Franco Morbidelli will be happ🍒y to return to Portimao in just under two weeks time where he finished third last season after a to😼ugh double header in Losail. 

The Italian who remains on the year old spec M1 Yamaha, was unable to shꦗowcase the form that became a constant in 2020 and saw him finish as🃏 title runner-up. 

After suffering some mechanical issues throughout Friday and only tenth place in qualifying, Morbidelli finished the race in 12th position, which comes after a no♔ score in the opening r🌟ound. 

When summing up his time in Qatar, Morbidelli said: "A difficult𝔍 10 days here in Doha. We struggled to understand well how the package was working. 

"This morning we did a big modification. We went back to a⛎ configuration similar to 2020 at the beginning for the year. In the race it was better than the last one for sure. I was engaged and able to fight. 

"Starting from 10th ✃position and not having the fastest bike on the pack was really tough to fight. At least I had theღ chance to do it. 

"Then the 𓂃problems, similar problems to the beginning of 2020 came. I finished the tyre too soon and I wasn’t able to be consistent and fast ജall race."

In the risk that tyre chaꦇt starts to dominate the toওpic of discussion, let’s remember that Qatar is a very tyre specific circuit, and as the riders head to Europe this should become slightly less relevant at certain circuits. 

A posi𒀰tive however for Morbidelli, was the fact this was an improved area from race one to race two. 

Morbidelli said: "We improved this compared to the last race. I𓄧 improved the feಌeling compared to the previous 9 days. That’s a good thing. 

"Of course it’s not what we want but it’s a good thing. Have to be positive and tha🐲t is why we were able to improve the feeling. 

"A bit worrying but that’s what helped us🌼 today and what was useful today. We made the right choꦑices, I would say."