Franco Morbidelli was born in Rome to a Brazilian mother and an Italian father. His father was a former motorcycle racer and recognised his son’s potential early on. Morbidelli’s father had learned of motorcycle training in Tavullia through an old companion of Graziano Rossi, the father of 9-time world champion Valentino Rossi so the family packed up and moved to support Franco’s racing ambitions. Morbidelli would go on to become one of many young racers taken under the wing of Valentino Rossi and the first official member of the VR46 Academy. 

Morbidelli won the 2013 European Superstock 600 championship before officially moving into Moto2 for the 2014 season. He remained in the series until 2017 when he would win the title with 12 podiums including 8 wins. In 2018, he made his MotoGP debut with the Marc VDS Team and won rookie of the year. In 2019, he moved to Petronas Yamaha SRT where he remained until mid-way through 2021 when he would move up to the Factory Yamaha team after they parted ways with their rider Maverick Vinales. Morbidelli has remained with Monster Energy Yamaha for the 2023 season.