Morbidelli deals with pressure of expectations

Morbidelli, the 2018 Rookie of the Year, is looking to continue where he left off when MotoGP testing resumes at Sepang later this week.

The Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) rider was impressive at the first two pre-season tests in Valencia and Jerez in November, where he placed sixth in both outings.

The Italian, who will be riding alongside rookie Fabio Quartararo for SRT this year, said he is hoping to continue making improvements to the YZR-M1 bike which had suffered some tyre wear issues last year.

Morbidelli is riding the same spec bike as Movistar Yamaha pair Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales this season.

“I had a chance to feel that lack of grip when the tyre is worn (in early tests).

“All three of us — Maverick, Valentino and myself — are working closely with Yamaha to overcome this,” said the 24-year-old.

“We have great support from Yamaha, a lot of their people came to see me and and asked my impression of the bike.

Not one to mince his words, Morbidelli admitted that he does feel the burden of expectations going into the new season but made it clear he is determined to do the team proud.

“You always feel the pressure, our job (rider) is made of pressure. But I feel okay with it and I like to deal with it.

“I feel that I am part of a big thing (with SRT) and I will try my best do what I have to do to bring this team, this bike and these colours to the top.”

Morbidelli ended last season in 15th place overall with 50 points, pipping Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah to the Rookie of the Year title by only four points.