Franco Morbidelli on his VR46 debut: "There's something special here"

"We possess something extraordinary, and it's crucial we make the most of it"

Franco Morbidelli is enthusiastic about taking advantage of his special bond with VR46 as he joins Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team for the 2025 season.

The Italian rider, who became the VR46 Academy's first world champion in Moto2 in 2017 and later won a MotoGP race in 2020, is transitioning from the Pramac team.

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In addition to being in a known environment, Morbidelli is among the select riders who will retain the same model of motorcycle in 2025.

This year, Morbidelli rode a factory Desmosedici GP24 for Pramac, the same bike that his teammate Jorge Martin used to clinch the championship. However, Morbidelli missed the entire pre-season testing period because of head injuries.

The ex-Yamaha racer, who previously finished as a title runner-up, secured a podium finish in the Sprint race at Misano, claimed fourth place at the Indonesian Grand Prix, and ended up ninth in the overall rankings.

During the Barcelona test on Tuesday, he made his first appearance with Pertamina VR46, finishing in seventh place, just 0.762 seconds behind.

"Morbidelli mentioned that today was crucial for familiarizing himself with the colleagues he will collaborate with in the coming year."

This encompasses Matteo Flamigni, who once served as Marco Bezzecchi's crew chief and was previously Valentino Rossi's electronics engineer.

"I have been acquainted with numerous team members for several years, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to collaborate with them," stated Morbidelli.

"I've admired Matteo since I was young; he made a name for himself with Vale as his electronics engineer, and we got along well."

Morbidelli expressed his respect for everyone in the team, highlighting the strong bonds and mutual understanding they share. He believes this unique connection is something special that should be utilized effectively.

"It's essential to utilize it to quickly establish connections and relationships in order to accomplish our goals."

The debut on Tuesday went smoothly according to expectations.

Morbidelli described the first day as excellent. He mentioned making adjustments to the bike to gain insights and enhance the understanding between him and his team.

"That will be the key factor next year. As we deepen our understanding of one another during these challenging times, our performance and responses during race weekends will improve."

"I enjoy the environment here; it has all the necessary elements for success. We put in a lot of effort, and I decided against using the soft tire at the end because the temperature was too low to enhance our lap time. All in all, it was an excellent beginning."

What about the unique types of leather?

"Lovely. I'm eager to see additional pictures as they were quite enjoyable."

Fabio di Giannantonio, who is on the same team as Morbidelli, was unable to participate in the test because he recently underwent surgery on his shoulder.

For two decades, Peter has been a prominent figure in the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from start to finish. Currently, he is closely involved with the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's ongoing injury challenges.

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Honda's MotoGP Test Results: Why Zarco Isn't Worried Despite 'Not Very Positive' Steps

LCR Racer Shares Thoughts on Barcelona MotoGP Testing

Johann Zarco expressed that his experience with the 2025 Honda during the post-season MotoGP test in Barcelona was "not very positive." However, he remains calm and is "not getting stressed" over it.

Joan Mir, a rider for the Honda factory team, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Japanese brand for not introducing new components during Tuesday's test in Barcelona.

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The 2020 world champion mentioned that all the components he experimented with for 2025 were advancements he had already tested earlier this year. He anticipated having additional new parts.

After completing 65 laps, Zarco secured the 10th position overall in the test and emerged as the fastest HRC rider. However, he was also dissatisfied with the progress of the bike he tested.

"We tried out a different bike, but the results weren't very promising," he started by saying.

The information suggests that it might be wise to avoid pursuing this path in February. When I switched from my current race bike to the new model, I focused on refining my riding technique and aimed to make the most efficient use of the bike.

"I had a great time today as I focused on short, high-quality runs, which was really enjoyable. We experimented with various approaches that resulted in some positive experiences."

Overall, the day was favorable, but in terms of Honda's goals for the upcoming year, it's necessary to hold a meeting to evaluate the situation and decide whether to continue pursuing the direction taken today.

"I believe they won't take that step. Overall, when we compare it to the other motorcycles, we've noticed enhancements in our engine."

"This is crucial since our bike isn't the quickest. Having power is essential to compete effectively on straight sections and secure advantageous positions for overtaking during braking."

"The vulnerable aspect of our bicycle is the control of the rear grip."

"We have yet to discover anything that would allow us to make progress. This grip control could aid in speeding up, but it might also assist in improving the braking section, which is currently our main weakness."

Zarco experimented with a new chassis among other modifications, but he mentioned that it diminished the strengths of the RC213V and failed to address its traction issues.

However, he remains calm and is not panicking because he believes that experimenting with something unsuccessful can still benefit Honda.

"I believe it was about focusing on the good aspects," he mentioned.

"Our vulnerable area remained unchanged, which is significant. That's the reason I'm not overly concerned, as our pace wasn't substantially reduced."

"Since our speed is still not on par with a Ducati, our upcoming measures need to enhance our lap time."

"For me, it was a productive day because we completed numerous strong laps, and I felt good focusing on improving myself."

"We conducted tests in various parts of the bike, received positive feedback, and gathered crucial information that will be analyzed over the winter."

"It's not an entirely new initiative, but the changes they introduced were not very beneficial for the riders."

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The overlooked standout performer at the 2024 Barcelona MotoGP testing event

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, Crash.net provides an analysis of the post-season test held in Barcelona.

Earlier this week, the 2024 MotoGP post-season test in Barcelona saw several significant modifications on the grid.

As everyone focused on new world champion Jorge Martin taking his initial spin on the Aprilia and Marc Marquez making his debut in the factory Ducati garage, another rider made a notable impression during his first experience with the KTM, albeit with less fanfare.

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Maverick Vinales transitioned from Aprilia to join KTM's Tech3 team for the 2025 season. He delivered a noteworthy performance by finishing 12th, positioning himself between the official RS-GP bikes as he adapted to the RC16.

In the latest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the hosts talk about Vinales' first impressions of the bike and analyze what insights can be gathered from his debut test ride on the KTM.

"Vinales found the transition to Aprilia intriguing and quickly developed an appreciation for the engine's power," stated Peter McLaren, Editor at Crash MotoGP.

"He likely had the highest top speed during the test. He also really enjoyed the starts; the KTM's starting performance is arguably the best in MotoGP, possibly even faster than Ducati's."

He thoroughly enjoyed that experience. He expressed some uncertainty regarding the high-speed turns, areas where the Aprilia excelled, but he mentioned that it felt quite good overall.

"At the beginning stages, you need to tread carefully regarding grip levels during testing, particularly if you're a manufacturer struggling with grip issues. Most of these factories are on the hunt for improved grip or traction in some form."

"It's important to exercise caution when forming conclusions from a Tuesday test, especially when there's already been a full day of racing on the track. However, Vinales mentioned that his initial reaction was very favorable."

Jordan Moreland, the Social Media Manager at Crash, commented, "He seemed very self-assured and appeared to be a perfect match."

Maverick possesses a flair that allows him to appear impressive on any motorcycle he rides. Whether it was the Suzuki, Yamaha, or Aprilia, he consistently looked great.

"It seems he's a valuable asset due to his extensive experience. Despite being tagged as unreliable, with unpredictable weekly performance, he's still regarded as a good person to have around."

"I previously mentioned that there will be a weekend next year when he will be competing for a victory."

In the words of Crash's senior journalist, Lewis Duncan, during the debrief he described it as "natural."

"I haven't seen Maverick so joyful in quite a while. He was genuinely delighted with the motorcycle and appreciates everything about it. Maverick believes he is the top starter in MotoGP, at least from the data he's reviewed, and he was amazed by the capabilities of the KTM."

"He is evidently thrilled about the transition to KTM. He has always been eager to try out the bike, and now that he has, it seems he's quite enthusiastic about the future."

"Clearly, we have to be somewhat skeptical about Maverick's statements at times. Over the weekend, he admitted that he still can't quite grasp why the Americas GP and Portugal weekends were so exceptional, as these events were unusual compared to others."

"Is the success due to him or the bike? Considering Aprilia's performance after that moment, which later declined, it's challenging to determine. This is Maverick's main issue."

"He seems to be overly sensitive. When everything is ideal, his performance is outstanding. However, if conditions aren't perfect, his performance drastically declines. This issue has been noticeable with the KTMs this season."

"When they're performing well, they're leading the pack. However, when they're not at their best, like during last weekend's qualifying, Acosta made it to Q2, but the following KTM rider only placed 18th."

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George Russell Expresses Frustration Among F1 Drivers Towards FIA

Currently, it seems there is no immediate action, which has caught me off guard. However, it's possible that developments may occur in the future.

George Russell has revealed that the FIA has yet to reply to the statement made by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association concerning improper behavior by F1 drivers.

At the beginning of this month, the GPDA shared an extensive message on their newly launched Instagram page, discussing various topics.

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The letter addressed the matter of profanity, highlighting instances where Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were fined. It also urged FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to reflect on his choice of words and manner of speaking.

The FIA has experienced a few chaotic weeks recently, as they decided to substitute F1 race director Niels Wittich with Rui Marques for the last three races of the season.

During a press conference held by the FIA in Las Vegas before the race this weekend, Russell, who leads the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, was questioned about whether the FIA had contacted him after the previous statement was made.

Russell responded, "Not right now, which is somewhat unexpected for me, but there might be developments later. We'll see."

The letter also brought up the topic of penalties.

Russell believes that there isn't enough clarity regarding the final destination of the funds collected by the FIA through fines.

Russell stated that a couple of years back, during discussions with the FIA about the presidential elections, the focus was on transparency and the intention to reinvest funds into grassroots racing, which everyone supports.

When discussing hefty fines, it's clear that several drivers in the lineup have the financial means to pay them without issue. However, there are likely some newcomers who would struggle to pay a $1 million penalty.

"We need clarity on where the funds are being reinvested and whether they are being directed towards grassroots initiatives or training programs. Our main concern is having transparency and a clear understanding of the original promises."

"Frustrated with the circumstances"

Between the races in Brazil and Las Vegas, the FIA experienced another resignation when Paolo Basarri stepped down from his role as compliance officer.

Russell acknowledged that the FIA is "undoubtedly not the most stable organization" and noted that many drivers are "likely frustrated with the current circumstances."

He acknowledged that everyone is putting in maximum effort to perform their duties effectively. "The FIA experiences frequent changes, making it an unstable environment," he mentioned. "This instability might be the reason why implementing some of the desired changes has been difficult."

Certainly, each person has their perspective on their experiences. I believe that if we sense our voices are being heard and some of the adjustments we suggest are put into action, it could boost our confidence. After all, our aim is to improve the sport.

A lot of drivers are likely frustrated with how things are going. It appears that the situation is largely moving in the wrong direction.

Connor plays a crucial role in our impartial coverage, thanks to his keen sense of Formula 1's disputes and narratives.

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Lando Norris acknowledges that he wasn't prepared to compete against Max Verstappen for the Formula 1 championship. Lando Norris looks back on his initial attempt at contending for the F1 title with Max Verstappen.

Lando Norris admitted that he wasn't fully prepared to challenge Max Verstappen for the F1 championship at the beginning of the season.

At the beginning of the year, Norris had a sluggish performance, but by the middle of the season, he emerged as the closest competitor to Verstappen.

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After the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix concluded, the difference in points between the two was only 52.

Since then, although McLaren has been slightly ahead of Red Bull, Verstappen has increased his advantage to 62 points and is close to securing the F1 championship.

This weekend at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen has the opportunity to secure the championship if he finishes in a position better than Norris.

Looking back on this season, Norris mentioned during the FIA pre-race press conference, “Entering a season with the goal of trying to win is a completely different mentality compared to what we experienced this year. The season has unfolded in a unique way."

"In the early stages, we were quite behind, beginning as the third or fourth best team. For a significant period, this was our standing. Meanwhile, Red Bull showcased an unprecedented level of dominance, surpassing all other teams throughout the year. Although we have achieved impressive speed and have often been among the fastest, our lead has typically been much narrower. Replicating the substantial gaps that they established at the start of the year is virtually unachievable for us."

"I believe I've performed well overall, but it's evident… You can always count on my honesty about whether my performance has been good or poor, or if our team has succeeded or fallen short. I aim to be truthful in my assessments. There have been numerous races where we failed to achieve the necessary level as a team. Take Silverstone, for instance; we should have secured a 1-2 finish, yet we were far from achieving that outcome."

Initially, Norris believed he wasn't prepared to compete against Verstappen. However, now at 25 years old, he feels his performance is nearing the standard needed to challenge the Red Bull driver.

"There have been occasions when our team didn't meet the standards required of a world championship-winning team. Additionally, there have been numerous instances where my own performance fell short of what is necessary to secure a championship," Norris stated.

"I likely wasn't fully prepared to compete with Red Bull and Max. Now, I feel ready, but it's probably too late to take on that challenge."

Norris admitted that competing with a driver of Verstappen's skill level is difficult, praising him as "one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1."

"There might have been other racers in the past who were prepared for a similar challenge," he stated. "However, no one has faced Max so early in their career, midway through the season, and managed to offer what I believe is a decent contest. I'm in the mix, but no one else is really doing it. I've given it my all, but it hasn't been enough."

"I have consistently acknowledged that fact. In my opinion, Max ranks among the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1. It's unlikely that Formula 1 will see a driver surpassing Max's skills in the future."

"In my view, that's what I truly stand by, and challenging someone of such high caliber requires more than what I've accomplished this season. However, I believe my performance since the summer break has brought me nearer to the level I need to reach. I feel I'm getting closer to being capable of competing for it next year."

Connor, known for his keen awareness of F1 controversies and narratives, serves as the driving force behind our impartial coverage.

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Lewis Hamilton expressed that he "had no desire to return" following the challenges he faced in Brazil. Hamilton clarified his remarks made after the race and addressed responses from Toto Wolff regarding the tough weekend.

Lewis Hamilton confessed that he felt like departing from Mercedes "at that moment" following a disappointing experience at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Following a weekend in Brazil that was unexpectedly disappointing, with only one point earned during both the sprint and the grand prix, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton seemed to suggest over team radio that this might be his "final time" racing for Mercedes. In a subsequent interview with Sky Sports F1, Hamilton mentioned that he was "eagerly anticipating Christmas."

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Following the race, Mercedes sought to minimize the impact of Hamilton's remarks. However, the 39-year-old British driver has since explained that his earlier feelings were intense, and he "wasn't particularly eager to return."

He expressed to reporters, including those from Sky Sports F1, that at the time, he felt as though he had no desire to return following that weekend, as he spoke before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

"I believe it's only normal to feel this way. Experiencing a season like this one is disappointing, and I'm confident it won't happen to me again, or at the very least, I'll strive to prevent it from recurring."

"In that moment, it didn't feel good, but I'm here, holding my ground, and I'm determined to put my all into these final races."

Wolff Clarifies Remarks on Hamilton's Future

Mercedes team leader Toto Wolff stressed that his statements in a recent publication regarding Lewis Hamilton's "shelf-life" and his potential move from Mercedes to Ferrari were somewhat misinterpreted.

Approaching the conclusion of a challenging season, during which he has still secured two wins, Hamilton emphasized that he doesn't feel the need to demonstrate anything to Wolff.

"I feel confident and powerful just being here. My training has been going well, and I'm in great spirits," he shared with Sky Sports F1.

To be frank, I am in the best mental state I've experienced this entire year. Given how poorly the last race went, I believe that speaks volumes.

I have a lot of experience in this field. Throughout my career, numerous comments have been made about me, including many subtle insults—not from my employer, who has consistently backed me over the years as we've accomplished a lot together—but mostly from the media in general. Despite all of this, nothing can bring me down.

"I'm not going anywhere; I'm still battling on, and I plan to keep pushing forward. I truly care about my team, and despite my impending departure, I aim to deliver my utmost effort in the upcoming races."

"If they supply a vehicle designed to maintain its course, we are optimistic about achieving improved outcomes."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. He often provides on-the-spot reports, sharing the narratives of key individuals in the racing world.

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Yuki Tsunoda Almost Deported Due to US Customs Incident

Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda shared that he faced a challenging situation with Customs authorities upon his arrival in the United States before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Yuki Tsunoda feared he might not be allowed into the United States to participate in the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix due to a difficult experience at Customs.

The Japanese RB driver mentioned that upon his arrival in the United States for this weekend's race in Las Vegas, Border Control officials subjected him to additional questioning. This made him anxious about the potential risk of being sent back home.

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"After numerous conversations, they eventually allowed me entry," Tsunoda shared with reporters in Las Vegas.

"I almost had to return home. Everything's fine now, but fortunately, I'm still here. I was with my physiotherapist on the trip. Naturally, when you go through customs, you have to do it alone, correct?"

The official unexpectedly led me into the room, and during our conversation, I asked if I could bring along the individual I was planning to travel with. Perhaps he could assist in clarifying some more details about myself and the circumstances in Formula 1.

"They wouldn't let me bring them in or contact anyone. I wanted to reach out to the team or perhaps F1 for assistance, but inside that room, there was nothing I could do."

Tsunoda was taken aback by the situation, especially since he had made sure all his visas were in order and had encountered no issues on his earlier trips across the United States this year.

"I handled all the visa arrangements myself," he said. "It's been unfortunate. I suppose with the previous three instances, I was able to enter without any issues. So it was unexpected to be stopped and have an in-depth conversation this time."

The young man, aged 24, believes that his attire might have caused the authorities to question his identity as a Formula 1 driver.

"I'm not sure, perhaps I was in pajamas, and the color might resemble something else. It just seems like they were putting a lot of pressure on me, and I was unable to speak up," he explained.

"I feel that if I speak up, it might cause more problems for me. Fortunately, everything went well."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. By providing on-the-scene reports, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Sergio Perez criticizes his father's anti-gay comments directed at former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, describing the remarks as a "mistake."

Sergio Perez has expressed disapproval of his father, Antonio Perez Garibay, for making homophobic comments about former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher.

Schumacher, a Formula 1 driver from 1997 to 2007, announced during the summer that he was in a relationship with someone of the same sex. The brother of Michael, a seven-time world champion, received a great deal of support for his decision to publicly identify as gay, with Lewis Hamilton among those offering encouragement.

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In reaction to remarks made by the former grand prix champion, now a commentator, regarding Perez's prospects with Red Bull, Perez Garibay seemed to mock Schumacher's sexual orientation.

A former Formula 1 racer, who has now become a journalist, initially claimed that Checo was no longer with Red Bull. The next week, Schumacher publicly revealed his sexual orientation, according to statements made by Perez Garibay to the Mexican press.

"I'm not sure if he had romantic feelings for Checo. Do you get what I mean? There are a lot of odd aspects here. It's hard to tell if he's a journalist, a lady, or a gentleman. However, his opinion holds no weight, not due to Checo Perez, but because of the remarks made by his ex-wife about him."

Perez was questioned on whether he planned to discuss his father's remarks made before the Las Vegas Grand Prix taking place this weekend.

"Without a doubt, I completely disagree with everything he said," Perez mentioned in an interview with Sky Sports F1.

"In my opinion, he made an error in that aspect. Although I disagree with all of his opinions, I have no influence over what my father chooses to express. I can only manage my own words."

"In my view, it's crucial for the sport to demonstrate that any incidents occurring during races should stay confined to the track. This perspective is vital, as we ought to serve as role models for others globally."

Schumacher stated that he "holds no anger" towards Perez's father despite his comments.

In a social media post, he expressed his unwavering support for his son, stating that as a father, he would fully back him and offer assistance.

In terms of style, I would approach things differently, but we are familiar with Mr. Perez and his emotional nature. Because of this, I don't hold any anger towards him. Nevertheless, I am convinced that performance on the track would serve as a more compelling argument.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. From the heart of the events, he often reports on the developments, sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Max Verstappen expressed his astonishment at the abrupt timing of the decision to replace Niels Wittich as the F1 race director.

Max Verstappen has shared his astonishment over the unexpected exit of Niels Wittich, the F1 race director.

The FIA, which oversees Formula 1, revealed that Wittich has resigned from his position effective immediately. This announcement came just before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the organization mentioning that the German had left to "explore new opportunities."

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However, Wittich asserted that he did not leave of his own accord but was instead dismissed with three races remaining. Rui Marques, the race director for Formula 2 and Formula 3, has taken his place.

The FIA's decision has caught F1 drivers off guard, among them three-time world champion Verstappen. In an interview with Sky Sports F1, he expressed his surprise by saying, "I think everyone was taken aback to see this happen with just three races remaining. But you'll need to question the FIA about it."

After the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association issued a message calling on the FIA to handle its members "as adults." They also requested that President Mohammed Ben Sulayem be mindful of his tone and choice of words when addressing or discussing the drivers.

Max Verstappen, on the brink of securing his fourth straight world championship title in Las Vegas this weekend, is eager for advancements to occur promptly.

Verstappen explained that they aimed to distribute a letter to ensure everyone understood their concerns and objectives, and they hoped to see the outcomes of this effort.

"Currently, no changes have occurred. The FIA has been busy with various matters that needed their attention. We'll monitor how things unfold in the upcoming races and maintain our dialogue with them as we move forward."

During the pre-event press conference, George Russell, who serves as a director for the GPDA, mentioned that the FIA has not yet replied to their letter. He also confessed that the drivers are "a bit tired of the entire situation."

"It appears to be a bit tougher to see changes happen or commitments honored," he remarked. "Perhaps the FIA or its president didn't fully grasp the depth of our concerns."

Throughout this year's 20 races, as well as those from the previous year, we've had discussions on various subjects. All the drivers seem to share similar views; we understand what we desire from the sport and have noticed the paths it's been taking. We believe some adjustments are necessary in certain areas and are eager to collaborate with the FIA to address these concerns.

"We believed that the president has not been doing that at all."

Lewis frequently travels to various Grand Prix events worldwide for Crash.net. He often provides on-the-ground coverage, sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing community.

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McLaren is planning to change its approach to team orders following the decline of Lando Norris's slim chances at winning the F1 title.

Oscar Piastri mentioned that McLaren has altered their approach regarding team orders now that Lando Norris's chances of winning the F1 championship are essentially gone.

Lando Norris's hopes of clinching the world championship this year took a major hit when he dropped from first place to sixth at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Meanwhile, his title contender, Max Verstappen, made a remarkable comeback to win the race, despite starting from 17th position.

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Verstappen increased his lead in the championship standings to 62 points with only three races left, effectively dashing Norris's chances of securing his first drivers' title this year.

Max Verstappen is set to become the world champion at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend if he finishes the race with a lead of at least 60 points.

With Norris's championship aspirations dwindling, McLaren has decided not to require Piastri, who stepped aside for Norris to secure the sprint victory in Brazil, to act as a secondary driver any longer.

When questioned about whether he would now be on equal terms with Norris, Piastri responded to reporters in Las Vegas by saying, "Essentially, yes."

"There are still a few particular situations where my assistance might be required. However, in most cases, things have returned to their usual state."

"The chances in the drivers’ championship are quite narrow, but the constructors’ championship is definitely still within reach for us."

"It's not finalized yet, which is the most important aspect. There are only a few particular situations where I might still assist if requested, but my focus for the weekend is on achieving victory."

McLaren holds a 36-point advantage over Ferrari in the constructors' championship standings, with Red Bull trailing in third place, 49 points behind.

Though Piastri was content to assist Norris, he emphasized his intention to avoid being in a similar situation next year.

The Australian mentioned that, truthfully, they didn't feel too let down about letting it go.

Naturally, winning the sprint would have been fantastic, but it is quite a different situation compared to a grand prix.

"I demonstrated what I set out to achieve by securing the pole position, and that accomplishment was primarily for my own satisfaction."

Securing the top position in the sprint qualifying was perhaps more gratifying for me, even if I had emerged victorious in the sprint itself.

"I was confident that I executed the sprint correctly, which is beneficial for me."

"I'm glad that we no longer need to deal with those issues as frequently, and clearly, next year, my goal is to ensure that I'm not in a situation where the championship standings make me vulnerable to that."

"In truth, the only instance I really had to lend a hand was during that event in Brazil, and since then, there hasn't been anything significant. It's been more discussion than actual activity on the track."

Lewis is a frequent presence at Grands Prix events globally for Crash.net. He often provides on-site coverage, sharing the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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Red Bull and Ferrari adjust their F1 vehicles following FIA's skid block regulations

Leading F1 teams, Red Bull and Ferrari, are said to be affected by the FIA's latest enforcement just before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

According to reports, Red Bull and Ferrari are some of the teams that have been required to modify their Formula 1 vehicles for the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to the most recent enforcement actions by the FIA.

The FIA, which oversees Formula 1, has released a technical directive that takes effect immediately before this weekend's Las Vegas race. This move aims to stop teams from taking advantage of a rule loophole related to plank wear.

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According to the German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, a new technical directive from the FIA will ban teams from using "special protective plates that were installed by about half of the teams" on the skid blocks.

Motorsport and The Race have both covered the FIA's crackdown, noting that Ferrari and Red Bull are among the teams reportedly impacted. According to The Race, "at least half of the teams on the grid are thought to have responded to the situation."

As reported by The Race, Ferrari has implemented some adjustments to their vehicle, whereas Red Bull has introduced slight changes following the FIA's technical directive.

After the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Red Bull is said to have raised concerns with the FIA. While there was no indication of any illegal activities, the governing body of F1 has acted to prevent any potential exploitation of ambiguous areas in the rules.

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari faced disqualification from the United States Grand Prix last year after post-race inspections revealed that their vehicles had surpassed the permissible plank wear limit.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. He is often on-site to provide firsthand accounts and share the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Aston Martin clarifies the circumstances surrounding Dan Fallows' departure from his role as F1 technical director.

Aston Martin's performance director, Tom McCullough, has explained the factors that led to Dan Fallows leaving the F1 team.

At the beginning of this month, Aston Martin revealed that Fallows, who had come on board in 2022 after leaving Red Bull, had stepped down from his position as the technical director of the team located in Silverstone.

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Bob Bell, the executive director, will temporarily take over his role. Meanwhile, Enrico Cardille, previously the technical director at Ferrari, is set to join Aston Martin next year. He will work with Adrian Newey, who has been appointed as the managing technical partner.

In anticipation of the Las Vegas Grand Prix happening this weekend, McCullough suggested that Fallows was let go because of Aston Martin's disappointing results this season.

"The team's performance this year has not met our expectations," McCullough stated to the press in Las Vegas. "We haven't achieved the desired results, and ultimately, that has been a choice made by the team."

For the past two or three years, I've worked closely alongside Dan, who has been a significant influence on the progress of both the '22 and '23 cars. Frankly, he's contributed immensely to the team.

Working with him has been quite enjoyable from that perspective. However, in 2024, we have not met the performance expectations on the track that we set for ourselves and aimed to achieve.

Crafting these vehicles has been challenging, and at the end of the day, it's an industry driven by performance. Consequently, the team has chosen to implement a few alterations.

Aston Martin had an impressive beginning to the year 2023, positioning themselves as the closest rivals to Red Bull after the winter season, frequently competing for podium finishes.

Since then, the team's performance has significantly declined, and continuous development issues have stalled their advancement.

Throughout most of 2024, Aston Martin has been positioned in a remote fifth spot in the constructors' championship.

Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have been unable to secure a position above fifth place.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. By being present at the races, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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