Franco Morbidelli Responds to Ducati WorldSBK Links

Franco Morbidelli gave a cagey response when pressed on growing links to a factory Ducati WorldSBK seat for 2026. The VR46 rider will lose his MotoGP seat at the end of this season.

The Italian made his MotoGP debut in 2018 as reigning Moto2 champion, with his best season coming in 2020 when he scored three wins and finished second in the standings. However, he has struggled to recapture that form since and is set to be replaced by Nicolo Bulega at VR46 in 2027.

Morbidelli has emerged as the favourite to take over Bulega's plum factory Ducati ride in WorldSBK next season. When asked about this on Thursday at the British Grand Prix, he remained tight-lipped. "I cannot talk about that right now, I'm sorry," he replied.

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Asked if he was happy with how his 2027 negotiations were going, he was equally evasive. "I'm living my dream life," he said after a pause. "I'm racing with motorcycles and doing my dream job, my dream sport and my dream life. I don't see how I can't be happy with the life I'm having."

According to GPOne, Bulega's Ducati WorldSBK seat is set to go to either Morbidelli or Moto2 championship leader Manu Gonzalez. Gonzalez's hopes of MotoGP progression now look over, with Moto2 team-mate Senna Agius set to race with Tech3 in 2027. Morbidelli appears favoured by team management, who are reportedly keen to retain a strong Italian presence on the factory Ducati.

Of the remaining seats, VR46 will pair Fermin Aldeguer with Bulega, while Trackhouse is likely to partner Raul Fernandez with Enea Bastianini. At Pramac, Toprak Razgatlioglu is set to be joined by Izan Guevara. Gonzalez is open to a move to WorldSBK with a factory team, otherwise he will remain in Moto2 with Intact GP.