Fabio Quartararo is set for a comeback at the forefront of MotoGP racing in 2025. The upcoming season holds significant importance for Yamaha, which aims to break its current streak without victories. At the helm of this effort is a former world champion eager to realize his full potential, according to Lewis Duncan.

Financial incentives are highly appealing to any racing competitor. At the beginning of last year, Yamaha was aware of the risk of losing its star rider, Fabio Quartararo, because it was unable once more to provide him with the motorcycle necessary to secure a second MotoGP world championship following his 2021 victory.

Aprilia showed interest but lacked the necessary financial resources. Meanwhile, Yamaha committed a significant sum of €12 million per year, securing the deal until the end of 2026. The agreement was promptly finalized. This was one of two strategic moves made by Lin Jarvis, the outgoing head of the factory team, to ensure stability for the future; the other was establishing a partnership with Pramac as its official satellite team.

Rejecting a lucrative offer isn't a simple decision, but Quartararo committed himself to the challenging task of restoring Yamaha to its former glory. The decision became more persuasive for him when the Japanese company hired Max Bartolini, who was previously Gigi Dall’Igna’s close associate at Ducati, to take on the role of technical director.

From an engineering perspective, Bartolini has successfully softened the traditionally rigid approach of Yamaha's Japanese operations. In 2024, the M1 regularly received new components during both test sessions and race weekends, taking full advantage of the concessions available to it.

On the technical front, his most significant achievement has been persuading Yamaha to embark on a V4 engine project. However, there hasn't been any announcement regarding when it will be tested on the track. In recent times, Yamaha has consistently utilized inline-four engines, but it now stands alone in this approach.

This aligns with Yamaha's efforts to increase engine power, but Bartolini explained to Peter McLaren of Crash.net last winter that this isn't the ultimate objective: “Regarding the V4, most people focus on the engine. However, I believe the main benefit comes from the bike's design rather than the engine itself."

Regarding sheer power, according to our engine team, there shouldn't be a significant difference. However, the V4 configuration does offer some advantages in organizing the bike's design.

Yamaha's M1 motorcycle has long struggled with insufficient rear grip, a problem it has faced for several years. This issue has played a role in diminishing the bike's once-renowned agility, which was a key factor in Quartararo's immediate success and formidable presence when he first joined Yamaha as a rookie in 2019.

Throughout the 2024 season, minor enhancements were implemented, leading to Quartararo achieving Yamaha's top performance of the year by finishing sixth at the Malaysian Grand Prix. With the start of winter testing, Yamaha aims to continue its progress from this point.

Yamaha faces a significant challenge ahead. Last year, the team finished fourth out of five in the constructors' rankings, accumulating 124 points. This placed them a staggering 598 points behind Ducati and 178 points behind Aprilia, which secured third place. Fabio Quartararo was Yamaha's top performer, ending the season in 13th place with only 113 points, marking the lowest total of his career. Meanwhile, his teammate, Alex Rins, finished in 18th place during his inaugural year on the M1, as he continued to struggle with injuries.

During Yamaha's launch event held on Friday, Rins highlighted the challenge by stating, "It's tough to claim that we'll be contending for victory right from the opening race, as that's not the case."

In recent seasons, Quartararo has often been a symbol of disappointment as Yamaha struggled to provide him with the necessary support. However, over the past year, he has definitely become more relaxed. He has come to understand that his path to victory on the Yamaha requires hard work. During the launch, he mentioned that his sole aim for the upcoming season is to begin it in the same strong manner as he concluded the previous one.

During Yamaha's launch event, he shared with Crash.net his thoughts on the year's conclusion, particularly from mid-year onward, saying, "I believe the development towards the end of the year was positive." He added that while discovering a solution is a step forward, the next challenge is enhancing speed by focusing on crucial elements like grip, power, electronics, and aerodynamics. Improving these factors is essential, he emphasized.

Should that scenario unfold, Yamaha is expected to consistently compete within the top 10 from the start. With Pramac switching to Yamaha and two Ducatis leaving the grid, this task will become slightly more manageable.

During challenging times for Yamaha, Quartararo stood out as a beacon of hope. Despite internal conflicts involving management and Maverick Vinales, he stayed focused and secured the championship in 2021. He continued to fight valiantly into the last race of the 2022 season, even though he faced a significant disadvantage in terms of equipment compared to Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.

During that year, Quartararo was securing victories and competing for the championship, while his closest Yamaha counterpart, Franco Morbidelli, was in 19th place. Andrea Dovizioso retired after competing in the San Marino GP, following an underwhelming return with RNF Racing.

In 2023, Quartararo stood out as the sole Yamaha rider to make it to the podium and maintained a 70-point lead over the next closest Yamaha competitor in the rankings. Despite Rins not consistently performing at his peak, Quartararo outperformed him in 12 out of 17 grands prix, secured better qualifying positions 14 times compared to Rins' 4, and was the only Yamaha rider to earn points in sprint races.

Many racers claim they consistently put in their full effort, even when facing challenges. Quartararo is among the rare ones whom you can truly believe does so. He is a superstar and is fully aware of his status. However, perhaps the most significant impact Bartolini has had on Yamaha is his role as a sort of head coach for Quartararo. He has alleviated his concerns and, with Quartararo's assistance, instilled confidence that the difficult period will eventually come to an end.

In the past, Quartararo would become frustrated when discussing with the press if a new addition to the bike failed to deliver results. However, his perspective on such matters has now changed significantly.

"We should begin with the 2024 baseline in our tests and then evaluate whether it's an improvement," he stated. "Just because something is new doesn't necessarily make it better. This is a crucial point we must remember."

Throughout the early months of last year, Quartararo was vocal about his desire for Yamaha to secure a satellite team. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez was maneuvering to secure a position with Ducati's main team, rejecting a potential switch to Pramac, which inadvertently benefited Yamaha. Over the years, Pramac has been a leading satellite team, and it played a significant role in Jorge Martin's journey to winning the riders' championship last season, before his transition to Aprilia.

For many years leading up to 2025, the team operated much like a factory Ducati team, albeit with different branding. Now, Yamaha has found the ideal collaborator to accelerate the progress of their motorcycle development. With seasoned riders Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira on board, they are well-equipped to advance this mission.

Yamaha's recent advancements, combined with Quartararo's evident skills, have certainly drawn attention. Both Francesco Bagnaia and Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, have identified the French rider as a potential leading competitor in 2025.

Over the past two seasons, Quartararo's performance on the Yamaha, despite its declining position on the grid, has been remarkably impressive. Should Yamaha continue on its current path, Quartararo is poised to generate significant buzz once more in the MotoGP arena.

Statements shared by Peter McLaren, the Editor of Crash MotoGP

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Fabio Quartararo is set to make a comeback at the forefront of MotoGP in 2025. This year is crucial for Yamaha, as the team is eager to break its current streak without victories. At the helm of this effort is a world champion determined to realize his full capabilities, reports Lewis Duncan.

Financial incentives are highly appealing to any racer. At the beginning of the previous year, Yamaha was aware of the possibility of losing its star rider, Fabio Quartararo, due to its repeated inability to provide him with the motorcycle necessary to secure a second consecutive MotoGP world championship following his 2021 victory.

Aprilia showed interest but lacked the financial resources. Meanwhile, Yamaha invested heavily, committing €12 million annually until the conclusion of 2026, and an agreement was swiftly reached. This was one of two significant strategic moves made by the departing factory team leader Lin Jarvis; the other involved securing Pramac as their official satellite team partner.

Although refusing a substantial paycheck is challenging, Quartararo committed himself to the hard work of restoring Yamaha to its former glory. This decision was made easier when Yamaha hired Max Bartolini, who previously worked closely with Gigi Dall’Igna at Ducati, as the new technical director.

On the engineering front, Bartolini managed to soften Yamaha's traditionally rigid Japanese work methods. Throughout 2024, the M1 constantly received new components during both test sessions and race weekends, effectively utilizing its concessions.

One of his most significant achievements, particularly from a technical standpoint, is persuading Yamaha to embark on a V4 engine project. However, there is no specified timeline for when this new engine will be tested on the track. Traditionally, Yamaha has relied on inline-four engines in recent years, but it now stands alone in this approach.

In line with Yamaha's efforts to boost engine performance, Bartolini shared with Crash.net's Peter McLaren last winter that the ultimate objective isn't solely about the engine: "When it comes to the V4, people often focus on the engine itself. However, I believe the main benefit actually comes from the bike's overall design rather than just the engine."

From a power standpoint, according to our engine department, the difference should be negligible. However, the V4 design offers some advantages in terms of making the bike's layout easier to handle.

Yamaha has struggled for several years with insufficient rear grip on its M1, which has played a part in diminishing the bike's renowned agility. This issue has affected the performance that made Quartararo a formidable competitor since his debut with Yamaha in 2019 as a rookie.

As the 2024 campaign progressed, minor advancements were seen, with Quartararo achieving the team's top performance of the season by finishing sixth at the Malaysian Grand Prix. With the start of winter testing, Yamaha aims to continue its momentum.

Yamaha faces a significant challenge ahead. Last year, they ranked fourth out of five in the constructors’ standings, accumulating only 124 points. This left them trailing Ducati by 598 points and Aprilia, who placed third, by 178 points. Fabio Quartararo was the standout performer for Yamaha, finishing 13th with just 113 points, marking the lowest total of his career. Meanwhile, his teammate, Alex Rins, finished 18th in his debut season on the M1, as he continued to struggle with injuries.

During Yamaha's launch event on Friday, Rins expressed, "It's really challenging to promise that we'll be competing for a win right from the opening race, because that wouldn't be accurate."

In recent seasons, Quartararo has often been visibly frustrated due to Yamaha's inability to provide him with the necessary support. However, over the past year, he has noticeably calmed down. He has come to understand that to achieve victory again on the Yamaha, he must put in the effort. During the launch, he mentioned that he has no specific expectations for the upcoming year, except that he aims to begin the season as he concluded the last one.

At Yamaha's launch event, he expressed to Crash.net that the development towards the latter part of the year, particularly from the middle to the end, was positive. He mentioned that they have discovered a path forward, but emphasized that it's crucial to not only find a direction but to enhance speed by improving key areas such as grip, power, electronics, and aerodynamics, which are vital components.

If this situation unfolds, Yamaha should be a regular contender for the top 10 right from the start. With Pramac switching to Yamaha and thus reducing the number of Ducatis in the competition, this task could become marginally less challenging.

During Yamaha's challenging times, Quartararo has consistently been a beacon of hope. Despite internal conflicts involving management and Maverick Vinales, he stayed focused and secured the championship in 2021. Even with a noticeable equipment disadvantage compared to Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia, he fought hard and remained competitive until the last race of the 2022 season.

During that year, Quartararo was achieving victories and contending for the championship title, whereas the closest Yamaha competitor was his teammate Franco Morbidelli, who ranked 19th. Meanwhile, Andrea Dovizioso retired after the San Marino Grand Prix, following an underwhelming return with RNF Racing.

In the year 2023, Fabio Quartararo stood out as the sole Yamaha rider to secure a spot on the podium, finishing with a 70-point advantage over the closest Yamaha competitor in the rankings. Despite Alex Rins not consistently performing at his peak, Quartararo outperformed him in grand prix races with a score of 12 to 5, and in qualifying sessions, leading 14 to 4. Additionally, Quartararo was the only Yamaha rider to earn points in the sprint races.

Many racers claim they always put in their full effort, even when facing challenges. Quartararo, however, is one of the rare individuals you can truly believe does so. He recognizes his own superstar status. Yet, perhaps Bartolini's most significant impact on Yamaha has been his role as a kind of head coach for Quartararo. He has worked to calm his anxieties and, with the assistance of the French rider, instill confidence that the dry spell will eventually come to an end.

In the past, Quartararo would express his frustration to the media if a new component added to the bike failed to function properly. Now, however, his perspective has changed entirely.

He mentioned that beginning with the 2024 baseline during testing is crucial, and then determining if there are improvements. He emphasized that new doesn’t always mean better, which is an important consideration to remember.

During the initial months of the previous year, Quartararo was vocal in urging Yamaha to secure a satellite team. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez's strategic maneuver to secure a spot with a factory Ducati team, while declining a move to Pramac, turned out to be advantageous for Yamaha. For several years, Pramac has been the standout satellite team, having elevated Jorge Martin, who is currently with Aprilia, to the championship title last season.

For many years leading up to 2025, a team that operated like a Ducati factory squad, albeit with different branding, has now found an ideal collaborator in Yamaha to accelerate motorcycle development. The team is bolstered by the expertise of seasoned riders Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira, who are well-equipped to contribute to this effort.

Yamaha's efforts in development, along with Quartararo's evident skills, have certainly drawn attention. Francesco Bagnaia mentioned the French rider as a potential leading contender for 2025, a sentiment echoed by Massimo Rivola, the CEO of Aprilia.

Over the past two seasons, Quartararo has managed to deliver impressive performances on the Yamaha, even as its position in the rankings has declined. Should Yamaha continue on its current path, Quartararo is likely to become a prominent figure once more in the MotoGP scene.

Statements shared by Peter McLaren, the editor of Crash MotoGP

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Yamaha's MotoGP team members were asked about their intentions regarding a V4 engine. Their response was, "We have test riders to handle those evaluations…"

Yamaha's racing team is scheduled to start testing this Saturday during the MotoGP Sepang shakedown, but the attention will not be on their much-anticipated V4 engine.

In the previous year, Yamaha revealed its plans to venture into creating a V4 engine, marking its first exploration of this type in contemporary times, as it has consistently focused on its inline-four engine approach until now.

This shift from its traditional development approach stems from the innovative mindset that technical director Max Bartolini has introduced to the Japanese company.

During Yamaha's launch event on Friday, no specific date was announced for the V4's introduction in 2025, and the race riders were reticent about their plans.

Miguel Oliveira, the latest addition to Pramac, stated to Crash.net that his objective is to familiarize himself with the M1 bike and contribute to the ongoing project.

"My attention is fully on this. Considering something that hasn't happened yet wouldn't be wise. I am completely dedicated to this bike."

When questioned about the same topic, 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo indicated that the test riders, rather than himself, would concentrate on this issue. He also cautioned that Honda, with its V4 engine, is facing challenges similar to those of Yamaha.

Quartararo expressed that while many people have high hopes for the V4, he personally does not share these expectations. He highlighted that Honda, despite having a V4, is facing challenges similar to theirs.

"I believe this isn't one of our primary concerns."

"We need to assess the issues first, and then we'll determine if we can progress."

"At the moment, our primary attention is on the four inline slated for 2025."

"We have designated riders specifically for testing the V4. In total, there are three such riders, and I'm confident that they will have the opportunity to test the V4 thoroughly."

"I don't know when, since I didn't bother to inquire."

At its launch event, Yamaha announced that the factory team and Pramac's new bike designs were unveiled. It also stated that its race riders would start their winter training at Sepang starting on Saturday.

As a concession manufacturer, Yamaha has the ability to conduct unrestricted testing with its racing team members.

Additionally, it will not be affected by the engine freeze regulation introduced in MotoGP this year. This allows the possibility of competing with its V4 engine once it is fully developed, potentially as soon as 2025.

Unique statements shared by Crash MotoGP Editor, Peter McLaren

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New information revealed about Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia's Ducati windscreen

Ducati unveils updated feature for the GP25

Details about the Ducati GP25 have just been revealed.

Ducati has announced a new collaboration for the next MotoGP season, with a company that will supply windscreens for the bikes of Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.

WRS, an Italian firm renowned as a global leader in manufacturing motorcycle windshields, has recently become a technical partner with Ducati.

The company promises to address the unique requirements of both cyclists and their bicycles, guaranteeing top-notch performance with regard to aerodynamics, visibility, and durability.

Mauro Grassilli, who serves as the Sporting Director for Ducati Corse, expressed that WRS is a significant entity connected to the region. He highlighted that both organizations share core values, including a strong focus on advanced technology, dedication to research, and a commitment to innovation.

"We are thrilled to start this partnership with a shared objective: to consistently stay competitive and strive for ongoing improvement."

Nicolas Zavoli, the CEO of WRS, expressed excitement and pride about joining the remarkable journey with Ducati Corse.

Collaborating with riders like Bagnaia and Marquez is a significant responsibility for us, yet it also serves as an additional incentive to keep advancing our technology to its fullest potential.

"Each windshield we produce is backed by years of expertise and commitment, and we are confident that our efforts will play a crucial role in addressing the challenges the Team will encounter throughout the season."

This season, Bagnaia and Marquez are anticipated to have the most intense rivalry in MotoGP.

Adjusting to the newest version of the Desmosedici is a familiar process for Bagnaia.

Marquez, having ridden a year-old Ducati for one season following his lengthy stint with Honda, now needs to adjust to the newest model.

Fabio di Giannantonio, who is part of the VR46 team, has become the third racer to compete on a GP25 motorcycle this season.

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Yamaha and Pramac unveil fresh designs for 2025 MotoGP season in Malaysia

Yamaha and Pramac introduce their latest color schemes

The Pramac team has revealed its fresh design for its inaugural MotoGP season with Yamaha in 2025, showcasing significant Alpine logos, whereas the official team colors have stayed mostly the same.

Yamaha is currently undergoing a process of restructuring after experiencing a significant drop from competing for the championship title with Fabio Quartararo in 2022 to failing to secure a podium finish in the previous year.

The Japanese company finished the season in fourth place in the constructors' championship, with Quartararo being their highest-ranked rider, securing 13th position.

Nevertheless, the final phases of the campaign showed encouraging developments. Meanwhile, Yamaha is planning an even greater effort in 2025 under the leadership of technical director Max Bartolini, as the company prepares to introduce its inaugural V4 model sometime during this season.

Before he resigns from his position as team leader, Lin Jarvis successfully signed Quartararo to a fresh two-year contract, brought Alex Rins on board, and ensured Yamaha would have a satellite team for the first time since 2022.

Pramac, the team that clinched the independent teams' championship in 2024 and supported Jorge Martin in securing the riders' championship, decided to switch from Ducati to using factory Yamaha equipment.

The team will introduce a completely fresh roster, featuring Jack Miller, who previously competed with them on a Ducati from 2018 to 2020, and Miguel Oliveira, who is transitioning from Trackhouse Aprilia.

The Pramac team has announced that French automaker Alpine has joined as a primary sponsor, with its branding now prominently displayed on the team's new design.

The Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team showcased the motorcycles for riders Tony Arbolino and Izan Guevara during the event. The team will be led by former MotoGP competitor Alex de Angelis as the team manager.

Yamaha has announced plans to host special events in July to mark its 70th anniversary this year.

The brand was present on Friday at Sepang for the initial testing session, with its competitive riders anticipated to join later in the weekend before the inaugural official test scheduled for February 5-7 in Malaysia.

Only two teams remain that have not yet unveiled their new designs for the upcoming season. The factory Honda team plans to reveal theirs on Saturday, February 1st, in Indonesia.

On February 8th, LCR Honda is set to unveil their team, aligning with the MotoGP season kickoff event scheduled to take place in Bangkok.

The official Honda team is preparing to reveal its new motorcycle design, which will be the first in over three decades to not feature the Repsol branding, following the end of its partnership with the Spanish oil company as its main sponsor.

The Thai Grand Prix will kick off the 2025 season from February 28 to March 2.

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Highlights from the First Day of the 2025 MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Test

Key Photographs from Friday's Events in Sepang

Here is a collection of top images showcasing the motorcycles in action at the 2025 MotoGP Shakedown test in Sepang.

Ducati has successfully kept the details of their GP25 motorcycle under wraps. This bike is anticipated to be the top-performing model on the circuit and will be ridden by Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, and Fabio di Giannantonio.

Michele Pirro, who serves as a test rider,

However, the picture shown above features last year's Ducati from Gresini.

Gresini's newcomer, Fermin Aldeguer, secured the fifth quickest time on Friday.

Lorenzo Savadori takes to the track riding an Aprilia, previously used by Jorge Martin, during the Sepang Shakedown event. For more details, see the tweet by Peter McLaren (@McLarenMotoGP) dated January 31, 2025.

The most impressive photo of the Aprilia from Friday can be found at the beginning of this page.

On Friday, Ai Ogura from Trackhouse impressed observers by posting the second-fastest time. He was among three rookies who were allowed to participate

Aprilia's dependable test rider, Lorenzo Savadori, secured the 10th position.

As of midday on the first day of the 2025 Sepang Shakedown, Dani Pedrosa has set the quickest time for KTM. pic.twitter.com/NEfSmF7Imd— Peter McLaren (@McLarenMotoGP) January 31, 2025

On Friday, KTM had their seasoned test riders, Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa, participating on the track.

Espargaro secured the fastest time, while Pedrosa finished in fourth place.

Yamaha has the opportunity to utilize their two main team riders, two Pramac riders, and their test team on Friday, in accordance with the concession regulations.

However, the only riders participating on the track on Friday were the test pair Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez.

Honda's Takaaki Nakagami achieved the third-fastest time on the leaderboard as he took on his new responsibilities as a test rider for the company.

He collaborates with Aleix Espargaro in conducting tests.

Although there is curiosity about the impact that new technical director Romano Albesiano might have on the troubled project, Friday's session did not reveal any hints.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test Outcomes – Day 1 (Friday)

As of 12pm on the first day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test, here are the lap times.

Live updates on results will be provided every hour

* Yamaha's test bikes do not feature designated riders for timing purposes. However, Andrea Dovizioso was spotted on the track. Additionally, Augusto Fernandez is participating this week.

Please

Sepang MotoGP Official Records

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia clocked a time of 1 minute 56.337 seconds (2024).

Quickest lap time in the race: Alex Marquez clocked 1 minute 58.979 seconds in 2023.

The MotoGP Shakedown test at Sepang in 2025 kicked off at 10 a.m. on Friday in Malaysia. This session featured rookies Ai Ogura from Trackhouse, Fermin Aldeguer representing Gresini, and Somkiat Chantra of LCR. Additionally, factory test riders and competitors from Yamaha and Honda participated.

Restrictions on private tire testing sessions and team unveilings might lead to lower participation of Yamaha and Honda race riders in the Shakedown for 2025.

This weekend, Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez are scheduled to carry out development tasks for Yamaha, leading to rumors about a potential public unveiling of a V4. Meanwhile, new test riders Aleix Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez have been enlisted by HRC.

Preliminary testing sessions are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The Sepang test is scheduled to take place from February 5th to February 7th

I'm

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test – Day 1: Live Coverage

Stay tuned for real-time updates from the first day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test happening this Friday.

The 2025 MotoGP season kicks off in Sepang, Malaysia, with a three-day Shakedown event, leading up to the Official test scheduled for next week.

Newcomers Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer, and Somkiat Chantra, along with Yamaha and Honda's factory test riders and regular race participants, can join the Shakedown thanks to the manufacturer's D concession status.

Nevertheless, restrictions on the quantity of private test tires and team unveilings might also lead to a decrease in attendance at the Shakedown event.

A group of four racers from Yamaha, including Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins from the Monster team, along with Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira from the newly established Pramac team, are scheduled to be introduced at an event in Kuala Lumpur tonight (Friday).

Former MotoGP runner-up Andrea Dovizioso and 2024 competitor Augusto Fernandez are scheduled to test the M1 motorcycle this weekend.

Honda's official team, featuring riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini, is set to unveil their 2025 lineup this Saturday in Indonesia. As a result, new test riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami might be assigned additional responsibilities for the Shakedown tests.

Espargaro recently participated in a private two-day testing session in Buriram, which marked the first appearance of Romano Albesiano, the new technical director, with the Honda team.

The Sepang test, which will include all the race riders for the 2025 season, is set to occur from February 5th to 7

At 11 a.m., marking the end of the first hour, Pol Espargaro remains the fastest, followed by the 'Yamaha Test Rider' Dovi. The lineup continues with Pol Espargaro, Fermin Aldeguer, Michele Pirro, Lorenzo Savadori, and Ai Ogura.

The individual with the second quickest time on the timing screens is identified as a 'Yamaha Test Rider' adorned with the number '04', indicating it is Andrea Dovizioso.

Hello and welcome to the first day of the Sepang Shakedown test!

Following the initial 45 minutes of track activity, Pol Espargaro emerged as the fastest, clocking in a time of 2 minutes and 2.313 seconds.

Thus far, eight competitors have completed a lap, with newcomers Fermin Aldeguer and Ai Ogura among them.

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KTM's new CEO outlines "three key factors keeping the company afloat"

KTM CEO considers victory in the 2025 Dakar Rally as "evidence of vitality"

The newly appointed CEO of KTM, Gottfried Neumeister, emphasizes that motorsport is an essential component of the company's operations and will continue to be, provided financial institutions allow them to sustain their business.

KTM is currently undergoing a reorganization as it attempts to manage a significant financial crisis, with its debts surpassing €2 billion.

The company has been forced to dismiss several hundred employees and will continue its halt in production at least until the middle of March.

In a recent hearing in Austria, it was disclosed that KTM has attracted attention from 23 prospective investors. The company is considering a potential financial boost of €900 million from these interested parties.

This has not been verified at this time, though.

A major question mark hanging over KTM's future is the fate of its MotoGP initiative, as there are "plans" for it to exit the series amid ongoing restructuring efforts.

After the general examination hearing at the Regional Court of Ried Im Innkreis last week, Neumeister, who has taken over from Stefan Pierer as CEO, reportedly told the press, “We have finished the second phase of the 90-day restructuring process.”

"There are three main factors keeping KTM afloat: the relentless dedication of our staff, the steadfast support from our customers, and the courage and expertise of our highly skilled bankruptcy manager."

"I'm really relieved that's how things turned out."

Discussing the brand's future in motorsport, Neumeister mentions that KTM's victory in the 2025 Dakar Rally demonstrates that racing should continue to be an integral aspect of the company's activities.

Securing victory in the premier motorcycle category at the Dakar Rally serves as a vibrant affirmation that KTM is capable of producing some of the finest motorcycles globally.

"If the banks allow us to reach this third phase of the restructuring, we will be able to sustain it moving forward."

Last year, KTM announced that it would continue participating in MotoGP as scheduled in 2025.

Despite reducing its overall factory involvement in global motorsport, the GASGAS and Husqvarna brands are no longer present in grand prix racing.

In 2025, KTM plans to have a factory team of four riders competing in MotoGP. This team will include Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder for the main works team, while Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini will represent the Tech3 squad.

The brand is set to kick off its 2025 season on January 30th.

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Pramac announces collaboration with Alpine for the 2025 MotoGP season. In 2025, the French automobile company will be linked with Pramac.

Pramac has announced that the French automobile company, Alpine, will be a primary sponsor for the MotoGP team in 2025, just before its launch event taking place this week.

In response to media speculation from the end of last year, Pramac has revealed through its social media platforms that it is teaming up with the French automobile manufacturer, which is also active in Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship.

In a short message on social media, Pramac announced: "Combining two realms with a united goal. As we approach the thrilling 2025 season, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP is delighted to reveal a new collaboration with Alpine Cars."

The extent to which Alpine’s sponsorship will feature on the Yamahas that the team is set to manage in 2025, as well as its impact on the livery design, remains uncertain.

Pramac has announced that Prim will continue to be their main sponsor through to the conclusion of 2027.

Luca de Meo leads the Renault Group, which owns the Alpine brand. Prior to this role, de Meo was a director at Fiat during the period when the Italian automaker sponsored the Yamaha factory team in the MotoGP series.

The connection has been established because Pramac team owner Paolo Campinoti maintains a positive rapport with de Meo.

In the past few years, Pramac has displayed the Formula 1 emblem on the back of its motorcycles, thanks to the close relationship with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali.

In the 2025 F1 season, Alpine will be connected to MotoGP through Jack Doohan, the son of Mick Doohan, a five-time 500cc world champion.

If regulators approve the deal after an investigation by the EU, both F1 and MotoGP will be owned by Liberty Media in 2025.

On Friday, January 31, Pramac and the official Yamaha team will kick off their 2025 season in Malaysia.

Pramac, the current champion among teams, also secured the MotoGP riders' championship with Jorge Martin. Martin has since moved from Ducati to become part of Aprilia.

After Martin's departure from Pramac and Ducati's unsuccessful attempt to persuade Marc Marquez to ride a factory bike for them in 2025, the team decided to end their partnership with the Italian brand.

Rather than that, the team has entered into a long-term agreement to serve as Yamaha's satellite collaborator and will feature Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira in their lineup for this year.

Since RNF Racing parted ways with Yamaha to collaborate with Aprilia in the 2023 season, Yamaha has been without a satellite team.

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Toto Wolff: Lewis Hamilton discreetly rode a Superbike, went off the radar for 48 hours

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton was out of touch for two days after trying out a motorcycle.

Lewis Hamilton participated in a Superbike test on the down-low, and during the session, he had an accident, as Toto Wolff remembered.

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton, who has won the Formula 1 championship seven times, caused concern for his F1 team leader by not communicating for two days. This happened when he joined the Crescent Racing team at the Jerez track.

His passion for motorcycle racing is widely recognized. In addition to having his own custom MV Agusta model, Hamilton participated in a ride exchange with MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi in 2019. Over the past year, there have been reports of him being involved in financial investments in two MotoGP teams.

Six years back, following his victory of a fifth Formula 1 championship, Hamilton engaged in a two-day testing session at Jerez. This event involved riding a YZF-R1 Superbike and was supervised by the Crescent Racing team from the World Superbike Championship.

Amazing few days spent in Jerez 🏍💨🔥 featuring @alexlowes22, @mickeyvdmark, @PataYamahaWSBK, and @MonsterEnergy. pic.twitter.com/1uIwgmKx7r — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 2, 2018

At the time, Michael van der Mark, who was racing for Yamaha in the World Superbike Championship, informed motorsport.com that Hamilton needed to be reminded to reduce his speed since "he showed no fear whatsoever."

Wolff disclosed that he was unable to contact Hamilton for two days after the driver had secretly participated in the test, and he was unaware that Hamilton had been involved in an accident.

When questioned about his presence at the 2019 ride swap event in Valencia featuring Rossi and Hamilton, Wolff mentioned on the Armchair Expert podcast that he wasn't there, but he did have to authorize it. He granted the permission and believes that both participants had a great time.

Lewis is that bothersome student who completes all tasks correctly and quickly.

Let me share a tale about biking with you. Without my knowledge, they conducted some tests in Jerez. One of the engineers, who is passionate about motorcycles and part of my strategy team, was involved. For two days, I was unable to reach him.

Lewis's engineer answered the call and reassured everyone by saying, "Everything is okay, there's no need to worry. We just completed our biking session, and despite any rumors, he's doing well."

"I asked, 'What occurred?' He took a fall. However, he was just four seconds slower than the MotoGP professionals."

"Incredible. His awareness of his body is what makes him a winner."

Hamilton emerged without injuries following his accident.

Wolff's statement is difficult to confirm since no official times were made public. It should be approached with skepticism, as van der Mark mentioned then: "I am aware he could go much faster, but forecasting his performance on a bike is challenging."

"He has been riding for just four days, and his time was around seven seconds slower than ours, the Yamaha WSBK team. Despite this, he's already quicker than the majority of riders who participate in track days."

Back in 2018, Hamilton teamed up with three-time MotoGP race victor Cal Crutchlow to ride a Superbike at a Monster Energy event in California.

In the past few weeks, KTM's head of motorsport, Pit Beirer, disclosed during a conversation with Speedweek that the Austrian company, facing challenges, had engaged in "serious" talks with Hamilton's management team regarding a possible investment.

Hamilton will join Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

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Sylvain Guintoli shares an emotional update regarding his son's courageous fight with health issues.

Sylvain Guintoli discusses the recent progress in his son's medical care.

Sylvain Guintoli has shared updates on his son's courageous fight against cancer.

In the previous year, Guintoli revealed that his little boy, Luca, had been found to have cancer.

He has recently given information about the progress of his son's medical care.

Check out this Instagram post from Sylvain Guintoli. It was posted by Sylvain Guintoli.

"Silvain Guintoli announced that their young Luca has completed the first week of radiotherapy treatment."

"He has faced significant challenges, undergoing general anesthesia daily for his treatments and receiving a blood transfusion late on Thursday night, yet he has completed all the sessions and shown remarkable courage."

"A huge thank you goes out to the Pediatric Oncology Teams in Leicester and Nottingham."

"Sending lots of love from Mom, Dad, and the entire family. Reminder: I need to donate blood again after returning from the upcoming Test."

"If you are considering doing that, visit the website www.blood.co.uk."

Last year, the motorcycle racing community rallied around Guintoli after he revealed his son's struggle.

He paused his role as a broadcaster for TNT Sports' MotoGP coverage last year following Luca's diagnosis.

Guintoli has resumed his television position and is anticipated to carry on with it throughout this year.

The champion of the 2014 World Superbike season and the 2021 FIM Endurance World Championship winner has announced plans for his own testing schedule in 2025.

He is set to be among the four test riders for BMW, concentrating on the FIM Endurance World Championship.

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