Reports from Spain suggest that Sergio Perez is planning a comeback in Formula 1 with the latest team to join the sport.

According to reports, Sergio Perez is aiming to return to Formula 1 with Cadillac in the year 2026.

Following 14 continuous seasons in Formula 1, the 35-year-old Mexican driver finds himself without a team for 2025. This comes after Red Bull decided to let him go due to a very underwhelming performance in the 2024 season.

Due to Perez's disappointing performance and difficulties competing with Max Verstappen, Red Bull has decided to bring in Liam Lawson for the next season.

The racer, who has won six grand prix titles, announced he plans to step away from the sport for at least six months. During this break, he will consider his future possibilities and mentioned he might be drawn back if an "interesting project" arises.

This opportunity might arise with Cadillac, as they are gearing up to enter Formula 1 in 2026 as the 11th team in the competition.

An additional two spots are becoming available on the grid, and Perez, with his extensive experience and sponsorship support, emerges as a strong contender for a possible position with the American team.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Perez's main objective is to make a comeback to Formula 1, with the team owned by General Motors being considered a favorable choice for him.

1978 Formula 1 world champion Mario Andretti, currently serving as an advisor to Cadillac, has revealed that the team is interested in recruiting a seasoned driver.

When asked by NBC about the possibility of IndyCar star Colton Herta being a candidate, Andretti confirmed that Herta is indeed one of the individuals being considered.

From our perspective, the initial strategy should involve having one seasoned driver, regardless of their nationality, alongside a promising young American driver.

"Currently, these are the goals."

Who is on the sidelines, Perez or Bottas? This season, Valtteri Bottas finds himself alongside Perez in a reserve role, having rejoined Mercedes after being dropped by Sauber.

The driver, who has secured victory in ten grand prix races, is perceived as a seasoned F1 competitor that might attract Cadillac's interest.

However, as reported by Marca, Perez’s substantial sponsorship might give him an advantage over the Finnish competitor.

According to Marca, Perez is among the select group of racing drivers who can claim to help fill four racetracks: those in Mexico, Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas.

According to the report, Perez's supporters, among them Carlos Slim, are prepared to accompany him to his future destination.

Guenther Steiner, who previously served as the team principal for Haas, has recently mentioned Perez as a potential choice for Cadillac.

Steiner mentioned to GPBlog that Cadillac requires someone with experience. He noted that Checo, having been part of numerous teams over the years, is familiar with the dynamics and could be a significant asset.

"Consider offering him a one-year deal. That's a much better option than relying on inexperienced newcomers. This could be a chance for Checo."

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Formula 1 addresses concerns over proposed Rwanda race labeled as "blood-stained"

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has called on Formula 1 to abandon plans for a grand prix in Rwanda, citing ongoing tensions between the two countries.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has called on Formula 1 to cease discussions with Rwanda about the possibility of holding a grand prix there in the future.

In a communication addressed to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's foreign affairs minister, voiced worries about the potential scheduling of a race in Rwanda, given the current conflict between the two countries.

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has urged Formula 1 to avoid considering the idea, cautioning that it would result in an "association marked by bloodshed."

Hostilities have intensified between the neighboring nations following an assault by M23 rebels, who are reportedly supported by Rwanda, on Congolese government troops, ending a brief two-day pause in the conflict.

According to the most recent reports from the United Nations, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 2,900 individuals since the beginning of this year.

In a letter that has attracted significant media attention, Wagner expressed serious worries about the discussions reportedly taking place between Formula 1 and Rwanda regarding the possibility of holding a grand prix in Kigali, the nation's capital.

Rwanda, along with its allied group M23, is presently controlling a significant portion of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, causing the displacement of more than 700,000 Congolese people.

Although I commend Formula 1's intention to organize a race in Africa, I have reservations about whether Rwanda is the most suitable representative for our continent. I strongly recommend halting talks and eliminating Rwanda from the list of possible venues.

"Is Formula 1 truly willing to have its image tainted by a controversial connection with Rwanda? Is this nation really the ideal choice to showcase Africa in the world of motorsport?"

The United Nations has challenged Rwanda's claims that its military is not aiding the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In December, Rwanda revealed its intention to submit a proposal for hosting a grand prix, as Formula 1 considers making a comeback to the African continent.

President Paul Kagame of the nation announced discussions with Formula 1 regarding the possibility of hosting a race near the newly constructed Bugesera airport, located outside Kigali. This announcement came just before the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile's award ceremony took place in the country.

Formula 1 has not held a race on the African continent since the South African Grand Prix took place at Kyalami in 1993.

In reaction to the advisory, a spokesperson for Formula 1 stated, "We have been approached by numerous places globally expressing interest in hosting a future Formula 1 event."

"We thoroughly evaluate any possible requests, and any forthcoming choices will rely on complete information and align with the best interests of our sport and its principles."

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Marco Bezzecchi expressed concerns, admitting he was unsure of his actions

An Aprilia racer looks back on the off-season period

Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia revealed that he had been consistently anxious about the 2025 MotoGP pre-season tests, even prior to Jorge Martin's injury, because he felt uncertain about his approach.

The racer, who has won three grand prix titles, had not been part of a factory team until the beginning of the 2025 season. Before that, he had been competing on a Ducati bike from the previous year with VR46 Racing.

The start of Aprilia's pre-season was thrown into disarray on the first day of the Sepang test when reigning world champion Jorge Martin endured a serious crash, resulting in several fractures. This incident is expected to keep him sidelined until at least the Thai Grand Prix.

Marco Bezzecchi assumes leadership at Aprilia

Despite being new to the team, Bezzecchi has led the testing of the 2025 RS-GP and has shown remarkable performance.

He concluded the Sepang test among the top 10 riders and recorded Aprilia's quickest lap ever at Buriram during the second day of the Thailand test.

Bezzecchi mentions that Aprilia instilled a great deal of confidence in him, which eased his anxiety and concerns about embarking on his new venture.

"It’s been a good pre-season for me, particularly due to the incident in Malaysia where Jorge got injured," he mentioned.

"The situation caused a lot of concern among everyone. Personally, I felt anxious the entire time since it was my debut as a factory rider, and I was unsure of the steps I needed to take."

"However, they eventually placed a lot of trust in me, which was encouraging. It was uplifting to witness the positive atmosphere and see everyone eager to get to work."

"This boosted my confidence to aim for the best outcome, making the pre-season a positive experience."

He stated, "I'm pleased. I sensed a favorable atmosphere for myself. Naturally, it's entirely unlike what I was accustomed to."

"However, truthfully, I've also encountered numerous dedicated individuals who put in a lot of effort, both at the workplace and in their personal lives. Therefore, I'm extremely pleased to be part of the Aprilia team."

Bezzecchi expressed his admiration for the RS-GP's front-end performance and mentioned that he is adjusting to the bike effectively. However, he remarked that he faces challenges with new tires during qualifying, even though he delivered an impressive lap in Buriram.

He admitted that he had been feeling positive since the Barcelona test in Montmelo last November, which took place after the season ended.

"Naturally, getting used to everything required time, and I believe I'm still adjusting in certain aspects of riding."

"Frankly speaking, this bike quickly instilled a strong sense of front-end confidence in me. This is crucial for adapting effectively."

"When you trust your instincts, things tend to get simpler in the end."

"However, I must admit that I'm still having difficulties with the new tires. The bike behaves quite differently when we equip it with the new tires, so I'm still in the process of fully adapting to the change."

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Concerning sounds emerge from KTM's pit as latest sensation puzzled by motorcycle's peculiarities

"The primary issue arose with me, as I'm still accustomed to the Ducati's handling,"

Enea Bastianini expressed concerns about his adjustment to the KTM following the first day of testing in Buriram.

Bastianini ranked 16th in the timing charts during the official MotoGP preseason trials.

He subsequently acknowledged that transitioning from the factory Ducati to a Tech3 KTM is turning out to be more challenging than initially expected.

"Bastianini mentioned on Wednesday that he was overwhelmed with tasks, largely due to a lack of motivation. Despite attempting numerous remedies, they ultimately proved ineffective."

"In the afternoon, we headed in the reverse direction."

"We experimented with something outside my typical preferences."

Ultimately, I was pleased with the bicycle.

The primary issue originated from me, as I possess a mindset aligned with Ducati's style.

"This bicycle doesn't exactly resemble a Ducati…"

Bastianini Expresses Surprise at KTM Differences

Bastianini has acknowledged his surprise at the significant differences between the Ducati and KTM motorcycles.

"Somewhat," he replied. "From an external perspective, it appeared fairly alike on the track.

"However, internally? It's a whole other story."

"I require additional time than initially anticipated to feel at ease and increase my speed."

Bastianini identified the main aspect in which he's lagging.

"He clarified that utilizing the back brake is actually contrary to what one might expect."

Utilizing the back brake while on a straight path causes significant movement in the rear.

The tremors originating from the back proceed to the front!

"However, altering this following several years proves to be challenging. It would require a remarkable outcome."

Nonetheless, Bastianini noted, “My performance enhanced in the afternoon, and that brings me joy.”

He has an additional day to test his KTM prior to the inaugural race weekend in Thailand from February 28 to March 2.

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Jack Doohan received advice on how to handle the challenge posed by Franco Colapinto. He has been instructed to ensure he becomes "indispensable" to prevent being removed from his position halfway through the season.

Former Formula 1 driver Anthony Davidson has stated that Jack Doohan must strive to become "indispensable" due to the rising challenge posed by Franco Colapinto at Alpine.

In 2025, Doohan is set to join forces with Pierre Gasly for his inaugural full season in Formula 1 with the Alpine team.

In an unexpected turn, an Australian driver made his first appearance in Formula 1 at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. He stepped in for Esteban Ocon, who had arranged with Flavio Briatore to depart from the team ahead of schedule in order to begin testing with his new team, Haas.

Although Doohan has only participated in one F1 race, he is already facing significant pressure to maintain his position.

Alpine has enlisted Colapinto to serve as their test and reserve driver for the forthcoming season.

Briatore holds the Argentine in high regard, creating an expectation for Doohan to deliver strong results right away to prevent being substituted during the season.

Evaluating Doohan's potential to retain his position, Davidson commented to Sky Sports: "Jack Doohan had been eagerly anticipating a spot in Alpine's racing team since his time in Formula 2. He eventually seized the opportunity to join the starting lineup at the last race in Abu Dhabi last year, gearing up for the current season."

Shortly after signing, Colapinto appears, instantly placing pressure on him even before the inaugural race begins.

"It's clearly not the best situation to find oneself in. Doohan will undoubtedly have to hit the ground running, as he aims to secure his spot on the team and prove his indispensability."

What are Alpine's potential accomplishments for 2025? Despite beginning 2024 sluggishly, Alpine concluded the year as the leading team in the midfield category.

Pierre Gasly's strong performance towards the end of the season helped Alpine secure sixth place in the constructors' championship, surpassing Haas.

Alpine's impressive achievement of securing two spots on the podium at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix played a crucial role in their victory in the battle among the midfield teams in the constructors' championship.

In 2025, they will conclude their tenure as a factory team and transition to being a customer of Mercedes.

Alpine's performance towards the conclusion of 2024 might inspire optimism for a successful year ahead, as they could potentially target Aston Martin in what is expected to be a competition for fifth place.

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"Pecco Bagnaia's 'Body Language' Suggests He's Chasing Marc Marquez

During the MotoGP test in Buriram, the Italian rider's body language has caught attention."

The competition for dominance in the factory Ducati MotoGP garage between Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez seems to be tilting in favor of the Spaniard, Marc Marquez.

Following the Sepang test, both competitors appeared to be quite evenly matched. Bagnaia achieved the fastest overall lap time, while Marquez excelled in the Sprint simulation.

During this week's MotoGP test in Buriram, Marquez has clearly outperformed his Italian teammate.

The eight-time World Champion led the first day of the Buriram test, while Bagnaia faced setbacks due to technical problems. On Thursday, the rider with the #63 was seen showing animated behavior during one specific return to the Ducati Lenovo Team's pit area.

"In this role, you won't receive all the details, so you need to become skilled at reading body language," explained Jack Appleyard, a pit lane reporter for MotoGP.com.

"Did you see how Pecco walked? And the manner in which he removed his glove?"

"I observed him being lively all day, but he seemed quite displeased."

"Up to this point, he is trying to match his teammate's performance."

Currently, it's hard to determine whether Bagnaia's animated reactions were due to his own performance or a recurrence of the technical issues he faced on Wednesday. However, during this last test of the 2025 preseason, Marquez seems to have the upper hand in the competition between the two factory Ducati riders. Both are undoubtedly the top contenders for this year's world championship title.

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Marc Marquez Points Out Flaws in 2025 Ducati MotoGP Engine

Leader of the First Day at Buriram Test Discusses Issues with Ducati's Engine

Marc Marquez has stated that Ducati's inclination to compete with the GP24 MotoGP engine in 2025 stems from the GP25 model having significant weaknesses.

At the Buriram testing event on Wednesday, the head of the Ducati team, Davide Tardozzi, revealed that the company is expected to approve the 2024 engine for the upcoming season. This decision comes as the GP25-spec engine was deemed too risky to proceed with.

Manufacturers without concessions will see their engine development halted for a two-year period starting with the first race of the 2025 season in Thailand.

Marquez states that Ducati shouldn't gamble on approving a GP25 model that the riders have reservations about, especially given its clear shortcomings, after the GP24 secured victories in 16 out of 20 races last season.

"Marquez pointed out, 'On one hand, we have the engine, and on the other, there are all these new, smaller components,' after leading the first day of testing in Buriram."

"Today, our focus was primarily on the 2024 engine for the majority of the day, as it seems that if the situation remains the same tomorrow, this will be our direction for the season."

"Why? The reason is that Ducati is highly pragmatic and intelligent. They're aware that it's too risky to approve an engine without being completely certain it surpasses the 2024 model. Once an engine is approved, it's set for two years."

"From the initial day until now, it's clear that the year 2025 has had its highs and lows – exhibiting remarkable strength in certain aspects, while showing notable weaknesses in others."

"Thus, they possess the expertise to utilize the 2024 model across various racing circuits."

"Last year, they secured victories in 16 races, indicating that the bike had a solid foundation."

"It appears that we are currently heading into the base, with plans to verify again tomorrow."

"I'm really confident with the 2024 foundation. By 2024, I mean the 2024 motorcycle model. It's built on the 2024 framework, including the motor, but there's been significant effort put into refining minor components that we're currently incorporating into that motor."

Francesco Bagnaia's assessment of the 2025 engine

Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia believes that the 2025 engine doesn't lack competitiveness inherently. However, he notes that the team has encountered challenges in achieving optimal braking balance, which affects their ability to race confidently with it.

"Truthfully, making a decision is quite challenging, and at present, we're all inclined toward the same option, including the team: opting for the 2024 engine," said Bagnaia, who finished eighth in Wednesday's race in Thailand.

"It's not that the 2025 season lacks competitiveness, but rather we're grappling with finding the right equilibrium in braking, and beginning the season with an engine for which we can't seem to find a resolution would essentially place us in a state of uncertainty."

"Moreover, we are fortunate that Marc [Marquez] encountered no problems today, as everything on my end of the garage was malfunctioning right from the beginning of the day."

"We faced numerous challenges, and thankfully, my team performed outstandingly, providing me with a slight chance to ride. However, today, right from the beginning, nothing seemed to function properly."

In 2022, Ducati's official team chose to use a previous version of the engine in its latest motorcycle following challenges during the pre-season testing with the complete GP22 engine.

Statements given by Derry Munikartono, the Indonesian Editor for Crash

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A MotoGP competitor acknowledges feeling tense on the motorcycle following an accident.

The racer from Trackhouse underwent a hand surgery recently.

Raul Fernandez reports feeling "devastated" following his initial experience with the Trackhouse Aprilia during the MotoGP test session in Buriram, coming shortly after undergoing an operation for a broken hand the previous week.

The second-place finisher in the 2021 Moto2 championship experienced a high-speed accident during the first day of the Sepang trials last week, resulting in a fracture to his left hand.

He was deemed unable to participate in the remainder of the test and returned to his home country for an operation. Fortunately, the surgery was a success, allowing him to make a comeback in Thailand this week.

He finished 33 circuits on Wednesday during the Buriram trial, landing in the 19th position on the leaderboard.

Raul Fernandez makes a comeback after being injured

Fernandez described the day as generally good, yet he acknowledges that his injuries prevent him from feeling comfortable while riding.

"I'm not in the best shape," he remarked.

Following the accident, I find it impossible to feel at ease while cycling.

"Fortunately for me, there aren't many left turns here, and particularly on those left turns, I'm unable to exert much effort due to my issues with both my finger and my foot."

"I'm unable to assume my usual posture on the bicycle; it feels nearly unachievable."

"For my experience, the initial day turned out to be very encouraging, with the level of discomfort being manageable. This was the most important aspect."

"Basically, we're currently focusing on our speed, making an effort to adapt to the used tire, instead of concentrating on achieving a faster lap time."

"I'm aware that nearly everyone is on the verge of demonstrating their speed capability through lap times."

"I don't see things that way. My attention is more on my own progress, and I'm genuinely pleased with our accomplishments today. All in all, it was a good day."

"I find myself unable to relax during left-hand turns, which complicates things since I struggle to position my feet as I'd prefer, forcing me to remain tense while navigating the bend."

"I'm devastated. Aside from that, the day went well."

Despite his discomfort, Fernandez anticipates returning to peak physical condition in time for the Thai Grand Prix happening at this month's close.

"In the competition, the aim is to be fully prepared because undergoing surgery was a step I took not just to participate, but also to ensure I'm in peak condition for the race week," he further stated.

"If the surgery doesn't go as planned, I might not be able to compete in the race. However, I'm optimistic and believe that I'll be between 95% to fully prepared for the event."

"If things don't go as planned, I'll stay concentrated and strive to give my all as usual.

"Overall, I find myself content. My aim today is to concentrate on the here and now, and for tomorrow, I'm hopeful since we're exploring a new approach, and I'm eager to discover the outcomes."

During Wednesday's test at Buriram, Fernandez had the opportunity to spend additional hours riding the 2025 RS-GP. He observed significant improvements compared to last year's model, though he mentioned the need for an adjustment period due to the bike's challenging handling.

"He mentioned noticing many positive aspects while cycling."

"I've noticed a couple or a few areas where we faced significant challenges since joining Aprilia, but we've made substantial progress in those areas."

"I find that the bicycle is quite simple to operate and I notice a distinct difference when riding it."

"Additionally, I believe this motorcycle possesses greater possibilities, especially regarding speed and circuit performance."

"I believe this bicycle has the potential to achieve greater speed. However, we require additional time to make improvements. It's not a simple bike to enhance."

"I require additional time to grasp the concept, and my team requires more time to determine the right configuration for speed. The real query is about the duration it will take for me to regain my speed on the motorcycle."

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Luca Marini announces significant decision regarding Honda – unresolved queries persist

Luca Marini discusses Honda's advancements in Buriram

Luca Marini revealed that Honda is clear about the specific setup they plan to use for the MotoGP race in Thailand.

The company has finalized their choices for the season's first race following a decision made in Buriram.

Marini delivered a remarkable performance by securing the sixth-fastest time on the first day of the official MotoGP testing, held at the same track where the season's opening race is set to take place.

Marini responded, "In Sepang too, I started off quickly. However, subsequently, everyone else delivered an incredible lap time.

"Today mattered significantly as our attention was centered on the environment."

"We explored every option, implementing all available updates. During our time in Sepang, our attention was dedicated to finalizing the components for the inaugural race."

"Here, at the starting point of the inaugural race, our aim is to unleash the full capabilities of this motorcycle."

"We made efforts to enhance the bicycle, and it turned out to be a productive day for that purpose."

Marini has stated that Honda's setup will remain unchanged until the early stages of the 2025 season.

"Absolutely, the motorcycle will remain as is for the initial four competitions. We've made all our selections," he confirmed.

"After the initial quartet of races, we will gauge our capabilities and aspirations."

Luca Marini suggests Honda competitors might enhance their performance

On Wednesday in Buriram, Marini wasn't the sole standout Honda.

Johann Zarco finished in seventh place, while Joan Mir came in 11th.

It signifies a beacon of hope for the producer of the least impressive motorcycle in 2024.

Marini humorously remarked, "My mood always lifts when they can't keep up with my pace!"

"We need to pause and observe the initial race. Several competitors still have tricks up their sleeves."

"We can remain optimistic and make the most of what we have."

Marini suggested what Honda could potentially explore in their Thursday trials, saying, “Given the quality of the tyres at our disposal, completing the entire distance isn't crucial. The tyres maintain their performance consistently across an entire race without any issues.

"Completing 20 laps rather than 27 is fine; it's still acceptable."

"The key factor is the speed during the initial 10 laps. This allows you to secure a spot and maintain it by effectively handling the tyres."

Marini stayed guarded regarding Honda's expectations for the initial race on March 2.

"He mentioned, 'Our performance has enhanced since our previous race at this location, the motorcycle has improved.'"

"However, we acknowledge that the competition has the upper hand."

"We're making significant efforts to advance. From our perspective, everything has improved."

"However, it's crucial for us to grasp the speed of our competitors during a race weekend."

Statements made by Derry Munikartono, Editor at Crash Indonesian

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Lando Norris confidently addresses Max Verstappen and others regarding the F1 championship, stating, "I am at my peak in terms of physical and mental fitness. I believe our team is also at its strongest. It's essential that we are."

Lando Norris believes he is well-prepared to clinch the F1 world championship this year, stating, "I'm in the best condition I've ever been."

In 2024, Norris achieved a significant milestone by securing his first victory in a Formula 1 race at the Miami Grand Prix.

Norris guided McLaren to their first F1 constructors' championship in 26 years, surpassing Ferrari by 14 points.

Although there were several positive moments, Norris and McLaren felt a bit let down that they couldn't challenge Max Verstappen more strongly for the championship.

Verstappen secured victory in 7 out of the first 10 races, while McLaren regretted several lost chances due to mistakes in strategy and errors made by their drivers.

As Formula 1's technical rules stay unchanged during the off-season, there is widespread anticipation that McLaren will contend for both championships starting with the inaugural race in Australia.

During an appearance on ITV's program This Morning, Norris shared his reasons for feeling optimistic as he prepares for the upcoming season.

"Last year, I demonstrated something important to myself. I've always been someone who prefers not to get caught up in the excitement surrounding things. I tend to rely on tangible evidence, particularly in relation to my own actions."

"Last year, I demonstrated to myself that I am capable of winning races, taking control of an entire weekend, and competing with the top competitors globally. I needed to show myself that I could achieve this, and I succeeded in doing so. However, I am not claiming that it was flawless, as I certainly made some errors along the way."

"I made quite a few mistakes and missteps, but I'm glad they happened last year. Now, I can start this year with a sense of assurance. Feeling confident is unusual for me, but that's how I would describe myself now."

"I wouldn't say I'm too confident, but I'm in the best condition of my life, both physically and mentally. I believe our team is in top form as well, and it's essential that we are. While expectations are high, our resolve matches them. I'm feeling calm and eager, with a subtle sense of confidence."

Is Norris the top contender for 2025?

Several bookmakers suggest that Norris is the leading candidate to clinch the F1 world championship this year.

Norris finished the year on a high note with decisive victories in both Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

There is no doubt about his sheer speed, as he consistently maintained a comfortable distance from Oscar Piastri all year long.

Norris must exhibit greater assertiveness during close racing situations with competitors such as Verstappen. Additionally, he should demonstrate more confidence during the initial lap to hold onto his impressive qualifying spots.

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Pecco Bagnaia has decided to discard the 2025 frame, acknowledging the need to scrutinize Marc Marquez's information. "Thankfully, on the opposite end of the pit…"

Francesco Bagnaia acknowledged the need to review Marc Marquez's performance metrics following a challenging test day in Buriram.

Issues with the engine, chassis, and fairing led to a more challenging day for Bagnaia compared to his Ducati team colleague, Marquez.

"Bagnaia admitted that Wednesday was a challenging day."

We needed to put in considerable effort to address issues we encountered across multiple sectors.

Luckily, on the opposite side of the garage, they've achieved some advancement, so we'll examine their findings, which boosts my confidence.

"As always, my team performed excellently, and now we're taking a break. We'll resume our efforts from this point tomorrow."

Bagnaia concentrates on Ducati's 2024 MotoGP frame issues

Bagnaia has disclosed that he is prioritizing work on the 2024 Ducati MotoGP frame, opting to overlook the enhancements slated for the 2025 model.

The brand from Italy unveiled a fresh chassis design for the 2025 season during the previous year's testing session in Barcelona. Initially, Bagnaia had a favorable view of it while in Spain. However, the subsequent testing in Malaysia presented challenges, leading to Bagnaia setting aside the new chassis during this week's MotoGP testing in Buriram, at least temporarily.

"Frankly, our attention will shift more towards the 2025 chassis going forward," he stated.

"At present, our attention is directed towards different aspects of the motorcycle, as is typical, given the limited time we have to prioritize and make decisions on matters of greater significance."

Following the test in Barcelona the previous year, Bagnaia was initially pleased with the new chassis. However, he noted that his viewpoint shifted somewhat during the subsequent test in Malaysia.

Upon reaching Malaysia, we found that the new framework was functional; however, we encountered some problems. As a result, we opted to remove it and consider the possibility of reevaluating it at a later time.

Discover more: Marc Marquez points out significant flaws in the 2025 Ducati MotoGP power unit.

Pecco Bagnaia discusses the 2025 fairing

Comments from Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia on Ducati's engine for 2025 are in ⚙️🗣️#MotoGP #BuriramTest pic.twitter.com/BMuCMrdJ2m— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) February 12, 2025

Feedback from Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia regarding Ducati's 2025 engine ⚙️🗣️#MotoGP #BuriramTest pic.twitter.com/BMuCMrdJ2m

Bagnaia is moving forward alongside his Ducati Lenovo team member Marc Marquez towards adopting the 2024 Desmosedici engine and seems to be continuing with the 2024 frame as well. However, he is persisting in testing the 2025 fairing, despite not being completely convinced of its benefits.

Bagnaia noted that the track in Buriram offers an excellent testing ground due to its limited grip, highlighting his ongoing determination.

"Bagnaia believes this is the case due to the minimal grip at the Buriram International Circuit."

"Additionally, our tire casing is unique compared to the usual design, but it doesn't offer much traction, so that's a factor to consider."

On the initial day at Buriram, Bagnaia was the sole rider to test the 2025 fairing, encountering issues he chose not to elaborate on. These problems hindered his capacity to provide useful insights to the Ducati engineering team, particularly concerning the new fairing. As a result, further assessments are slated for Thursday.

"At this point, I believe the fairing is key since you have the opportunity to modify it only once throughout the season, and the 2024 version was performing effectively," commented Bagnaia.

"However, today I managed to do a few circuits on the 2025 model; the experience wasn’t completely straightforward due to some concurrent problems, but we endeavored to discover some positive aspects of it."

“I didn't lag too much, because truthfully, even without executing a time trial with this fairing, my time was only 0.8 seconds behind compared to when I did a time trial. So, it's not a huge gap, but we need to concentrate more on it tomorrow.

"We need to begin virtually from scratch tomorrow to gather additional feedback."

He emphasized, “Conducting a lengthy session on Thursday will be crucial, but initially, we must provide more insights to our team. This is because offering any feedback today was challenging due to the day's unfortunate circumstances.”

Statements given by Derry Munikartono, the Indonesian Editor for Crash.

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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 racing motorcycle news.

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Maverick Vinales calls for patience over KTM switch

The Spanish rider downplays worries following poor first day testing results at Buriram

Maverick Vinales has expressed that he's unworried about where he stands in the MotoGP pre-season tests on the KTM, feeling confident that he will adapt seamlessly in due time.

The KTM team members Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder finished among the top 10 on the first day of testing in Buriram, whereas the Tech3 duo of Enea Bastianini and Vinales found themselves in 16th and 18th positions, respectively.

On Wednesday, Bastianini conveyed to the press that he's facing difficulties adjusting to the RC16 as he continues attempting to pilot it similarly to how he would a Ducati.

Vinales, after spending three years with Aprilia, is facing challenges adjusting to the unique characteristics of the KTM. However, he remains confident that everything will fall into place in due time.

"He believes it's about dedicating time and having faith in the advancement," he stated.

"Undoubtedly, there will come a moment, sudden as a click, when all our efforts pay off. Hence, it's crucial that we persist in enhancing and adjusting to the bike."

"At present, our preference would be to find ourselves in a different situation, yet it's essential that we continue to deepen our understanding of the motorcycle."

In response to whether this pre-season has been more difficult than anticipated, Vinales commented, "Not really, each pre-season brings its unique challenges.

"Likely, our focus should shift from what it was in the past years. It's all about the journey. We must find joy in the effort and aim to make incremental progress daily."

"I generally enjoy everything about the bike. The only issue is mastering its full potential, which I believe will happen in time. I just need to put in more practice laps."

Regarding the aspects he must enhance, Vinales acknowledges his proficiency in handling the middle part of a corner and coming out of it but admits he has yet to master the braking technique necessary for the RC16.

"He clarified, stating, 'When it comes to peak performance and fuel, I'm quite knowledgeable.'"

"Thus, it seems I'm at a pretty high standard. However, the braking technique required differs significantly from what was needed with past brands."

"Thus, it requires patience, it's not effortless."

"Subsequently, installing new tires makes everything more challenging."

"Thus, adapting to the system requires patience. I'm quite familiar with the process, having acclimated myself over the past years. The key is to stay composed, and eventually, everything will fall into place."

Statements given by Derry Munikartono, the Indonesian editor for Crash.

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