Jack Miller identifies where Yamaha outshines KTM

"It makes you crave more…"

During the first day of the MotoGP preseason test in Buriram, Jack Miller secured a position within the top 10.

The ex-rider for Honda, Ducati, and KTM is adapting smoothly to his new Yamaha bike, which has become a standout as teams gear up for the 2025 racing season.

Miller highlighted a feature in which his new machine surpasses the capabilities of last year's KTM.

Miller expressed his satisfaction in Buriram, stating that he finds the bike enjoyable to ride and appreciates the reliability of the front end, which he considers a significant advantage.

The experience makes you crave additional excitement. Whenever you install a new tire, you find yourself pondering, ‘I could have taken those corners faster.’

"It gives you a strong sense of trust in the front part, which had been lacking over the last few years."

"I didn't expect that, but it's a nice surprise."

"We focused on the back end of the vehicle, particularly on the corners where we needed to stop and start. I was pleased with the adjustments we implemented."

Jack Miller finishes in 10th place at Buriram

Miller, now riding for the Pramac team with Miguel Oliveira after their switch from Ducati to Yamaha, referred to his new motorcycle as a "rocket ship" due to its impressive launch capabilities.

He mentioned that during the testing in Buriram, they immediately started off strong by using the foundational setup they had established in Sepang.

"I was pleased with the conditions. The track was fine, just a bit dusty. Fortunately, the presence of multiple bikes helped clear it up swiftly."

"The motorcycle is functioning properly overall, but there is still a problem with the rear traction. However, in conditions where the grip isn't particularly strong, such as here, it's less noticeable. I felt the issue more prominently during my time in Sepang."

"I completed many laps in the 30-second range today, and I wish I could have achieved some in the 29-second bracket."

"I'm pleased with the speed. The motorcycle handles well in the warm weather."

"The team made a few changes, but overall, the configuration remained consistent with how we ended in Sepang."

"I was pleased with its performance even in somewhat challenging conditions."

"Whenever you ride a new bicycle, it's important to be receptive and take in everything. Pay attention to the feedback the bike is giving you."

Yamaha has faced challenging times over the last few years.

However, Miller believes the company has every opportunity to expand on their successful preseason.

Miller firmly stated that they pay no attention to the opinions of others.

"Yamaha was once well-suited for many tracks, but that's no longer the case. In contrast, Ducati, which previously struggled, now performs well on all tracks."

"The situation is evolving, and we concentrate on what is within our capabilities."

"In previous years, Yamaha has shown significant strength at this location."

Statements given by Derry Munikartono in Buriram

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Eddie Jordan Announces Significant Expansion into a New Sport

Famed former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan has played a crucial role in rescuing the London Irish Rugby Club.

A group supported by ex-Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan has successfully acquired the London Irish Rugby Club in an effort to save it.

The London Irish rugby team had to go into administration and were barred from playing any rugby matches due to not paying their players. This penalty came after they failed to meet the deadline for paying wages or finalizing a takeover deal.

They have been prohibited from participating in the Premiership and are presently barred from engaging in any rugby league competitions.

F1 icon and Irish entrepreneur Jordan has spearheaded a group to acquire the club from administration.

The organization led by Jordan, known as 'The Jordan Associates,' announced that they aim to make a quick comeback to competitions.

The new owners are focused on elevating the London Irish Rugby Club back to the highest level of international professional club rugby, with the objective of quickly rejoining the top-tier competition, the statement declared.

The Jordan Associates group is set to focus on working out the details for a complete and lasting comeback for London Irish to the rugby scene, collaborating closely with the team's fans.

Kyle Jordan, the youngest son of Eddie and a senior partner at Jordan Associates, expressed their enthusiasm by stating, "We are thrilled about the chance to guide London Irish to greater success."

The individuals supporting us financially are not only providing funds but also have a deep love for rugby and dedication to the community. They especially aim to connect with the Irish community worldwide to enhance the brand associated with those living outside Ireland.

The Jordan Grand Prix team, named after its founder, participated in Formula 1 from 1991 until 2005, securing victory in four races during its tenure.

In December, the 76-year-old announced that he was fighting an "extremely aggressive" type of cancer affecting his bladder and prostate, which had metastasized to his spine and pelvis.

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Uncovered: The significant design choice Ferrari has implemented for Lewis Hamilton's vehicle

Insight surfaces regarding an important feature of Lewis Hamilton's SF-25

According to reports, Ferrari plans to modify the front suspension design for their 2025 Formula 1 vehicle, which will be the first car Lewis Hamilton drives for the team.

According to the Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, the SF-25 will showcase a redesigned front pull-rod suspension, a change driven by the aerodynamic insights of the new chassis technical director, Loic Serra.

Ferrari is altering its design approach to enhance the energy applied to the tires, with the goal of maximizing performance in a single lap. This adjustment is intended to address the shortcomings of the SF-24 in this area.

The aim is to reduce both slippage and the resulting wear on the tires, while also improving packaging and aerodynamic efficiency.

Ferrari plans modifications for Lewis Hamilton's vehicle. According to La Gazzetta, Ferrari's 2025 model will feature "additional changes to the floor and sidepod design" aimed at enhancing aerodynamic efficiency.

Should it be verified, Ferrari will become part of the group including Red Bull, McLaren, RB, and Sauber that utilizes pull-rod front suspension, while the remaining teams prefer the push-rod configuration.

Haas, the technical partner, has chosen not to adopt Ferrari's latest front suspension design and will stick with the 2024 pushrod version.

In a statement made in December, Fred Vasseur, the head of the Ferrari team, disclosed that the 2025 model of their car will contain only "less than one percent" of the components from the previous model.

"Vasseur mentioned that often people only become aware of the risks they’ve taken after the fact."

"The vehicle will be entirely redesigned, with less than 1% of its components being shared with the 2024 model. Although it's a separate undertaking, this situation is the same for all involved."

Ferrari is optimistic that the SF-25 will enable the team to secure their first F1 world championship victory since 2008.

Last year, the Scuderia missed out on clinching the constructors' championship by 14 points, with McLaren just edging them out to take the title.

Ferrari has received a significant boost with the high-profile signing of Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, who will team up with Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton is optimistic that his surprising move from Mercedes to the most renowned team in Formula 1 will aid him in clinching an unprecedented eighth world championship.

The SF-25 is set to be revealed on February 19, with Hamilton and Leclerc anticipated to conduct a preliminary test drive at Fiorano that very day.

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Honda's MotoGP motorcycle shows improvement over previous models, yet there's a caveat…

"Our enhancements have targeted areas that previously posed challenges for us…"

Honda's recent downturn in MotoGP performance has placed it at the lowest rank among manufacturers, yet Alberto Puig, the team manager for Honda HRC Castrol, is confident that improvements are underway.

Factory Honda team racers, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, shared optimistic viewpoints regarding the enhancements applied during the offseason, observing that the 2025 RC213V exhibits superior cornering capabilities at the onset compared to the previous model, based on the initial season tests conducted last week at Sepang. However, Marini mentioned feeling that Honda's progress had plateaued over the winter when compared to the championship's leading motorcycles.

Alberto Puig Puig confirmed in a discussion with MotoGP.com that the RC213V has seen improvements this year, marking progress from its performance in 2024.

"He mentioned that the foundation has improved compared to the previous year."

"We've made progress in certain challenging aspects previously, yet there remain critical areas requiring attention, as highlighted by rider feedback, which we acknowledge.

"Undoubtedly, the start of the season will present challenges."

"In Japan, a significant endeavor was undertaken to enhance all of their activities, and we also managed to enlist numerous individuals who are now assisting us."

Discover more: Ducati faces a significant challenge, which proves to be an even larger issue for their competitors.

Honda MotoGP's primary goal pinpointed

The most notable new addition to Honda's 2025 lineup is undoubtedly Romano Albesiano, formerly at the helm of Aprilia's RS-GP initiative.

At this point, Puig emphasized, the Italian is currently going through the educational stage of his tenure at Honda.

"He expressed satisfaction with [Romano] Albesiano coming on board."

"Undoubtedly, this marks a starting point for him, and he'll require some time to adapt to Honda's methodologies, which are likely quite distinct from the Italian approach to work."

"Ultimately, Honda represents a collective rather than a single person – our goal is to harness our collective power. The drive and ambition are clear; the sole objective is to elevate Honda to leading standings."

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Primary rationale for Marc Marquez's edge over Pecco Bagnaia

Explanation for selecting Marc Marquez

A compelling explanation has been offered to support the idea that Marc Marquez holds a benefit against Francesco Bagnaia in this year's competition.

Marquez will team up with Bagnaia in Ducati's premier team, ensuring they both have access to the top-tier equipment and the most competitive motorcycle available.

However, a legend from MotoGP has directed blame towards Marquez as the battle for the championship begins.

"Giacomo Agostini has declared to La Gazzetta dello Sport that a friendship between them is impossible."

The producer is required to provide identical materials to both parties, and they need to ensure they stay within the boundaries without deviation.

Whether you have Davide Tardozzi or Agostini overseeing from the pit wall, when a rider is embroiled in competition, their sole focus is on outmaneuvering the rival, executing the pass, and then pulling ahead by five meters soon after.

"Different from what he was informed down in the trenches…"

Marc Marquez preferred over Pecco Bagnaia

"Both are exceptional athletes," Agostini commented. "One is more systematic and integrated with his team, while the other adopts a more aggressive approach.

"I foresee them envying one another, anticipating a direct confrontation."

"Marc definitely has a greater appetite for victory than Bagnaia, which might just give him the edge…"

Discover more: Ducati faces a significant challenge, which turns out to be an even larger concern for the rest of the competition.

Bagnaia benefits significantly from having piloted a Ducati, specifically the factory model, over the last four years.

He clinched the titles in both 2022 and 2023, only to narrowly lose in the final round of 2024 to Jorge Martin.

However, the brilliance of Marquez, an eight-time world champion, should always be recognized.

Following a season of transition from a Honda to a Ducati from the previous year, he will be advancing to utilize equipment directly from the factory in 2025.

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Sebastian Vettel has been cautioned against making a return to Formula 1, with a warning that suggests such a move could be unrealistic. The reality is that his lap times were not competitive towards the conclusion of his racing career.

David Coulthard thinks that if Sebastian Vettel is contemplating a comeback to Formula 1, he must be "living in a fantasy world."

Sebastian Vettel ended his Formula 1 career at the conclusion of 2022 after experiencing two underwhelming seasons with Aston Martin.

The German driver moved to Aston Martin following Ferrari's decision to replace him with Carlos Sainz.

His enthusiasm waned because he wasn't achieving success in racing green, which ultimately led him to retire.

There have been multiple suggestions about Vettel making a comeback to Formula 1, despite his claims of being content outside the racing scene.

There have been reports suggesting that Vettel might join Audi, and there are also speculations about him possibly returning to Mercedes to take over from Lewis Hamilton.

During an interview on Lucas Stewart's YouTube channel, Coulthard firmly addressed a query regarding the potential return of Vettel to Formula 1.

Coulthard exclaimed, "Absolutely not! That would only be possible if he's living in a fantasy world, believing that after taking a few years off, he will somehow be faster."

"The reality is that the clock is always accurate, and towards the conclusion of his career, he wasn't achieving the necessary lap times."

Is a Vettel Comeback to Formula 1 Possible?

Sebastian Vettel stands as one of the most accomplished drivers in Formula 1 history, having secured four world championships and claimed victory in more than 50 races.

During his last two years at Ferrari, his standing suffered while he was teamed with Charles Leclerc.

In the end, he departed from the team when they brought in Sainz to take his place.

Although he showed moments of exceptional skill while at Aston Martin, such as securing a podium finish in Azerbaijan in 2021, his lead over Lance Stroll was not notably large, particularly when contrasted with Fernando Alonso's performance advantage in the last two seasons.

In an interview with Sky F1 last year, Vettel discussed the possibility of returning to racing. He said, "Technically, I am available since I don't have a current contract, but the real question is whether I'm actively seeking one. I believe it largely depends on the overall offer."

"I stepped away from Formula 1 without plans to return, but I also mentioned that anything is possible. That statement remains true."

"You can't predict the path life will lead you on," he mentioned, "perhaps it will guide me back to driving, or perhaps it won't."

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Primary rationale for Marc Marquez's edge over Pecco Bagnaia

Explanation for selecting Marc Marquez

An interesting explanation has been offered to suggest why Marc Marquez holds a competitive edge over Francesco Bagnaia in this year's season.

Marquez will team up with Bagnaia in Ducati's premier team, ensuring they both have access to top-tier bikes, regarded as the finest on the circuit.

However, a MotoGP icon has directed blame towards Marquez as the battle for the championship begins.

"Giacomo Agostini stated to La Gazzetta dello Sport that they will never become friends."

The producer is required to provide identical materials to both parties, who must be careful to stay within the boundaries.

Placing figures like Davide Tardozzi or Agostini at the pit wall might be strategic, but when a rider is in the midst of competition, their sole focus is on outmaneuvering their rival, executing the pass, and then pulling ahead by five meters shortly thereafter.

"Different from what he was informed in the trenches…"

Agostini highlighted the strengths of Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, stating, "Both are exceptional talents in their field," he remarked. "One exhibits a more systematic approach and is deeply integrated within his team, while the other adopts a more forceful style of racing."

"I foresee them envying one another, anticipating a direct competition."

"Marc undoubtedly has a greater appetite for success than Bagnaia, which might just give him the edge…"

Discover more: Ducati faces a significant challenge, which poses an even larger issue for everyone else.

Bagnaia has benefited from piloting a factory-issue Ducati for the last four years, giving him a distinct edge.

He emerged victorious in the championships for both 2022 and 2023, and narrowly missed clinching the title again in 2024, due to Jorge Martin overtaking him in the final

However, the brilliance of Marquez, an eight-time world champion, should always be recognized.

Following a season of transitioning from riding a Honda to using a Ducati from the previous year, he will be upgrading to utilize equipment directly from the factory in 2025.

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Ducati causes a stir with concerns over Marc Marquez's starts

During the MotoGP test in Buriram, Ducati seems to have set aside several parts from their 2025 model specifications.

As the 2025 MotoGP World Championship approaches, with only a handful of weeks left, the testing taking place in Buriram this week is crucial for several manufacturers, such as Ducati, to finalize their specifications for the new season.

During last week's testing session in Sepang, Ducati and its official riders, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, were uncertain about which bike configuration to select. They considered three options: a complete GP25 model, a full GP24 version, and a combination of the two.

Two key elements played a significant role: the first being the impressive performance of the GP24, which secured victories in all but four Grand Prix events in 2024. The second factor was the two-year approval period for this year's engine due to the development halt set for 2026. This situation made the Bologna brand particularly cautious about taking unnecessary risks, as Marc Marquez mentioned after the Sepang race, when deciding on their 2025 motorcycle.

As the test in Thailand marks the last opportunity before the season kicks off in Buriram in three weeks, Ducati must finalize its decision now.

Instead of proceeding with consecutive tests of both GP25 and GP24 components in Buriram, Ducati seems to have switched entirely to using the GP24. This change was highlighted by Jack Appleyard on X (previously known as Twitter), who observed that the new engine, chassis, and fairing are not in use today in Buriram.

There haven't been any standout lap times coming from Buriram so far, but the Ducati factory team's actions are quite intriguing. Both Bagnaia and Marquez are exclusively using the GP24 model. The new engine, chassis, and aerodynamic features from Sepang seem to be absent.

While it's not officially confirmed that Ducati is channeling all its resources into optimizing the GP24 rather than the GP25, the fact that there's still a day left in testing suggests a careful approach by the Italian company towards their latest prototype.

Issues with Launching

Ducati's decision to seemingly revert completely to the GP24 during the first day of the two-day Buriram test raises eyebrows, but what also stands out are the practice starts performed by its official team riders.

Currently, both Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez appear to struggle with consistently achieving strong starts on the factory Desmosedici.

"We observed the practice starts of Bagnaia and Marquez," mentioned Louis Suddaby from MotoGP.com.

"Bagnaia's initial move left a noticeable dark mark on the straightaway!"

"The remaining starters faced difficulties in keeping the front wheel on the ground."

Check out this Instagram post from Crash MotoGP, featuring content from their account (@crashmotogp_).

MotoGP.com pit lane reporter Jack Appleyard shared that some individuals on the pitwall mentioned they haven't witnessed Marquez make a strong start during any of the preseason test sessions.

Observers expressed their astonishment at how Marquez consistently appeared unprepared during each practice start.

"In my opinion, it seems that Ducati is looking to enhance the performance of the GP25. However, currently, they haven't perfected the launch controls."

"Both Bagnaia and Marquez were struggling with traction, as their rear wheels were losing grip. They simply couldn't get the situation under control!"

Even outside the official team, Ducati riders faced difficulties during the start. Rookie Fermin Aldeguer encountered a significant issue when he nearly collided with his Gresini teammate, Alex Marquez, as they both accelerated away. Aldeguer's bike spun its rear wheel, causing him to veer left while attempting to get his GP24 moving.

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Exploring the Top Five Lackluster MotoGP Championship Defenses

We delve into the history books to highlight several of the most underwhelming championship defenses in MotoGP's storied past.

The beginning of the 2025 MotoGP season has been far from ideal for the current champion, Jorge Martin. Heading into the inaugural race in Thailand, Martin has managed fewer than 20 laps on his new Aprilia RS-GP due to an early crash during the year's first test session in Sepang.

Martin departed from Malaysia with injuries to his right hand and left foot, subsequently being deemed unable to participate in the Buriram test happening this week due to undergoing an operation in Barcelona.

Viewing the scenario with a negative outlook, it prepares Martin for what may turn out to be a notably uninspiring attempt at defending his championship. As he competes, instead of methodically evaluating his new motorcycle, the prominent #1 displayed on its forefront serves as a constant nudge of the position he is expected to maintain.

This doesn't mean, however, that the collaboration between Martin and Aprilia is fated to endless disappointment or that they will never achieve a championship win together.

However, regardless of how one measures it, Martin's attempt to defend his 2024 MotoGP World Championship title has arguably faced the worst possible beginning, despite not a single practice session having taken place in 2025 yet.

Bearing this in mind, we decided to reflect on previous instances of unsuccessful title defenses in MotoGP's history, focusing solely on the four-stroke era, to understand the challenges past champions have faced.

In a sense, including Fabio Quartararo's attempt to defend his title in 2022 on this list may seem quite severe, especially considering that by November 2021, it was evident that retaining his championship would be a formidable challenge.

This was partly due to Yamaha's decreasing ability to compete, but was primarily a result of Ducati's surge to prominence, led by Francesco Bagnaia, who secured victories in four of the final six races during Quartararo's championship season.

As 2021 drew to a close, Bagnaia was optimistic, believing that the Desmosedici GP22, Ducati's latest model, represented an improvement over the previous year's GP21, even with more than three months to go before the 2022 season kicked off.

The beginning of the season didn't unfold as anticipated. Bagnaia experienced a crash in Qatar, placed 15th in Indonesia, followed by fifth-place finishes in Argentina and Texas, and after crashing in the qualifiers at Portimao, he started from the back of the grid to ultimately finish eighth.

Quartararo didn't fare much better, securing ninth place in Qatar, eighth in Argentina, and seventh in Texas. However, he managed to secure a spot on the podium in Indonesia and clinched a win in Portimao.

In their initial direct competition at Jerez, Bagnaia emerged victorious over Quartararo, who spent 40 minutes attempting to prevent his front tyre from overheating due to the turbulent air from Bagnaia's bike.

However, the tables turned in favor of Quartararo as he secured positions 4-2-1-1 in the races across France, Italy, Catalunya, and Germany. During this time, Bagnaia failed to finish three races, allowing Quartararo to extend his lead to more than 90 points ahead of the Italian by the time they arrived at the Dutch TT.

The gap should have been too vast for Bagnaia to bridge, especially considering the disparity in capabilities between the Ducati and the Yamaha.

Ultimately, he clinched the championship with a 17-point lead, marking a significant victory for Bagnaia and Ducati. However, this outcome also highlighted the shortcomings of Quartararo (who had accidents at Assen and Phillip Island) and Yamaha, who significantly let their chances diminish.

Valentino Rossi, a renowned motorcycle racer, secured nine championships throughout his professional journey, encountering setbacks in retaining his title in two instances: 2006 and 2010.

The selection of 2006 over 2010 for this list is attributed to Rossi's challenges in defending his 2009 title, which were compounded by a shoulder injury he suffered prior to the season and a leg fracture he experienced during a practice session for the Italian Grand Prix.

In contrast, Rossi's failure to secure the 2006 championship was due to errors he committed, both during races and outside of them.

For instance, in 2006, Rossi had the opportunity to drive a Ferrari F1 vehicle, demonstrating the potential for a future transition to the top-tier automotive racing series.

The focus on a potential Formula 1 career for Rossi ended up being futile, as he never competed in F1. This shift in focus adversely affected the progress of the 2006 YZR-M1. While the bike showed potential by winning a few races, Rossi's performance dropped to five wins in 2006 from the 11 he secured the year before.

On several instances, including events in Turkey and Germany, the Italian racer managed to turn around his fortunes after starting from less favorable positions on the grid. Notably, at the Sachsenring, he delivered one of his most remarkable performances by moving up from a 14th-place start to secure a victory. Similarly, during the Dutch TT, after a crash in practice left him compromised, he still managed to finish the race in eighth place.

Despite numerous challenges encountered throughout 2006 by Rossi and his team Yamaha, the Italian racer managed to enter the last race of the season ahead in the championship standings over Nicky Hayden. This lead was partially due to Hayden's bad luck in Estoril, where he was accidentally hit by his Repsol Honda teammate, Dani Pedrosa.

However, a crucial error in the end famously led to the Italian missing out on what would have been his eighth world title and a full collection of 990cc championships, as he lost control and crashed out in the second turn of the season's final race at the Valencia Grand Prix.

In examining the title defenses outlined here, it's clear that 2006 wasn't necessarily a poor year for Rossi overall. However, when measured against the high benchmarks he had established from 2001 onwards, it fell short of reaching the pinnacle of success.

Similar to Rossi, Marc Marquez has also experienced challenges in defending his title twice. These instances occurred in 2015 and 2020. For Marquez, his 2020 downfall was due to injuries, mirroring Rossi's experience, whereas the 2015 scenario was attributed to Marquez's repeated errors. Consequently, it's the 2015 season that is highlighted here.

Undeniably, the 2015 MotoGP season is most memorable for its conclusion. Yet, it was truly a remarkable season of competition that initially appeared to be headed towards monotony.

Entering his third season at the top level of motorcycle racing, Marquez had previously achieved remarkable success, securing championship victories in both of his first two years. His second championship was particularly notable, featuring an unprecedented streak of 10 consecutive victories at the season's outset and culminating in a total of 13 wins from 18 races.

Believing that Marquez wouldn't ultimately reign supreme in 2015, despite a less than ideal beginning during the year's testing, appeared illogical.

Despite expectations, Marquez did not dominate the field, with the exception of his performances in Texas and Germany. Overall, the Spanish rider failed to leave the mark he had in the past two seasons.

A significant factor contributing to the challenges faced by Honda riders that season, including Marquez, was the bike's overly forceful engine behavior.

However, Marquez's relentless pursuit of victory played a role as well. His habit of squandering points in races he was poised to win – such as those in Argentina and Britain – meant that by the time he halted his series of crashes at the beginning of the Asian triple header, the championship was already out of reach.

Notoriously, the failure of #93 to clinch the championship title that year did not mark the limit of his impact on the overall competition, even though it wasn't Marquez directly causing that impact. However, at its core, Marc Marquez didn't compete in the 2015 season with the intention of securing a championship for Jorge Lorenzo.

Ultimately, Lorenzo had the skills to clinch the championship independently, while Marquez and Valentino Rossi were fully able to let it slip away.

Joan Mir, 2021

While Fabio Quartararo's performance in 2022 significantly deteriorated, Joan Mir's attempt to defend his title in 2021 was an outright catastrophe.

In 2020, Suzuki clinched the championship title, largely due to the versatility of its GSX-RR and the remarkable steadiness displayed by the Spanish racer Mir, in what was a tumultuous season overall.

In 2021, the general unpredictability of MotoGP decreased, alongside a noticeable dip in the performance steadiness of Suzuki and Mir.

In 2021, the Spanish racer failed to secure a single victory and only achieved six podium finishes out of the 14 races, a slight decline from the seven podiums he earned during the same number of races in the 2020 season.

Overall, Mir faced challenges in maintaining competitive performance throughout 2021, often finding it difficult to distinguish himself against rivals such as Quartararo and Bagnaia. Despite outperforming them once, he was surpassed at the Styria race by newcomer Jorge Martin.

Despite finishing third in the 2021 rankings, the year wasn't a complete failure for the Spanish racer, Mir. However, his inclusion on the list stems from never appearing to be the frontrunner for the championship title at any time during 2021.

Nicky Hayden, 2007

Typically, we've aimed to steer clear of campaigns that experienced significant shifts in rules or technical guidelines. This approach explains the absence of Jorge Lorenzo’s 2016 season from our list, while Fabio Quartararo's 2021 season makes the cut.

Nonetheless, the concluding observation regarding Mir likely applies to Nicky Hayden in 2007 too, but even more so, which is precisely the reason his defense of the 2006 championship makes our list.

For instance, Lorenzo appeared poised to retain his 2015 championship following his dominant performance in the first race of the 2016 season in Qatar. He showcased exceptional pace during the preseason with the newly introduced Michelin tires and standardized electronic systems, leading to his effortless victory in the opener.

In contrast, Hayden kicked off the 2007 campaign, marking the beginning of the 800cc era, with finishes of 8th, 7th, and 7th in the initial trio of races, and concluded the season with an overall finishing rank of eighth across the 15 races he completed.

The American rider managed to secure a spot on the podium just three times while attempting to retain his championship title, concluding the season in eighth place in the rankings, trailing his teammate Dani Pedrosa, who was in his second year, by 115 points

Heading into the 2007 season, Hayden wasn't necessarily seen as the top contender for the championship. However, ending the season in eighth place, especially after previously clinching the championship title, and falling behind both of Suzuki's leading riders, John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen, as well as Honda's independent team rider Marco Melandri, was undeniably a considerable disappointment.

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In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years at Visordown, where he focused on reporting about consumer and competitive motorcycle news.

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Bernie Collins reveals her top prediction for the 2025 F1 championship winners: “It must be…”

Bernie Collins forecasts the champions of the drivers' and constructors' titles for the 2025 F1 season.

Former Formula 1 strategist Bernie Collins is certain that Lando Norris and the McLaren team are the top contenders for the world championship title this year.

In the previous year, McLaren clinched their first F1 constructors' championship since 1998, narrowly edging out Ferrari with a margin of only 14 points.

The in-season car advancements made by the Woking team played a vital role in their rise up the rankings, especially since they began the season trailing behind Red Bull and Ferrari.

As Formula 1's technical rules stay consistent throughout the winter, McLaren is anticipated to begin the 2025 season as the leading team.

Norris secured victory at the final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, starting from pole position and finishing ahead of the two Ferrari drivers.

During her appearance on The Red Flags podcast, Collins was questioned about her initial forecasts for the upcoming Formula 1 season.

A Sky Sports F1 analyst is predicting that Norris and McLaren will secure the championships in 2025.

Collins remarked, "I believe McLaren is the team to watch. Considering their performance at the close of last season, they should be the favorites once more."

"I believe the answer is yes for both. They ought to have a good sense of confidence as they approach this."

When questioned regarding the drivers' championship, she responded, "I believe it has to be Lando, considering how he concluded the previous year."

Will Norris be able to surpass Verstappen in 2025?

As we look ahead to the 2025 season, a major point of speculation is whether Norris has what it takes to defeat Max Verstappen for the championship title.

In the 2024 F1 season, Verstappen established a commanding advantage in the drivers’ championship by securing victories in seven of the first ten races.

Despite having a car that performed better, McLaren couldn't take advantage of it.

The team squandered victories in Canada and Britain because of ineffective strategies, and Norris regretted his lackluster racing skills compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri in Hungary and Italy.

Norris finished the year on a high note by clearly outperforming Piastri.

The driver from Britain delivered an impressive performance by taking command of the races in the Netherlands and Singapore. They faced significant pressure in Abu Dhabi but managed to secure the constructors' championship for McLaren.

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Marco Bezzecchi: "It was all unfamiliar, and there was a significant duty" to work on a bike's development

“I've never had the chance to be involved in developing a bike…”

Marco Bezzecchi described his initial test with the official Aprilia MotoGP team as "a strange feeling," especially after transitioning from a satellite team.

The rider, who has claimed victory in three grand prix events, initially competed with Valentino Rossi's team using Ducati bikes from the previous year during the first three seasons of his MotoGP career. He then secured a contract with Aprilia's factory team for 2025.

Due to injuries, Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez were unable to participate in the first day of the Sepang test last week. As a result, Bezzecchi has taken the lead in the winter development of the RS-GP.

Never having had the experience of developing a bike before, Bezzecchi confessed that initially it felt "strange" to adapt to, and it was "a very emotional" experience.

"It's a positive experience. Being in Sepang felt unusual for me," he remarked on Wednesday, halfway through the initial day of testing in Buriram.

"All of it was unfamiliar territory. I had never had the chance to work on developing a MotoGP motorcycle before."

"It was both an overwhelming experience and a significant duty for me to strive to perform well."

"In Sepang, everything went well overall, thankfully, though we did miss Jorge, which is a well-known fact."

"We've made a strong restart here. With limited time available, we need to be more effective and accurate in making all the necessary adjustments."

"The team is putting in great effort, so I am committed to providing them with valuable feedback."

When questioned about whether he likes the extra pressure that comes with being a factory rider, he replied, "It's just a test, so there's pressure, but not really. Still, I do enjoy it."

At the midpoint of the first day in Buriram, Bezzecchi held the fifth position on the overall timesheets.

He and Aprilia are concentrating on evaluating all the remaining new components on Wednesday, so they can dedicate Thursday entirely to getting ready for the Thai Grand Prix race.

"We began from our position in Sepang," he mentioned.

"We are currently developing a few new products to experiment with."

"We plan to test a few more things today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on getting ready for the race weekend. Overall, it was a decent start to the morning."

"Our goal was to complete all tasks today. We had a productive session in Sepang."

"We put a lot of effort into planning the test here thoroughly. The team did an excellent job, so I hope I can provide them with detailed feedback to avoid needing to reassess anything tomorrow."

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Rumors in Italy suggest Lewis Hamilton has smoothly transitioned from Mercedes to Ferrari

It seems Lewis Hamilton has swiftly adjusted to his new surroundings at Ferrari.

It has been reported that Lewis Hamilton felt "instantly" more at ease behind the wheel of a Ferrari during his initial trials with the team, compared to his experiences in Mercedes vehicles.

As reported by the Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Hamilton experienced positive sensations after test-driving Ferrari's SF-23 and subsequently the SF-24.

The article states that Hamilton efficiently adjusted to driving Ferrari's equipment, specifically the SF-23, despite experiencing a crash on the second day during the Barcelona TPC trials.

According to the report, Hamilton experienced greater comfort driving both cars compared to his latest Mercedes vehicles.

The individual, aged 40, took Ferrari's 2023 race car for a spin at the Fiorano circuit in his inaugural week with the squad.

Subsequently, a TPC test took place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Last week saw Hamilton back on the track, piloting the SF-24, which came close to clinching the constructors’ championship but ultimately fell short to McLaren in 2024.

Ferrari's spirits are soaring following Hamilton's promising start

The atmosphere is extremely positive at Ferrari's Maranello base after an impressive initial period with Hamilton.

The article indicates that Ferrari believes Hamilton will show strong competitiveness in Australia's opening race.

Hamilton approaches 2025 following his least successful Formula 1 season so far.

The seven-time global champion secured two victories last season but was clearly outperformed by his Mercedes colleague, George Russell.

Hamilton primarily faced difficulties during qualifying sessions, surpassing Russell in just five instances across all the Saturday events of the season.

Hamilton is facing a formidable challenge with Charles Leclerc, his new teammate, who is considered by many to be the quickest driver in Formula 1.

Joining a new team is expected to bring a change in perspective for Hamilton, who often appeared disheartened during the final stages of his time with Mercedes.

Hamilton's performance was so underwhelming that it prompted him to make the surprising assertion that he's lost his speed.

Upcoming Focus: Hamilton and Ferrari's Future Moves

Following the completion of the Pirelli 2026 tyre evaluation, the spotlight now turns to the upcoming Formula 1 launch period.

On February 18, the O2 in London will host all 10 teams for the event 'F1 75 Live'.

Each of the 10 squads will be on hand to reveal their latest color schemes for the upcoming season.

A day from now, the SF-25, Ferrari's car for the year 2025, is set to be unveiled officially in Maranello.

Hamilton and Leclerc are anticipated to take to the circuit in their new vehicle on February 19.

This is in preparation for the pre-season trials in Bahrain, set to commence from February 26th to 28th.

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