The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider worked on the time attack and on the long run in Day 3 of Sepang test, with very positive results.
The first 2025 tests ended in a positive way for Franco Morbidelli, the only rider in the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team garage also in the last day of testing. Fabio Di Giannantonio has already arrived in Italy, and he is waiting for his left collarbone surgery. Lots of work also in Day 3, where the rider and the team kept finding more and more syntony.
Morbidelli finished the Sepang test with a 4th position, just two tenths far from the quickest on the timesheet. Even if Franco ended Day 3 before the chequered flag, he completed 41 laps, with the fastest one in 1’56”948 – just four riders rode under 1’57. This time is faster than his qualifying lap in 2024.
The feeling on the time attack improved, but the rider and the team are very happy with the rhythm too. Morbidelli tried a long run, 16 laps completed with a very good race pace.
Next tests will be at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, next week, on the 12th and 13th February.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
“We got the aim of these three days of testing, which was getting to know each other and understand some more things of the bike that I couldn’t explore last year. Actually, I felt better than 2024 and I could improve my lap time compared to last year’s qualifying. My feeling is really good even if is just the third day with this new team. There are positive things about having the 2024 package, one of the mis for sure having the focus on yourself and what you need to do without trying too many things in terms in development. The potential of this bike is very high”.
PABLO NIETO - Team Manager Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
“We must be happy for Franco, but we are also a bit sorry for Fabio. Franco got along very well with the team, we worked really well. It’s true that he already knows the bike, but that was our first time together on track since Barcelona tests. I think we are on the right way, and this is very positive. Unfortunately, Diggia injured himself in the first day of testing. We know that his surgery takes 15 or 20 days to recover, but it’s a pity to miss winter tests. In Day 1 he was very fast, he will recover and we hope to be ready as soon as possible for the first race”.
