Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Start San Marino GP with New Rider Line-Up 16.09.2021: The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled straight from MotorLand Aragón to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the first of two races held at this track this season (Round 14 and Round 16). It will be a special event, as Franco Morbi

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled straight from MotorLand Aragón to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the first of two races held at this track this season (Round 14 and Round 16). It will be a special event, as Franco Morbidelli will be reunited with former teammate Fabio Quartararo, this time in the Factory Yamaha pit box.



Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP is looking forward to commencing this weekend‘s Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, which the team and new recruit Franco Morbidelli consider their home race.



Fabio Quartararo is determined to put his mark on the upcoming race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli after a disappointing end to the Aragon GP. He enjoys the San Marino track and is feeling positive about his potential here this weekend.



The Frenchman is leading the championship with a 53-point advantage over his closest rival. Whilst he doesn‘t bother about the standings too much, his goals for this weekend do include a visit to the San Marino rostrum again. He stood on the podium there once before when he scored a second place in the MotoGP class in 2019, and he also came close last year when he took a fourth place in the Emilia Romagna GP.



The San Marino race weekends are always special to Morbidelli, especially because he rode his very first Grand Prix at the Misano circuit in the Moto2 class in 2013. This time round the San Marino GP will be even more special, as he will make his highly anticipated comeback after injury as well as his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP debut.



The Italian opted to have surgery on his knee on 25 June. Following a rehabilitation programme, he is now ready for action again. However, the recovery process did mean he missed five race weekends (the Dutch GP, Styrian GP, Austrian GP, British GP, and the Aragon GP). He is currently in 17th position in the rankings, with a total of 40 points.



The Misano circuit, constructed in 1972, was a regular scene for Italian Grands Prix throughout the 80s and early 90s. The 4.2 km track is ridden clockwise, since a radical renovation was done to meet MotoGP's safety regulations in 2007 that put the circuit back on the MotoGP calendar. The upgrade also included a new chicane, resulting in the current lay-out of six left and ten right corners, and giving the track increased race excitement.




Fabio Quartararo


"I was a little disappointed with how the Aragon GP ended, but that was mainly because we did good work leading up to the race. But what‘s done is done. It‘s only natural that sometimes the lead decreases, and then it can increase again. I‘m not worried by it.



I just want to focus on doing a good race here this weekend. I really like Misano, and we will be racing here twice, so that‘s something I‘m quite excited about. For sure, we will work hard this weekend and do our best."




Franco Morbidelli


"The main feeling right now is that I'm really looking forward to jumping on the Factory M1. I really want to start working with the team and start making laps with the bike because it's been a long time that I haven't been riding, and I'm starting to feel a bit uncomfortable.


So I'm really looking forward to riding again. Moreover, my comeback is going to be in such a great environment - Misano is a circuit I know well and like a lot - and on a great bike. I'm really looking forward to practicing my sport again!"




Massimo Meregalli
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, Team Director




We are looking forward to this race weekend. The entire team always enjoys the Misano track a lot, and we think of it as our ’home GP‘. The atmosphere here with the fans in the grandstands is something very special. Fabio is also very keen to start the San Marino GP.


He likes the Misano circuit. He got a podium here once before in the premier class, and we expect that we can do a good job here again this weekend. This Grand Prix is also very significant for the team for a second reason: Franky will be joining us for the first time.


We are so pleased to have him back in the paddock after his injury, and the team will fully support him this weekend to make the transition as easy as possible. So, all in all, we think we will be in for an exciting race weekend. Of course, we also have the test here on Monday and another round following the GP at COTA, so we are motivated to get off to a good start and hit the ground running on Friday morning."



 



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