Famed soccer coach seeks insight from Max Verstappen

“I'm curious about how Max Verstappen maintains his concentration while racing so fast. I'm eager to understand this. If I can get that knowledge, I'll attempt to apply it to soccer.”

Renowned soccer coach Jurgen Klopp is keen on gaining insights from F1 champion Max Verstappen following the commencement of his latest position at Red Bull.

Klopp has taken on the role of head of global football for Red Bull, stepping away from managerial duties after his fruitful period at Liverpool.

This weekend, the 57-year-old was introduced in his new position and expressed his interest in having a conversation with Red Bull's leading driver.

Verstappen has clinched the drivers' championship title in Formula 1 for the fourth consecutive time, solidifying his position as one of the sport's all-time greats.

Regarding Verstappen, Klopp remarked, "There's so much to discuss!"

Klopp shared with the official Red Bull website, highlighting not only his concentration but also various other aspects.

"It's absolutely astonishing. I'm eager to hang out with him to grasp how he manages to maintain peak mental performance while facing the danger of speeding at 300 miles per hour in a car. Truly fascinating."

In a subsequent press briefing, Klopp expressed his curiosity, stating, “I’m amazed at how Max Verstappen maintains his concentration at such high speeds. I wish I could understand his secret. If I could get that information, I’d attempt to apply it to football.”

Verstappen applauds Klopp's recruitment

Verstappen has commended Red Bull for acquiring Klopp's services.

In a conversation with Sky Sports the previous year, Verstappen revealed, "I was aware for quite a while that discussions were ongoing and an agreement was nearly finalized.

Red Bull has also made significant investments in soccer, owning several teams and fostering an impressive pool of emerging talent.

"Having Jurgen at the helm is a huge asset due to his extensive experience and history of managing several prestigious clubs. It’s a significant advantage for the entire organization."

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Sauber's incoming Formula 1 leader to commence sooner following Red Bull's approval

Jonathan Wheatley has been granted an early departure from Red Bull to start his new role at Sauber, according to information obtained by Crash.net.

Jonathan Wheatley is set to assume his role as team principal for the Sauber F1 team ahead of schedule, following Red Bull's consent to an early departure.

Crash.net has discovered that the ex-sporting director of Red Bull is set to become part of Sauber from the 1st of April, a significant advance on the initially planned timeline.

In August of the previous year, it was revealed that Wheatley would depart from his position to take on the role of team principal for the upcoming Audi F1 team.

Initially, Red Bull announced that Wheatley would be on gardening leave, whereas Audi stated he would come on board no later than July 2025.

The decision for the 57-year-old British individual to join the Switzerland-based Sauber team has been expedited following Red Bull's agreement to an early termination of his contract.

Wheatley is set to be Sauber's inaugural team principal following Fred Vasseur's departure to Ferrari in 2023.

For the previous two years, Alessandro Alunni Bravi held the position of team representative, but Sauber has declared that the Italian will depart from the organization at January's close.

Wheatley is set to concentrate on enhancing the F1 factory team's competitive edge, managing operations during race events, and acting as Audi's representative at the team principal level for all things concerning F1.

He, alongside ex-Ferrari team leader and Audi's Chief Operating and Technical Officer Mattia Binotto, will collaboratively oversee the racing team's achievements.

Should everything proceed as scheduled, Wheatley is expected to step into his role starting with the third round of the 2025 season during the Japanese Grand Prix.

McLaren's pursuit of a new sporting director is on hold

Red Bull has shown reluctance to cooperate with McLaren, who became their most significant competitor in the 2024 season.

In September, McLaren revealed that Will Courtenay, who previously led race strategy at Red Bull, would be coming on board as their new sporting director.

At the time, Red Bull chose not to make any public statements regarding the situation. However, a team insider reportedly spoke to BBC Sport, stating, "Having been a part of the team since the Jaguar era and contributing significantly over the years, it's tough to see Will leave. Nonetheless, we wish him the utmost success in his new endeavor."

"Will remains a member of the squad, fulfilling his contractual obligations until the middle of 2026."

A recent publication from The Race suggests that McLaren's aspirations to acquire Courtenay soon "have dimmed."

Courtenay will remain in his role at the Red Bull pitwall for the entire 2025 season.

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A renowned Mercedes F1 vehicle from the 1950s might fetch more than £40 million at auction next month.

A legendary Mercedes Formula 1 vehicle is expected to fetch a global record-breaking price surpassing £41 million.

Auction house RM Sotheby’s will be handling the sale of the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Stromlinienwagen, famously piloted by F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio.

RM Sotheby is opening the bidding at £41 million (equivalent to 50 million euros), potentially setting a new record for the sale of an F1 car.

The existing highest amount stands at £19.6 million, a record set by another Mercedes W196R.

This is a Formula 1 car that clinched victory with Fangio at the helm during the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix.

Later in that season, Sir Stirling Moss raced the same car at Monza, securing the fastest lap.

In 1955, Fangio clinched his second world championship, with Moss coming in second place in the rankings.

In 1965, Mercedes gifted the vehicle to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, where it has been on display for nearly six decades.

The auction is set for February 1, and it's anticipated to fetch a historically high price.

Leading the pack in terms of price, the 1954 Mercedes W196R holds the record with a sale price of $19.6 million in 2013.

The Silver Arrow went under the hammer at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Bonhams conducted the auction.

Securing the runner-up position is the Mercedes that Lewis Hamilton drove to his inaugural victory in 2013.

This garnered £15.1 million in 2023.

Rounding out the trio is the 2003 Ferrari driven by Michael Schumacher.

In 2022, it fetched £10.7 million at a Swiss auction.

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Rob Smedley advises F1 race engineers to be more assertive

Former F1 icon Rob Smedley shares guidance with today's race engineers.

Rob Smedley is of the opinion that F1 race engineers are overly cautious and invest too much effort in maintaining their drivers' satisfaction.

Smedley gained fame as the race engineer for Felipe Massa during their tenure at Ferrari. Their communication over the radio became legendary, marked by Smedley's straightforward and humorous approach, easily identifiable by his pronounced Teesside accent.

During the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix, the 51-year-old famously advised Massa with the words: “Felipe, baby, stay cool”.

During the 2010 German Grand Prix, Smedley relayed a cryptic directive from Ferrari to Massa, informing the Brazilian driver, "Fernando [Alonso, his teammate] is quicker than you. Do you acknowledge receiving this message?"

Smedley believes that race engineers are now overly cautious in how they communicate with their drivers.

"Smedley expressed on The Red Flags podcast that, in his view, there's too much caution being exercised in Formula 1 today."

"The manner in which the radio communications are conveyed to the driver catches my attention. Although I don't tune into every race, the ones I do catch, I find myself thinking, seriously, just be direct and say what needs to be said, you know?"

"Let a narcissistic sociopath get a little leverage, and they'll exploit it fully, so it's best not to offer them that leverage in the first place. Avoid showing any signs of self-doubt or insecurity. Don’t approach the situation as if you're hoping they might follow your advice… No, friend, this is a professional environment. When I instruct you, I expect it to be carried out."

Whenever my superior gives me an instruction, I follow through. This is simply how things operate. Provided we're not being directed by individuals with narcissistic or sociopathic tendencies towards harmful actions, failing to comply in a demanding setting like ours would lead to chaos. Everything would spiral out of control.

"Let's establish the basic guidelines for our interactions. These are the principles governing our communication with one another."

"There's plenty of these situations, such as: do I need to make a choice? Should I request one driver to change lanes or ask another to relocate? Will it upset him?"

"Listen, the reality is, by the race's conclusion, only one driver will be satisfied, correct? It's impossible to satisfy everyone constantly. So, frankly, toughen up and go ahead with the decisions you have to make.

"I believe this applies to both Formula 1 and everyday life. It feels like you're constantly treading carefully, afraid to make any choices, which ultimately leads you to the most unfavorable situation."

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Carlos Sainz Begins 2025 by Visiting Williams F1 Factory for the First Time

Carlos Sainz makes his inaugural visit to the factory…

Carlos Sainz initiated the 2025 season by making his inaugural trip to the Williams F1 facility, gearing up for the upcoming races.

Sainz will switch teams, leaving Ferrari for Williams in the next season, following Ferrari's decision to bring in Lewis Hamilton.

The Spanish driver moves to the UK squad following his most successful Formula 1 season yet.

Sainz secured a pair of wins while Ferrari just fell short of clinching the F1 constructors' championship, ending up 13 points adrift of McLaren.

Beginning his collaboration with his new colleagues, Sainz made an appearance at the Grove factory.

On Wednesday, he shared a photo standing outside the team's headquarters, captioning it: "First day at Grove!"

In a comment on his Instagram post, team member Alex Albon welcomed Carlos, saying, "Welcome to Grove, Carlos! Our coffee is exceptionally smooth."

Sainz is quickly establishing his presence within his new team through his detailed input.

Williams emphasized this point in a new video shared on their social media platforms.

Sainz offered comprehensive insights from his first experience with the 2024 Williams car at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Could Williams Face Another Difficult Year?

With their attention turning to the upcoming regulations set for the next 12 months, 2025 may present more hurdles for Williams.

In the 2024 F1 constructors' championship, Williams descended to the ninth position, with only Sauber trailing behind.

James Vowles, the team principal at Williams, has emphasized that his team is completely dedicated to their long-term goals, indicating he's willing to forgo immediate success in 2024 and 2025.

Sainz's debut season with Williams might end up being memorable for the wrong reasons.

Nonetheless, Sainz is eager to contribute his expertise to Williams in their quest to climb up the rankings and once more compete for top positions.

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Carlos Sainz cautions Lewis Hamilton that not everything is ideal at Ferrari

Ahead of his inaugural season with Ferrari in F1, Carlos Sainz has a cautionary message for Lewis Hamilton.

Carlos Sainz has cautioned Lewis Hamilton that joining Ferrari won't be entirely smooth and flawless as he prepares for his first Formula 1 season with the team.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton has made a sensational move from Mercedes to team up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari for the next season, marking one of the most highly anticipated and significant driver shifts in F1 history.

Sainz, now with Williams following Hamilton's entry, maintains that despite being every F1 racer's aspiration, the experience at Ferrari can be "challenging."

"In a future episode, we could potentially dedicate time to discuss the unique challenges that come with driving for Ferrari, but I'd prefer not to make this conversation about that," Sainz shared with the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast as he talked about his exit.

"Admittedly, the role of a Ferrari driver comes with its challenges. It's not always a bed of roses; some aspects can be quite difficult to navigate."

However, Sainz mentioned that Hamilton should anticipate a truly extraordinary experience once he becomes part of F1's most renowned team.

"Nonetheless, my attention will be on the brighter side, considering each Grand Prix feels like it’s a home event. It’s truly a unique experience,” the Spanish racer mentioned.

"Attempting to articulate this is a challenge for me, and despite my efforts, I might not fully succeed. Expressing myself and my emotions has always been a struggle, yet I assure you, this experience is unlike anything I've encountered before, and I've cherished every moment of it.

"It's truly unique to understand that every person in the stands essentially roots for Ferrari and hopes for their success."

Hamilton's initial steps towards joining Ferrari are revealed

Next week, Hamilton will make his way to Ferrari's F1 base in Maranello to start integrating into the team.

The British racer, aged 40, is scheduled for his initial simulator training on Monday, January 20th. Later in the same week, he will make his first appearance on the track for the team, driving a Formula 1 car that's no newer than two years old, at their Fiorano testing circuit.

Ferrari is gearing up for a comprehensive testing schedule aimed at accelerating Hamilton's adaptation to the team before the upcoming season begins. To achieve this, they will utilize a significant portion of their allotted Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) hours.

Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for a minimum of four days towards the month's end to give Hamilton extra time with their previous F1 models.

Hamilton is set to debut as a Ferrari driver with his new teammate Leclerc during F1's unique season-opening event at the O2 Arena in London on February 18.

On the subsequent day, Ferrari is set to unveil their 2025 contender in Maranello.

Ferrari plans to utilize one of their allowed 'filming days' for a preliminary test run of their latest Formula 1 vehicle at Fiorano following its unveiling on February 19. This occasion will mark the initial drive of the 2025 model by Hamilton and Leclerc.

Hamilton and Leclerc are scheduled to represent Ferrari during the pre-season trials in Bahrain, taking place from February 26 to 28, ahead of the 2025 season's start. This leads up to the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, which will be Hamilton's first race with Ferrari.

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Carlos Sainz begins the year 2025 by visiting the Williams F1 facility for the first time.

This marks Carlos Sainz's inaugural trip to the Williams factory…

Carlos Sainz made his initial trip to the Williams F1 factory at the start of 2025 as preparations for the upcoming season begin.

Carlos Sainz is set to join Williams for the next season, following Ferrari's decision to bring Lewis Hamilton on board.

The Spanish driver becomes a member of the British racing team following his most successful Formula 1 season yet.

Carlos Sainz secured two wins, but Ferrari fell just short of claiming the Formula 1 constructors' championship, ending the season 13 points behind McLaren.

Upon beginning his duties with the new team, Sainz made an appearance at the Grove factory.

On Wednesday, he shared a photo taken in front of the team's headquarters, accompanied by the caption: "First day at Grove!"

In an Instagram comment, fellow team member Alex Albon said, "Glad to have you at Grove, Carlos! Our coffee here is especially smooth."

Carlos Sainz is already leaving an impression on his new team by providing detailed feedback.

In a recent video shared on their social media platforms, Williams emphasized this point.

Sainz was giving in-depth observations after his first experience with the 2024 Williams car at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Is Williams Facing Another Difficult Year?

The year 2025 might present more hurdles for Williams, as they begin concentrating on the upcoming regulations set to take effect in a year.

In the 2024 F1 constructors' championship, Williams ended up in the ninth position, managing to place just above Sauber.

James Vowles, the head of Williams, has emphasized that his team is concentrating entirely on what lies ahead, even if it means potentially giving up their efforts in 2024 and 2025.

This suggests that Sainz's debut season with Williams might not be memorable.

Nonetheless, Sainz is eager to offer his expertise to Williams as the team works towards climbing the rankings and eventually competing for top-three finishes once more.

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Carlos Sainz cautions Lewis Hamilton that joining Ferrari comes with its challenges.

Carlos Sainz has issued a word of warning to Lewis Hamilton as he prepares for his first season with the Ferrari F1 team.

Carlos Sainz has cautioned Lewis Hamilton that he should not anticipate an entirely smooth and trouble-free experience at Ferrari as he prepares for his first Formula 1 season with the team.

Lewis Hamilton, who has won the world championship seven times, has made a sensational move from Mercedes to Ferrari. He will team up with Charles Leclerc for the next season, marking one of the most talked-about and significant driver changes in the history of Formula 1.

Carlos Sainz, now with Williams following his departure to accommodate Lewis Hamilton's entry, emphasizes that while every Formula 1 driver dreams of being with Ferrari, the experience can be challenging.

During an appearance on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, Sainz, who will soon be leaving, mentioned that they could have another podcast session in the future where he could elaborate on the challenges of being a Ferrari driver. However, he expressed that he preferred not to focus on that topic in the current interview.

"Being a Ferrari driver can be challenging at times, and I won't pretend that it's all smooth sailing and flawless."

Sainz mentioned that Hamilton should anticipate having "an exceptionally unique experience" upon becoming a member of F1's most renowned team.

"The Spaniard expressed that he prefers to concentrate on the positives, noting that each Grand Prix feels like a home race, which makes for a truly unique experience."

Even if I were to try to describe it to you right now, I doubt I could put it into words. I'm not very skilled at expressing myself or my emotions, but I can say that it's unlike anything I've ever experienced before, and I've cherished every moment of it.

"It's quite unique to realize that the entire crowd in the grandstand is essentially cheering for Ferrari and hoping for their success."

Hamilton's initial steps with Ferrari revealed

Next week, Hamilton is scheduled to travel to Ferrari's F1 base in Maranello to start integrating with the team.

A 40-year-old British individual is scheduled to have his initial simulator session on Monday, January 20. Later in the same week, he will make his first appearance on the track for the team, driving a Formula 1 car that is at least two years old, at their Fiorano testing facility.

Ferrari has scheduled a comprehensive testing program to assist Hamilton in quickly acclimating before the upcoming season. They intend to utilize a significant portion of their allotted Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) time for this purpose.

Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for a minimum of four days at the month's end to give Hamilton more time to practice with their previous F1 cars.

Hamilton is set to debut in public as a Ferrari driver with his new teammate Leclerc during Formula 1's exclusive season kickoff event at London’s O2 Arena on February 18.

The day after tomorrow, Ferrari is set to unveil their 2025 vehicle at an event in Maranello.

Ferrari plans to utilize one of their allowed 'filming days' to test their new Formula 1 vehicle at Fiorano following its unveiling on February 19. This event will mark the debut drive of the 2025 car for Hamilton and Leclerc.

Hamilton and Leclerc are set to participate in Ferrari's official pre-season testing in Bahrain, scheduled from February 26 to 28. The 2025 season will then begin with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, which will be Hamilton's first race with Ferrari.

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Carlos Sainz cautions Lewis Hamilton that life at Ferrari isn't always easy and flawless.

Sainz has issued a word of advice to Hamilton as he prepares to begin his first season with the Ferrari F1 team.

Carlos Sainz has cautioned Lewis Hamilton that he shouldn't anticipate an entirely smooth and flawless experience at Ferrari as he prepares for his first Formula 1 season with the Italian team.

Lewis Hamilton, who has won the world championship seven times, has made a sensational move from Mercedes to Ferrari. This highly anticipated transfer sees him teaming up with Charles Leclerc for the next season and is considered one of the most significant driver changes in the history of Formula 1.

Carlos Sainz, now a member of the Williams team following his departure to accommodate Lewis Hamilton's entry to Ferrari, emphasizes that although driving for Ferrari is a goal for many in Formula 1, the experience can be quite challenging.

During his appearance on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, Sainz, who is set to leave, mentioned that while they could have a separate podcast episode where he might share the challenges of being a Ferrari driver, he preferred not to delve into that topic during this particular interview.

"Being a Ferrari driver has its challenges, and I'm not going to pretend that everything is always smooth and ideal."

However, Sainz mentioned that Hamilton should anticipate having "a truly unique experience" when he becomes part of the most renowned team in F1.

The Spanish driver emphasized the positives, noting that each Grand Prix feels like a home race, making it an incredibly unique experience.

"Even if I were to sit down and attempt to describe it to you, I'm not sure I could. I'm not particularly skilled at expressing myself or conveying my emotions, but what I can say is that it's unlike anything I've experienced before, and I've cherished every moment."

"It's quite unique to realize that nearly everyone in the stands supports Ferrari and hopes for the team's success."

Hamilton's initial interactions with Ferrari come to light

Hamilton is scheduled to travel to Ferrari's Formula 1 base in Maranello next week, marking the start of his integration with the team.

A 40-year-old from Britain is scheduled to have his initial simulator experience on Monday, January 20. Later in the week, he will drive an F1 car, which is at least two years old, for the first time at the team's Fiorano test track.

Ferrari is organizing a comprehensive testing schedule to ensure Hamilton quickly acclimates before the upcoming season. They intend to utilize a significant portion of their allowed Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) time for this purpose.

Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for a minimum of four days at the month's end, allowing Hamilton extra practice time with their previous F1 cars.

Hamilton is set to debut as a Ferrari driver in a public event where he will join his new teammate, Leclerc, at Formula 1's special season launch, taking place at London's O2 Arena on February 18.

The day after, Ferrari is set to unveil their 2025 race car in Maranello.

Ferrari is anticipated to utilize one of their allowed 'filming days' to carry out a preliminary test of their new Formula 1 car at Fiorano following its unveiling on February 19. This event will mark the debut drive of the 2025 car for Hamilton and Leclerc.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are set to represent Ferrari during the pre-season testing sessions in Bahrain, scheduled from February 26 to 28. The 2025 season will officially begin with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, where Hamilton will make his racing debut for Ferrari.

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Trackhouse MotoGP Team's Strategy to Change 2025 Livery

Team Principal Davide Brivio Discusses Why the Initial Livery Will Not Be the Last Version

Davide Brivio, the head of the Trackhouse MotoGP team, mentioned that the 2025 livery unveiled on Tuesday features a "corporate" theme. This is due to the fact that talks with possible sponsors are still underway.

On Tuesday, the team managed by the United States unveiled its plans for the 2025 MotoGP season at its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, showcasing a brand-new design compared to the one they used in the previous year.

However, the noticeable lack of significant sponsors, aside from a Gulf logo on the front wheel cover, led to inquiries about the "corporate colors" that Trackhouse eventually introduced.

In the team's promotional content, Brivio hinted that the livery might be altered at some point during the 2025 season.

Explore further: Why performance ranks as "the second priority" for a Trackhouse MotoGP rider

In a press briefing on Wednesday, which included Crash.net, Brivio provided further explanation of his earlier statement and disclosed that the team plans to implement a new design for winter testing.

"Initially, you can expect to see a different livery design for the winter test," he stated when Crash.net inquired about the team's livery strategy for 2025.

"Yesterday, we unveiled a livery that reflects the corporate colors of Trackhouse. This design was featured on both the bike and the [NASCAR team] car, showcasing a consistent look."

"Here are the colors we have chosen. We've designed a special livery for the winter testing phase. Additionally, we're currently in talks with potential future partners."

“If everything proceeds positively, we could bring in some new partners. As a result, we would need to reassess our branding once more.”

"Take last year as an example; we altered the design of the vehicle mid-season."

"We haven't set a strategy for 2025 yet, but we're aiming to be innovative, and I anticipate you will notice a variety of liveries throughout the year."

Trackhouse kicked off the 2024 season featuring a bike with a US flag as part of its design. However, starting with the Austrian Grand Prix, they switched to a new look featuring blue and silver colors.

Brivio pointed out that the team faced challenges in obtaining significant sponsorships because the typical schedule for teams to finalize sponsor agreements for the next season is just six months into their initial season. This situation has left them "behind schedule."

He mentioned that Trackhouse's in-house commercial team is assisting with MotoGP responsibilities in addition to its NASCAR tasks, as the team explores possible collaborations within the U.S. racing series.

Brivio mentioned that securing sponsorship in MotoGP is challenging.

"If you notice, there are several major brands in MotoGP. At Trackhouse, we are newcomers to this field."

"Last year, we initiated the development of a commercial department. Currently, the commercial team that typically handles NASCAR is now also focusing on MotoGP."

"We are exploring whether any NASCAR brands have an interest in expanding internationally, and MotoGP could serve as an effective platform for this purpose."

"However, our progress is gradual. This year has been educational for us, both in terms of understanding and business aspects."

"NASCAR and MotoGP operate in distinct environments. Therefore, we had to explore and comprehend the opportunities available within MotoGP."

"We're currently experiencing a slight delay. Typically, when involved in MotoGP events, sponsorship deals are usually finalized by August or September of the preceding year."

"You get everything ready. For us, August and September were just six months after we began."

"We have initiated talks, engaged in some conversations, and identified a few opportunities."

"You can never be sure until a contract is signed. Although it's challenging, we are engaged in some ongoing discussions."

"In essence, we couldn't finalize any deals in September, October, or November."

"We have unveiled our company's new design and are prepared to update it at any point during this season."

"The team in charge of our commercial operations had several months to make progress, and currently, there is an ongoing project."

Brivio stated that the MotoGP team functions as part of the Trackhouse Entertainment Group and is currently "sustainable." However, the aim is for the project to eventually achieve financial independence.

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Brivio is eager to witness the 2025 Aprilia and believes there are strong components at Trackhouse. "We're really looking forward to the 2025 model. It seems to hold a lot of potential."

Davide Brivio, the team principal of Trackhouse, is confident that the American team possesses the right components for their second season in MotoGP.

Brivio, known for managing MotoGP championships with Yamaha's Valentino Rossi and Suzuki's Joan Mir, transitioned to Formula One. However, the recently established Trackhouse project lured him back to the world of motorcycle racing last year.

The season was tough for Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, who ended up in 15th and 16th place in the world championship standings. Meanwhile, Trackhouse finished just ahead of Honda in the team rankings.

However, Brivio believes that the team will be on much more solid ground by 2025. At that time, Fernandez and his new teammate Ai Ogura will begin the season with the newest factory-spec equipment.

"The initial year served as a period of learning, both for Trackhouse as a company and for us," Brivio remarked.

As we look ahead to the 2025 season, there are many fresh developments, beginning with Aprilia. We're eager to see the new 2025 bike, which seems to hold a lot of potential.

The recently appointed technical director at Aprilia, Fabiano Sterlacchini, is bringing fresh enthusiasm and a new perspective to the table. We are eager to discover the potential of the 2025 bike under his guidance.

A secondary advantage comes from Aprilia bringing on board the newly crowned world champion, Jorge Martin.

Naturally, working alongside the factory team that includes the current MotoGP world champion is quite motivating. It serves as a valuable standard for us to gauge our progress and assess the bike's performance.

"An Energized Raul Fernandez"

In 2024, Trackhouse experienced significant moments, such as Fernandez taking the lead momentarily in Catalunya and achieving two front row starts in Sachsenring, where Oliveira secured second place in the Sprint.

Trackhouse achieved its top performance in a grand prix with Fernandez securing fifth place. Fernandez received an upgrade from the 2023 to the 2024 RS-GP model over the summer break, which helped him succeed in the rainy race at Buriram.

Brivio emphasized that they renewed Fernandez's contract due to his exceptional talent. He expressed confidence in Fernandez's abilities and acknowledged that the current task is to harness and make the most of his potential.

Raul is likely having a different winter experience than in previous years. He is altering his training methods and used this winter as an opportunity to reflect on areas that could be enhanced.

"What errors occurred last year? How can we improve? What strategies were effective? We're having conversations and discussions, and I am optimistic that we'll see a rejuvenated Raul Fernandez in MotoGP."

Talented Athlete Ai Ogura

Joining Fernandez is the 23-year-old Japanese racer Ai Ogura, who justified the confidence of Brivio and Trackhouse by clinching the Moto2 championship last year.

Brivio stated, "We decided to choose a rookie rider, and I believe Ai Ogura is exceptionally talented. He proved this last year by securing the Moto2 championship."

"We're thrilled to have him on board. His attitude is fantastic. He's deeply dedicated to racing and approaches it with great seriousness. I'm really looking forward to beginning this journey with him."

"We have two promising, skilled riders, and we're optimistic about having an improved bike with the 2025 Aprilia."

"I'll let you know after a few more races, but it seems like we have some promising elements to work with. We plan to focus on that…"

As a newcomer, Ogura will have the opportunity to participate in the Sepang Shakedown test, commencing later this month.

Fernandez, along with all the competitors for the 2025 season, will participate in the official test session at the Malaysian circuit afterward.

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For two decades, Peter has been a presence in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is a key figure in covering the news about Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Rob Smedley urges hesitant F1 race engineers to be bolder.

The renowned F1 figure, Rob Smedley, offers guidance to today's race engineers.

Rob Smedley thinks that Formula 1 race engineers devote excessive effort to delicately managing situations in order to maintain their drivers' satisfaction.

Rob Smedley gained fame as the race engineer for Felipe Massa during their time at Ferrari. The duo was known for their memorable radio conversations, where Smedley often communicated in a direct and humorous manner, his distinct Teesside accent making these exchanges even more notable.

During the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix, the 51-year-old famously advised Massa by saying, "Felipe, baby, stay calm."

During the 2010 German Grand Prix, Smedley conveyed Ferrari's well-known indirect team orders to Massa, the Brazilian driver. He said, "Fernando [Alonso, your teammate] is quicker than you. Do you confirm receiving that message?"

Smedley believes that race engineers have grown overly cautious in their communication with drivers.

During an appearance on The Red Flags podcast, Smedley commented that, overall, he feels there is too much cautious behavior in Formula 1 today.

"The way the radio communications are handled with the driver – I may not catch every race, but when I do watch, I often think, just have the courage to say what needs to be said. Be direct with him."

"Allow a narcissistic sociopath even a small opportunity, and they'll exploit it to the fullest. So, it's best not to give them that chance at all. Don’t let them think I have any kind of inferiority complex that makes me feel the need to share something with you in hopes that you might act on it. We're in a professional setting, okay? I'll give you instructions, and you'll follow them."

"When my employer gives me instructions, I follow them. That’s just how things operate. If we neglect to do this, assuming our superiors aren't self-centered or unethical and aren't instructing us to do harmful things, in a high-stress setting like this, everything will unravel. It will throw everything off balance."

"Let's establish some basic guidelines for how we interact and communicate with one another."

The text discusses considerations such as: Should I choose to act? Should I request one driver to switch positions or ask another to assist in moving him? Might this hurt his emotions?

"At the conclusion of a race, there's typically just one driver who feels satisfied. It's impossible to keep everyone content constantly. So, muster some courage and proceed with making the necessary decisions."

"In both Formula 1 and life, it's similar. It's as if you're treading carefully, afraid to make any choices, which ultimately leads you to the least favorable outcome."

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Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He often provides on-site reports, sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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