.

Although the spotlight had mostly been on Quartararo, Morbidelli has also performed well to score front row starts as well as important points for the team. He was only unlucky to have been taken out a number of times by other riders.

As such, PETRONAS Yamaha SRT is currently lying fourth in the Teams Championship. They are also leading the Independent Teams scoreboard with 58 points clear over the next team.

Running an extra pair of A-Spec bikes is also a positive move for the factory team, consisting of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinalez. Yamaha will have extra data to speed up development of the factory team, which will also benefit the satellite team.

It’s a homecoming race for the PETRONAS teams (including the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Teams in Moto2 and Moto3) and the partisan Malaysian fans will definitely support them over the weekend.

They weren’t disappointed. Both riders recorded the fastest times in both FP1 and FP2.

Quartararo was the fastest of the pair. First, he set a blistering time of 1m 59.027s in FP1, which was just 0m 00.004s off Dani Pedrosa’s outright lap record of 1m 59.023 set in 2015. Proceeding to FP2, he destroyed the record with a time of 1m 58.576s. The Frenchman could’ve gone faster but appeared to have been held up by Hafizh Syahrin on the next lap.

Quartararo’s feat was even more impressive considering that he’s still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained at Philip Island, Australia last week.

Franco Morbidelli in PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team for Endurance World Championship Round at Sepang

MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli will join the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team squad for the FIM Endurance World Championship round in Sepang International Circuit.
He will join two other riders namely Hafizh Syahrin and four-time Suzuka 8 Hour endurance winner Michael van der Mark.
The round will take place from 13^thto 15^thDecember 2019.

MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli will join the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team squad for the FIM Endurance World Championship round in Sepang International Circuit.

Morbidelli’s draft ends months of speculation that he will be one of the riders for the Sepang stint. He will join two other riders namely Hafizh Syahrin and four-time Suzuka 8 Hour endurance winner Michael van der Mark.

The squad will be supported by the YART Yamaha EWC squad who were former winners of the EWC. As such, the three riders will play their parts in riding the Yamaha YZF-R1.

The 2020 EWC opens with the Bol D’or in France before heading to Sepang for the second round from 13^thto 15^thDecember 2019. However, the Sepang round has a large significance to the EWC as it will form the qualifying round for “irregular” EWC teams to qualify for the Suzuka 8 Hour race.

Additionally, the race also features an FIA World Touring Car Cup round back-to-back.

Morbidelli expressed his concerns about riding in an endurance race. “I’m curious to see how an endurance race format suits me, and am really looking forward to it.”

Team Principal Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali is confident about the team’s prospects given the two MotoGP riders in addition to a multiple Suzuka 8 Hour winner. “We have faith that Franco, Michael, Hafizh and YART will deliver and we’re targeting the very top step of the podium.”

Source: PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team

PETRONAS Yamaha SRT Principal Dato’ Razlan Razali: Many Told Us Fabio Quartararo was the Wrong Choice

PETRONAS Yamaha SRT Principal Dato’ Razlan Razali said that many thought Fabio Quartararo was the wrong choice before the start of the season.
Fabio is currently returning unexpectedly great results to the team.
The PETRONAS Yamaha SRT outfits will be the home team in the Malaysian MotoGP round.

Things definitely looked different when the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) CEO and PETRONAS Yamaha SRT Principal, Dato’ Razlan Razali announced plans for Malaysian MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 teams last year.

Now the MotoGP team is performing not just beyond expectations, but no one would’ve dared to even give a thought about where the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team is now. The scene was telling during the Yamaha Motorsport Launch at SIC just after the winter tests and prior to the season opener in Qatar.

While every journalist fielded questions to the factory Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP squad (mostly to Valentino Rossi, actually), Dato’ Razlan and his two riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo put up their best smiles while sitting quietly in between the factory and PATA Yamaha WorldSBK teams.

Because journalists know that the answers would’ve been, “We do not expect great results from the year ahead. We hope to finish every race and learn along the way.” Or anything to that effect.

Oh, how things have changed. Now every hack wants an interview with Dato’ Razlan and co.

The driving force is of course the super rookie Fabio Quartararo’s exploits. He’s been a consistent frontrunner and not afraid to mix it up with the Big Boys.

“When we announced him as our second rider, a lot of people told us we made the wrong choice – but now everyone agrees we made the right decision!” Dato’ Razlan said in an interview.

“There’s no way we expected to be in this fantastic position after only twelve rounds of the 2019 season. We were hoping for Franky to deliver top six performances and for Fabio to target rookie of the year. We didn’t expect both of them to do what they’re doing and we’re extremely happy and satisfied with them. To be able to deliver such strong performances for our title sponsor is key, and we’ve achieved even more than what was desired based on the targets we set at the start of the year,” he continued.

Dato’ Razlan is quick to credit the team, saying that the riders wouldn’t have performed so well without support. The team has since grown to 48-strong and enjoys good ambience and chemistry. But he is also quick to acknowledge that the team is young and nothing is 100%. Still, there’s no reason for him to feel proud.

“I also couldn’t be more proud as a Malaysian to finally have our own Malaysian MotoGP team. We can tell fans and media from across the globe that we’re Malaysian and we can act as our country’s ambassadors. We’re proud of that role and I’m honoured to be able to represent the country in the paddock.”

Speaking of the Malaysian MotoGP round, he added that, “The Malaysian Grand Prix is our home race, it’ll be the first time our MotoGP team will compete at Sepang, and we expect the riders to do well in MotoGP and Moto3, and if Pawi can come back in Moto2, then he can do well too!

“We’re already anticipating a bumper crowd with 200,000 spectators over three days, and 115,000 on race day. It’ll be a huge event for us, and we can’t wait.”

Dato’ Razlan concluded the interview by iterating that both Quartararo and Morbidelli will continue with the team in 2020.

Razlan Mahu Quartararo Dan Morbidelli Beraksi Di Sepang 8 Hours

Pelumba MotoGP, Fabio Quartararo dan Franco Morbidelli dikhabarkan akan beraksi di Sepang 8 Hours hujung tahun ini.

Menurut laporan Crash.net, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Litar Antarabangsa Sepang (SIC), Dato’ Razlan Razali mahu menyaksikan kedua pelumba pasukan Petronas Yamaha itu beraksi dalam pertandingan sulung yang akan berlangsung pada 14 Disember ini.

“Kami di SIC mahu menyaksikan pelumba MotoGP beraksi di Sepang 8 Hours. Ketika ini kami sedang berbincang dengan pengurus mereka.

“Kedua-dua pelumba (Quartararo dan Morbidelli) mempunyai kelapangan pada bulan Disember. Pada masa sama saya berasakan perlumbaan ini baik untuk mengekalkan kecergasan mereka ketika musim cuti MotoGP.

“Saya juga telah memperjelaskan kepada mereka, ‘ini adalah acara Endurance World Championship (EWC) sulung kami jadi kami mahu kamu beraksi’. Ketika ini kami masih belum membuat keputusan tentang pelumba ketiga,”jelasnya.

Pada masa sama Razlan turut berpeluang menampilkan EWC sulung dengan barisan ‘all-star’ sekiranya setiap pelumba daripada pasukan Petronas Yamaha Sprinta dapat turun padang antaranya, Jonas Folger, Khairul Idham Pawi, Mattia Pasini dari Moto2 dan Ayumu Sasaki serta John McPhee dari Moto3.

Sementara itu, wakil tunggal negara dalam kelas premier MotoGP, Hafizh Syahrian turut mempunyai kelapangan pada bulan Disember apabila kontraknya bersama KTM tamat musim ini.

(SUMBER: Crash.net)

Marquez Akui Terkejut Dengan Kepantasan Quartararo, Morbidelli

Marc Marquez mahu merampas kedudukan Fabio Quartararo dalam perlumbaan di Jerez yang akan berlangsung hari ini.

Fabio Quartararo – pelumba pasukan Petronas Yamaha – membuat kejutan di Litar Jerez dalam aksi kelayakan semalam apabila menjadi pelumba termuda untuk menduduki petak pertama, sekaligus memecah rekod yang sebelum ini dipegang Marquez.

Sementara itu, rakan sepasukan Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli akan memulakan perlumbaan di petak kedua di hadapan Marquez.

Minggu lalu, Marquez kecundang di GP Amerika – meskipun mendominasi litar tersebut selama enam tahun sebelum ini – namun pelumba berusia 26 tahun itu berharap dapat kembali ke podium di laman sendiri.

“Saya masih gembira kerana dapat menduduki kelompok depan kerana bukan mudah untuk melakukan pintasan di litar ini.

“Saya tidak menjangkakan kedua pelumba di depan mampu mencatat masa yang sangat pantas! Tetapi saya akan terus berikan yang terbaik di perlumbaan nanti,” katanya.

Ketika Marquez melakar rekod sebagai pelumba termuda yang berjaya menduduki petak pertama, dia kemudiannya meneruskan kecemerlangan di Austin pada tahun 2013.

Quartararo berharap dapat mengikut langkah Marquez di samping memperbaiki rekod terbaiknya kedudukan ketujuh di MotoGP.

“Saya langsung tidak menjangkakan keputusan ini.

“Saya berasa teruja untuk memulakan perlumbaan di petak pertama,” tambahnya.

(SUMBER: StadiumAstro)

Spanish MotoGP 2019: Quartaro and Morbidelli Qualify First 1-2 for Petronas Yamaha SRT

Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli qualified 1^stand 2^ndat the Spanish MotoGP 2019.
It was the first pole position and 1-2 qualifying result for the new Petronas Yamaha SRT team.
Quartararo also became the youngest rider to score a pole position.

Rookie Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli qualified 1^stand 2^ndfor today’s Spanish MotoGP. It was the first 1-2 qualifying result for the new Petronas Yamaha SRT outfit.

The results gave the fledgling team much to cheer about in just their fourth race. Both riders had been strong through the practice sessions, with Quartararo setting the leading pace.

In doing so, it was the first pole position in MotoGP for the youngster. Additionally, it reset the records as the youngest rider to achieve the feat, which was formerly held by Marc Marquez.ni

Speaking to MotoGP.com, Quartararo said that he had improved his braking from being his weakest point to his strongest.

Fabio Quartararo – Photo credit MotoGP.com

The Petronas Yamaha SRT team is using the same 2019 Yamaha YZR-M1 as the Monster Energy Yamaha factory team, but they are the B-spec bikes with lower rev limits.

Quartararo’s time of 1:36.880s was almost 8/10 quicker than the old record 1:37.653s set by Cal Crutchlow in 2018.

Morbidelli put in his fastest lap of 1:36.962s, followed by Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) at 1:36.970s, just 0.008s behind to round out the Top 3.

Andrea Doviziso (Mission Winnow Ducati) did well to qualify in 4^thwith a time of 1:37.018s despite the Ducati Desmosedici’s traditional dislike of the Jerez Circuit’s layout.

Maverick Viñalez (Monster Energy Yamaha) had struggled throughout the first three practice sessions but managed to qualify 5^th. The M1 still displaying a sensitivity to changing conditions. Qualifying was carried in cooler temperatures which benefitted the tyres.

Rounding out the Top 10 are Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati) Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda), Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar), Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Ducati).

The first 16 riders qualified faster than the previous year’s lap record, showing how far MotoGP progresses by the year.

Franco Morbidelli Gembira Dapat Hadiahkan Tempat Lima Teratas Pertama Buat Pasukan PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team

Franco Morbidelli gembira berjaya memperolehi tempat yang ke-lima dalam pusingan MotoGP “Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas”.
Teman sepasukannya dan penunggang rookie, Fabio Quartararo menamatkan perlumbaan tersebut di tempat yang ke-tujuh.
Ini adalah satu keputusan yang amat memberangsangkan buat pasukan PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team.

(more…)

Franco Morbidelli Happy to Take PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team to First Top 5

Franco Morbidelli was happy to finish fifth in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas over the weekend.
His teammate and rookie Fabio Quartararo crossed the line in seventh.
It was a great for the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team.

While everyone was transfixed by Marc Marquez’s early departure and the subsequent battle between Valentino Rossi and Alex Rins, Franco Morbidelli rode to fifth in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas over the weekend. It the first Top 5 finish for him and the new PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team.

Morbidelli fought hard against a resurgent Andrea Dovizioso of Mission Winnow Ducati but had to give way at the end. Dovizioso had qualified 13^thon the grid and fought his way up the field to eventually finish fourth. However, Morbidelli managed to defend his fifth position from Dovizioso’s team Danilo Petrucci.

It was Morbidelli’s best MotoGP result to date since joining the premier class last year.

“I’m very, very happy about this fifth position. We were starting a bit too far, because yesterday we had not a great qualifying. But I was confident that I could be fast in the race today” said the Italian.

His team was also very happy when MotoGP rookie Fabio Quartararo finished in seventh place, one behind Petrucci.

It was excellent results for the Malaysia-based team which didn’t exist a mere six months before the start of the 2019 season.

However, Morbidelli kept his pragmatic approach, saying that the team has to keep improving. “We need to work, we need to improve to get those 8 seconds here. Couple of seconds in Argentina. So we are missing something to get on the podium.”

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team (SRT) Mulakan Ujian Pra Musim Mereka

Khairul Idham Pawi yang sedang menguji jentera Moto2 yang baharu – Sumber imej: PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team

Pasukan PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team bagi kelas Moto3 dan Moto2 telah menjalankan ujian pra musim persendirian mereka.
Ujian ini telah mengambil tempat di litar halaman pasukan berkenaan, iaitu Litar Antarabangsa Sepang.
Ujian ini telah diadakan sebelum bermulanya ujian pra musim Moto3 dan Moto2 rasmi di Jerez.

(more…)

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team (SRT) Takes Over Pre-Season Testing

The PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team for Moto2 and Moto3 are currently conducting private pre-season testing.
The tests are taking place at the team’s home track, Sepang International Circuit.
The tests are ahead of the first official Moto2 and Moto3 pre-season tests at Jerez.

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Teams for Moto2 and Moto3 took to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in private pre-season tests starting 11^thFebruary. SIC is the team’s home track.

Team riders are Khairul Idham Pawi for the Moto2 class, and Ayumu Sasaki and John McPhee for the Moto3 category.

Their tests sessions followed in the footsteps of the third official MotoGP test which took place from 6^thto 8^thFebruary. The PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo put their Yamaha YZR-M1s through their paces for the upcoming season. The Yamaha factory later announced on 7^thFebruary that Quartararo will also ride the 2019 Yamaha YZR-M1 like his teammate Morbidelli’s and those of the factory Yamaha team.

Franco Morbidelli at Sepang Winter Test 2019 – Photo credit MotoGP.com

Khairul Idham Pawi #89 – Moto2

Khairul Idham Pawi and his crew continues their work on the new Kalex machine which is powered by the new Triumph three-cylinder engine. The tests will allow Pawi to familiarize himself further to the machine. He improved his pace as the day progressed.

Pawi testing new Moto2 bike – Photo credit PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team

The tests focused on the new engine initially, before moving to chassis, geometry and suspension set-ups.

Ayumu Sasaki #71 and John McPhee #17 – Moto3

The Sasaki/McPhee pairing concentrated on obtaining the optimum motorcycle base settings on the new 2019 Honda. Work focused on learning the new engine, chassis, and chassis geometry.

McPhee testing new Moto3 bike – Photo credit PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team

Both riders put in many laps to obtain the sizeable data required. Sasaki logged 51 laps while McPhee logged another 38.

Next Tests

Testing continues today and tomorrow. The two Moto2 and Moto3 teams will head to their official tests at Jerez, Spain beginning 20^thFebruary and Losail, Qatar from 1^stMarch. As for the MotoGP team, the final official pre-season test will begin from 23^rdFebruary. The 2019 MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar from 10^thMarch.

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