After points in his first two MotoGP races, Franco Morbidelli was left pondering a change of approach after sinking to 21st and last during a tough Austin Grand Pౠrix.

Over one-minute behind race winner Marc Marquez at the end of the 20 laps, the♎ reigning Moto2 champion is planning to🦩 go more his own way with set-up and riding style in the future.

"I st🃏ruggled a lot during this race to ride the way I like to and now we need to understand the reasons why and work to improve," said the Italian, who had qualified in 17th. "I feel I need to find my own way to set-up and ride this bike for my style. At the moment I am not there."

Team-mate and fellow rookie Thomas Luthi finished three places above Morbidelli, but still head🎐s to Europe yet to score a premier-class point.

"It is so difficult at this track in t🌱urn one when you start back on the grid, it was a big mess there," said the Swiss. "I lost some positions and was stuck back there for many laps.

"By mid-race I had problems with the front and it was difficult to turn the bike. At this trac🌠k we never found a really comfortable set-up although the work from the team is brilliant in helping me to learn as a rookie. We are motivated to improve."

Team Principal Michael Bartholemy added: "This has been the most difficult race for us so far in the 2018, with both Tom and Franco complaining about how difficult it is to ride the bik🍌e here.

"We will work to find a solution for the next race and make the bike෴ more comfortable. Not a perfect weekend in Texas but we will regroup for the next race i൲n Jerez."

Fellow Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami was the to𒈔p rookie at COTA, in 14t🦹h place.