Which events stood out for the top contenders of the 2024 MotoGP championship?

In the newest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the crew discusses the season's final showdown.

The championship title for the 2024 MotoGP World Championship is set to be determined this weekend during the Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona, with Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia vying for the top spot.

Following 19 races in the 2024 season, Martin is at the forefront, holding a 24-point advantage with 37 points still up for grabs in the upcoming final race in Barcelona, which was rearranged after the original Valencia event was called off because of severe floods in the area.

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In 2024, Bagnaia secured victories in 10 grand prix events, surpassing Martin's tally of three wins. However, Martin's unwavering consistency, combined with eight races where the current champion did not finish, has led to the highly anticipated final showdown we are witnessing.

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the crew delves into what they believe are the standout races of the season for both Martin and Bagnaia.

"From my perspective, the most impressive victory of Bagnaia… I'm torn between two," starts Jordan Moreland, the Social Media Manager and podcast host for Crash.

In Buriram, despite the immense pressure he faced, he succeeded. I also reflect on the beginning of the year and the competition against Marc Marquez in Jerez.

"It seemed like a subtle hint that some might have believed Bagnaia would be easily overpowered by Marquez. Yet, he demonstrated his readiness to fiercely compete against him. The events in Portimao highlighted an impressive showdown between the two racers."

"In summary, my prediction leans towards Jerez as the favorable circuit for Bagnaia. As for Jorge Martin, despite securing only three grand prix victories, he has notably triumphed in numerous sprint races, with another two to his name."

His remarkable victory in the sprint at Misano, his initial triumph, was marked by an incredible beginning, from which he took the lead and maintained control throughout.

"This served as a remarkable indicator that he has outpaced Bagnaia in the latter half of the year, clearly demonstrating that fact to me."

"Additionally, the race in Le Mans stood out significantly for him, especially due to the emotional victory he secured by staying ahead of Bagnaia and Marquez. This event was highlighted as one of the most remarkable races of the season."

Crash Senior Journalist Lewis Duncan comments: "I expect some to claim I'm showing recency bias, a phrase I genuinely dislike, as our judgments are naturally influenced by the most recent events.

"In my opinion, and for Martin as well, the victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix stands out. He experienced a fall during the sprint race which left him puzzled, especially since it happened at the same circuit where his title contention fell apart a year prior."

"He personally expressed his deep concerns, mentioning numerous fears, the unease of experiencing another crash, and how he managed to overcome those issues."

"Pecco was facing difficulties, and he seized the opportunity following that challenging sprint scenario. Should he secure the championship, that will be seen as a pivotal instance demonstrating clear evidence of his mental toughness."

"For Pecco, Sepang stands out, particularly the intense challenge he faced pushing forward after being knocked out of the sprint.

"Until that moment, I believe we hadn't really observed Pecco being pushed into a corner in the last three seasons, but he responded with vigor."

"He matched the intensity thrown at him before swiftly vanishing into the horizon."

According to Crash MotoGP Editor Peter McLaren, he believes that for Pecco, the Malaysian Grand Prix embodies the intensity of competition seen in Jerez along with the high stakes found in Buriram, emphasizing the necessity of victory.

"Just a day earlier, Marc Marquez had mentioned that 'Pecco needs to secure a victory tomorrow,' and then, in the wet conditions of the Buriram race, he actually achieved it."

"In Malaysia, it was a blend of both scenarios where the initial struggle was fierce, and victory was essential; he managed to achieve his goal successfully."

"Martin, although he hasn't secured numerous Grand Prix victories, Indonesia stands out to me due to the reaction it elicited."

"It was the unforeseen error that we quickly addressed, preventing it from expanding from a minor flaw into a vast abyss of lost opportunities, similar to the situation that began to unfold in Indonesia the year before."

"Therefore, it was crucial for him to firmly establish his dominance in that competition."

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Incredible recent video shows Valentino Rossi revealing the secrets of his ranch to Casey Stoner

Valentino Rossi advises Casey Stoner on how to navigate the Tavullia circuit

Valentino Rossi shared an impressive video showcasing a day at the VR46 ranch alongside Casey Stoner, offering fans a glimpse behind the scenes.

Previously fierce competitors in MotoGP, Rossi and Stoner reunited post-retirement on Sunday to reminisce about their glory days.

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Stoner visited Rossi's ranch in Tavullia, where amazing Go Pro videos captured him navigating the dirt circuit.

Check out this Instagram post shared by Valentino Rossi (@valeyellow46)

"Rossi is heard saying, 'I'll guide you along the track,' as he prepares Stoner."

"The odd aspect of the path is…"

He subsequently characterized it as: "The track is notably quick."

Stoner remarks, "It's really slick."

Rossi offered an open invitation: "Whenever you visit Italy, the motorcycle is yours to use."

Later, he expressed his gratitude to Stoner for his visit, saying, "An immense pleasure. A tremendous honor."

Rossi shared with Stoner the best approach to navigating the Tavullia circuit: "It improves after sunset. There's increased traction and uniformity throughout.

"Enhancing your circuit time allows you to exert more effort and explore different racing lines. The condition of the racetrack gets better."

Stoner mentioned, “Similar to Jerez, the track becomes quick yet perilous when the shadows appear.”

"Consistently, major accidents occur following this period."

"Towards the conclusion of my professional journey, there comes a point when I decide to halt. Riding past 10 in the evening isn't something I do."

"The situation is identical in Jerez."

Rossi concurred, stating, "Once the shadows hit [Turn 9 and 10], that's sufficient."

He extended an invitation to Stoner for a post-event gathering: "We're having dinner – if you're keen to stick around, we're preparing a great feast. We've got skilled folks handling the grill!"

Stoner recently visited Italy to attend a motorcycle trade show and took part in a friendly competition where he made it to the semi-finals before being defeated by Carlos Checa.

Upon reaching Tavullia, his presence was an astonishment, initially revealed through social media by Rossi's companion Francesca, prior to The Doctor offering further details.

Marco Bezzecchi, who was racing alongside Rossi and Stoner, commented, "We returned to tackle some curbs, and it was fantastic! Having Vale and Casey there definitely made the day memorable!"

"Experiencing history firsthand, it's incredibly exciting to witness their collaboration up close! Truly a one-of-a-kind sensation."

Colin Edwards chimed in, labeling Rossi’s video as “badass!”

For ten years, James served as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American athletics, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Dani Pedrosa extends his tenure with KTM in MotoGP

Dani Pedrosa has inked a fresh contract extension to continue his role as the official MotoGP test rider for the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, KTM.

KTM has renewed its contract with Dani Pedrosa, ensuring his ongoing involvement in the testing and development of the RC16 MotoGP project until 2025.

In 2019, following his retirement from active professional motorcycle competition at the conclusion of the 2018 MotoGP season, Pedrosa embarked on a new chapter with KTM, taking on a role as a test rider for the Austrian manufacturer, a position he has held continuously since then.

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Consequently, the Spanish motorcyclist is set to embark on his seventh consecutive season racing for KTM in the coming year, a team that has not secured a MotoGP victory since the 2022 Thai Grand Prix, and notably, hasn't achieved a victory in dry conditions since the 2021 Catalan Grand Prix.

"Pedrosa expressed his delight in continuing our adventure into the next year," he stated upon revealing his latest contract with KTM.

"We're aware of the areas that require enhancement, and the entire factory team continues to work tirelessly to ensure the motorcycle is at its optimal performance level for the riders on the circuit."

"I'm excited about the potential actions we can undertake in 2025 and the new concepts that will emerge."

KTM Motorsports Director, Pit Beirer, stated: "The decision was easy for both sides, indicating a solid bond and mutual confidence."

"We truly have confidence in the value Dani adds to our MotoGP initiative across various aspects, not just when he's riding the upcoming version of the KTM RC16, and his input is crucial."

"We are confident that the improvement we're aiming for will happen, and having Dani on our team will expedite its arrival."

During his tenure with KTM, Pedrosa has participated as a wildcard entry on four occasions, with three of these appearances happening in the last two years. However, as of now, there are no confirmed plans for the rider, who has clinched 54 Grand Prix victories, to take part in any wildcard events in 2025.

In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years reporting on both consumer and racing motorcycle updates for Visordown.

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Aleix Espargaro expresses concern over Jorge Martin's move from Ducati to Aprilia, stating that transitioning from a successful Ducati bike to Aprilia won't be straightforward.

Aleix Espargaro has expressed support for Jorge Martin to clinch the MotoGP title, yet he also confesses to having concerns about the upcoming season.

Pramac’s Martin is ahead by 24 points over reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia as they approach the final event this weekend in Barcelona.

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In 2025, although Bagnaia will continue to have the top equipment in the sport, Martin will transition from Ducati to Aprilia.

Espargaro expressed to Motosprint that he felt immense satisfaction about Martin taking his place in the Aprilia team.

"I'm also apprehensive because transitioning to Aprilia after spending a long time with Ducati, which has a successful bike, won't be straightforward due to the completely different approach."

"It won't be simple, but he's my closest friend, and trusting him with my bike feels like a dream come true."

MotoGP veteran Espargaro is set to retire following this weekend's race, which has been rescheduled to take place in his hometown of Barcelona due to flooding issues in Valencia.

If Martin secures the championship victory this weekend, his Aprilia might feature the number 1 next season.

Espargaro is confident that his friend, despite not succeeding on the last day of 2023, will secure his first championship win.

"He announced, 'Jorge is the winner.'"

"He holds a strong advantage and has demonstrated his speed in the recent races."

"The disparity between Pecco and Jorge and the rest of the riders is striking, evoking memories of the epic rivalries from previous times."

"Each of them is worthy of receiving this title."

Martin is determined to demonstrate that Ducati made a mistake by choosing Marquez over him for the 2025 factory team spot, and he plans to do this by securing the championship title this weekend.

As soon as Ducati made their choice to select Marquez, he promptly agreed to a contract with Aprilia.

Martin has been passed over three times for a spot on the factory Ducati team.

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

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Guide on Viewing the 2024 Barcelona MotoGP Grand Prix Live

Details provided below on the viewing options for the 2024 Barcelona MotoGP Grand Prix, including event times and agenda.

Here's your guide to catching the 2024 Barcelona MotoGP Grand Prix from November 15 to 17, along with tips on accessing a complimentary live stream. Scroll down for a schedule of the event's start times.

The final game of the season, initially scheduled to take place in flood-affected Valencia, has been rescheduled and will now honor the victims of the disaster.

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Could varying track conditions influence the championship battle?

Jorge Martin, representing Pramac, is ahead by 24 points against Ducati's main rider Francesco Bagnaia.

Martin is set to become the champion should he secure a victory in the sprint race

BARCELONA MOTOGP SCHEDULE (UK TIME)

Friday, November 15 9:45 am – First Free Practice Session Noon – Practice Session

On Saturday, November 16, the schedule is as follows: practice begins at 9:10 a.m., followed by qualifying at 9:

Sunday, November 17, 1 PM – MotoGP

GUIDE TO STREAMING THE 2024 BARCELONA MOTOGP GRAND PRIX FROM ANY LOCATION

Being outside the country of your preferred TV streaming service can result in being unable to view the MotoGP in Barcelona due to geo-blocking. This technology limits access to content based on geographical location. Nevertheless, by employing a VPN, you can bypass these restrictions. ExpressVPN stands out as a top choice for this purpose.

ExpressVPN is providing a special promotion where every subscriber who opts for the yearly subscription gets an additional three months at no extra cost, amounting to a 49% discount. Additionally, there's a 30-day refund policy ensuring a secure trial period.

This device works seamlessly with a wide range of streaming gadgets such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox, PlayStation, as well as Android and Apple smartphones.

VIEWING THE BARCELONA MOTOGP GRAND PRIX ONLINE AT NO COST

You can access the Barcelona MotoGP event at no cost through the Austrian channels ORF and Servus by streaming it live on their respective platforms – ORF TVthek for ORF and Servus TV for Servus. Please note, the broadcast will be in German, and signing up for a free account might be necessary to watch.

The Barcelona MotoGP is also broadcasted for free by the Belgian network RTBF, though the commentary is exclusively in French. Viewers can stream it live via RTBF Auvio.

ACCESSING LIVE BROADCAST OF BARCELONA MOTOGP GRAND PRIX

Obtain a MotoGP Video Pass to view the event live.

This platform is officially administered by MotoGP and provides both live and on-demand coverage of all races, encompassing those from the past.

Each segment, including practices, qualifications, sprint races, and the grand prix events, of every circuit can be found here.

Additionally, a vast array of unique content is available for your enjoyment.

The annual subscription for MotoGP Video Pass is priced at €199.99, which is equivalent to £170.97, while the cost for a monthly subscription stands at €29.99 or £25.64.

GUIDE TO VIEWING THE 2024 BARCELONA MOTOGP GRAND PRIX IN THE UK

TNT Sports will broadcast all sessions of the MotoGP event in Barcelona, UK, throughout the weekend, from Friday to Sunday.

With a subscription to TNT, you'll have access to view the Barcelona MotoGP.

TNT Sports is available for £30.99, providing access to its four channels along with Discovery+. It's compatible with TV, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles.

You have the opportunity to register for a free 30-day trial of TNT Sports, included with the Discovery Plus Premium package on Amazon Prime.

WHERE TO VIEW COMPLIMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2024 BARCELONA MOTOGP GRAND PRIX

Complimentary MotoGP highlights are available on ITVX.

Highlights will be available for free on both MotoGP's official website and its YouTube channel.

VIEWING THE 2024 BARCELONA MOTOGP GRAND PRIX IN THE UNITED STATES

Exclusive broadcasting rights for the US coverage of the Barcelona MotoGP are held by TNT Sports. The races will be aired on their truTV network. For streaming options, viewers can turn to Max.

SlingTV is also a top destination for online streaming.

VIEWING THE 2024 BARCELONA MOTOGP GRAND PRIX IN AUSTRALIA

For those in Australia wanting to catch the action from the Barcelona MotoGP, Kayo Sports and Foxtel Go are the official broadcasters. You can access the coverage through these platforms.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, covering a wide range of sports, including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Eddie Jordan asserts that Lando Norris lacks the necessary qualities to win an F1 championship. According to Jordan, Norris is not yet equipped to secure a world title in Formula 1.

Eddie Jordan is skeptical about Lando Norris's current abilities to secure an F1 world championship title.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull appears poised to secure his fourth consecutive world championship title following an impressive performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Starting from 17th position on the grid, Verstappen made a remarkable recovery in the rain-affected race, which now places him 62 points ahead of Norris with only three races left in the season.

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Norris initially secured the top spot in qualifying but dropped to second place at the beginning of the race. His performance was marred by several mistakes, ultimately finishing in sixth place. He pitted just before a red flag incident, which worked to Verstappen's advantage, allowing him to change his tires without losing any time and ultimately win the race.

Former F1 team leader Jordan believes that Norris needs to enhance certain aspects of his performance if he aims to compete for world championships.

"Lando hasn't reached that level yet," Jordan mentioned during the Formula For Success podcast. "He hasn't mastered the start, nor has he excelled in the run to the corner from pole position."

"There is no question that he is incredibly fast. However, I have yet to witness anything from Lando that shows me the same capabilities Max displays on race day. Unfortunately, I just don't see it."

During the winter, Lando needs to spend some serious time reflecting on his performance. He should tell himself, "If I aim to be an outstanding World Champion, there's a great deal I need to understand. It's time to revisit and study those moments that truly exemplify resilience, determination, and triumph."

"I'm sorry, but right now, he doesn't have it."

After hearing Jordan's response, co-host and ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard remarked: "Wow, Eddie, you're quite a tough guy."

In response, Jordan said, "It's true that he hasn't converted those into victories in races."

"He wasted time on the podium and also did the same at the starting line."

"To be frank, just how many races was he supposed to win this year?"

Verstappen's victory brings him very close to securing the 2024 world championship at the upcoming race in Las Vegas.

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

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Pecco Bagnaia cautions Jorge Martin: 'Anxiety may lead to increased aggression'

The battle for the MotoGP championship between Ducati contenders will unfold in Barcelona

Francesco Bagnaia believes that Jorge Martin will experience difficulty handling the pressure of being a top contender in a MotoGP championship battle, noting that such stress can lead to increased aggressiveness and mistakes.

Heading into the last race of the 2024 season in Barcelona this weekend, Pramac's Martin is ahead of Bagnaia in the championship standings by 24 points.

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The occasion is being referred to as the Solidarity Grand Prix, in response to the fatal floods in Valencia earlier this month, which resulted in the cancellation of the race scheduled there.

Last year, the competition between the two riders lasted until the season's last race. However, Bagnaia entered the 2023 Valencia Grand Prix with a 21-point lead, a crucial factor that contributed to him securing his second MotoGP championship.

In 2022, Bagnaia was the frontrunner for the championship, boasting a 23-point lead over Fabio Quartararo as they approached the last race. However, due to nerves, he only managed to finish in ninth place, which, despite the struggle, was sufficient to clinch the title.

Heading into the Solidarity GP as the top contender, Martin is in an unfamiliar position of being the favorite, and Bagnaia believes that the pressure of the situation might affect his competitor.

"Definitely," Bagnaia of Ducati confirmed to TNT Sport, in response to whether nerves might still influence Martin's pursuit of the championship.

"For Jorge, the challenge will be significant as this marks his inaugural attempt at competing for a championship in MotoGP."

"I understand the sentiment and believe he'll give his all, yet nerves can sometimes lead to increased aggression and mistakes."

"At the moment, the sole focus for me is to keep striving, to keep aiming for victory, and to maintain hope."

In 2024, Bagnaia clinched victory in 10 Grand Prix races, notably triumphing in the recent Malaysian GP following a thrilling three-lap battle with Martin.

Throughout this year's Catalan GP in Barcelona, the Ducati team's rider consistently outpaced Martin, however, he suffered a fall while leading the sprint race before ultimately securing victory in the Sunday race.

Bagnaia feels sure about his quick pace in Barcelona but he's aware that the colder November race conditions increase the chance of errors.

"He also mentioned their efforts to maintain his impressive form from the beginning of the season in Barcelona during this weekend's events."

"I'm aware of my impressive performance back in Barcelona in June, yet the upcoming conditions might pose a challenge due to the expected cold weather, which could easily lead to errors."

"Therefore, maintaining composure, steering clear of errors, and striving for victories in both races is crucial. Persisting in this manner is the sole path toward achieving a win."

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Alpine has announced that starting in the 2026 Formula 1 season, they will transition to using engines and gearboxes provided by Mercedes.

Starting in 2026, Alpine will equip their Formula 1 cars with power units and gearboxes supplied by Mercedes, coinciding with the sport's new regulatory era.

The agreement, which spans several years, will be in effect throughout the period of F1's upcoming engine regulations set for 2026 to 2030.

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A brief announcement affirming the anticipated news also mentioned that Alpine is "dedicated to delivering the best performance possible in the 2024 and 2025 seasons."

Alpine is set to replace Aston Martin as the customer team, as Aston Martin will transition to using Honda engines in 2026. McLaren and Williams, on the other hand, continue to receive their engine supply from Mercedes.

In September, Renault revealed its decision to discontinue its Formula 1 engine program following the end of the 2025 season. This move will require Alpine to source power units from a different manufacturer.

The engine plant of the French company located in Viry-Chatillon, Paris, will focus on advancing electric motor and battery innovations, alongside continuing the company's involvement in motorsport.

For half a century, Renault has been manufacturing engines for Formula 1, having made their debut in the world championship back in 1977.

Alpine has faced a challenging 2024 season, but a surprising double podium finish at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix propelled the team to sixth position in the constructors' championship standings, with three races left to go.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. By being on-site, he provides firsthand accounts and highlights the experiences of key figures in the racing world.

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KTM spots a promising talent poised to be their next Pedro Acosta

KTM is keenly focusing on the future

Pit Beirer, the head of KTM's motorsport division, regards current Moto3 champion David Alonso as possibly being an exceptional talent, keeping him in consideration for the brand's upcoming MotoGP endeavors.

The young Colombian rider, aged 18, has been capturing the attention of many since his debut season in Moto3 the previous year, and has led the 2024 season impressively.

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To date, Alonso has clinched victory in 13 out of the 19 races conducted this season, securing his path to a debut championship. This feat surpasses the previous record for the most wins in a single season in the lightweight division, a record previously held by Valentino Rossi.

David Alonso secures his 13th victory of the season and his 6th consecutive win in Moto3, making waves at the Malaysian Grand Prix 🤯👏 #MotoGP #MalaysianGP pic.twitter.com/0Mz4klaQOt

The rider from Aspar Team is part of the KTM group, competing on bikes made by the Austrian brand and racing for CFMoto.

He is set to move up to Moto2 for the upcoming season with the Aspar team.

KTM's team currently boasts the young talent of Pedro Acosta, and looking ahead to the end of 2026, it includes seasoned riders such as Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, and Enea Bastianini.

In a conversation with Servus TV, Beirer emphasized the need to rejuvenate KTM's MotoGP lineup with new, younger riders and considers Alonso as a possible candidate to bridge that gap.

"Now, as David progresses to Moto2, we naturally aspire to see him compete in the MotoGP category eventually," he mentioned.

"At some point, we'll require a new young talent to join our ranks. Naturally, it's our aspiration to nurture a rider from their beginnings in the Rookies Cup, through Moto3, and into our team as a future star."

"David has the potential to become an exceptional rider, similar to that, and we will ensure he receives care comparable to Pedro's to avoid losing him."

Alonso has received significant acclaim from several top personalities within the MotoGP community, particularly from Marc Marquez.

Earlier this year, Marquez had a training session with Alonso during a track day, where he praised the 18-year-old for his remarkable ability to absorb feedback and implement it, referring to him as "a sponge."

Alonso has also captured attention beyond the track with his vibrant celebrations after races.

Upon clinching the championship in Japan, he marked the occasion on his initial pocketbike. Similarly, he emulated a Rossi-style victory lap during the Australian Grand Prix, commemorating the moment he equaled the record of achieving 11 wins in a single season within the lightweight category.

This past weekend, Alonso teamed up with his Aspar crew to assist in the cleanup efforts underway in Valencia, the team's home base, in response to the devastating floods that occurred earlier in the month.

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Dan Fallows resigns from his position as the technical director at Aston Martin F1, though he will continue to be a part of the larger organization.

Aston Martin has revealed that Dan Fallows will be leaving his position as the technical director for their Formula 1 team.

On Tuesday, the team located in Silverstone announced that Fallows will step down from his role starting in November, yet he will continue to be part of the organization.

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After an agreement was made with Red Bull, Fallows came on board as Aston Martin's technical director in 2022, bringing his well-regarded design expertise to the team.

Aston Martin has successfully lured renowned Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey from Red Bull. The 65-year-old is said to have secured a contract that could be valued at £30 million annually and is set to begin his role in March of the following year.

The announcement of Fallows leaving is unexpected, considering he was a crucial assistant to Newey while they worked together at Red Bull.

During my tenure with Aston Martin, I have had the pleasure and honor of leading the technical team as they work towards achieving victories in races and championships, Fallows remarked.

"I am ready to hand over my responsibilities, yet I eagerly anticipate observing the team's upcoming achievements, which I am confident will happen in the near future."

Andy Cowell, the CEO of Aston Martin Group, expressed gratitude towards Dan for his efforts at Aston Martin Aramco over the past two years. Under Dan's leadership, the team achieved significant success with the AMR23, earning eight podium finishes last season.

Aston Martin has faced a tough season in 2024 and currently holds the fifth position in the constructors' championship with 86 points, far behind the leaders.

Since their impressive beginning to the 2023 season, the team has continuously faced difficulties with the development of their car.

Lawrence Stroll, the owner, has big plans to transform Aston Martin into a team that can win races and compete for championships in the near future.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. By being on-site, he captures and narrates the experiences and perspectives of key figures in the racing world.

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COMMENTARY: In the 2024 MotoGP championship race, Marc Marquez stands alone

The battle for the MotoGP championship continues, and Marc Marquez is in close pursuit…

Dorna Sports has earned significant praise for ensuring that the last race of the 2024 MotoGP season will go ahead as planned over the weekend of November 15-17.

The catastrophic flooding in Valencia recently relegated MotoGP to a secondary concern. However, Dorna adeptly and smoothly orchestrated a plan to hold a race in Barcelona, maintaining the championship's timeline and guaranteeing a climactic battle between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia.

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The Barcelona Solidarity Grand Prix stands as a heartfelt tribute to the citizens of Valencia, as MotoGP gears up to launch several measures aimed at collecting funds for the flood recovery operations.

However, unity is a rare commodity in MotoGP, especially when the pinnacle of motorcycle racing is at stake. Martin is ahead of Bagnaia by 24 points and only has to beat his opponent by two points – a feat he might achieve in the sprint race – to secure the championship for Spain.

The odds are heavily in Martin's favor. Bagnaia is left with no option but to aim for victories in both upcoming races. However, with eight did-not-finish (DNF) results shadowing his efforts—particularly notable is his last-lap lead crash during the Catalan GP sprint in Barcelona this past May—it's yet another point that benefits Martin.

Ducati has essentially created a scenario where Bagnaia is left without genuine teammates to back him up.

The decision to favor Marc Marquez over Martin for its factory team in 2025, made shortly after the Catalan GP, led to Enea Bastianini losing his spot. This move gives Bastianini minimal incentive to remain loyal to the brand that sidelined him. Although a significant financial incentive might sway him, the allure of winning a grand prix could easily override that consideration.

Franco Morbidelli finds himself in a difficult situation, being caught between his roles as a representative for Pramac and a member of the VR46 Academy, despite having minimal involvement in the main competition this year with his GP24.

As the year progressed into its latter half, the performance of the GP23s has significantly declined, leaving VR46's Marco Bezzecchi in a challenging position to back up Bagnaia. Similarly, Alex Marquez and Michele Pirro, who stepped in for Fabio Di Giannantonio at VR46 for the weekend, find themselves facing the same predicament.

Bagnaia has expressed opposition to the concept of team instructions, a sentiment echoed by Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi before the Malaysian Grand Prix, emphasizing that the only directive to Ducati's squad is to “Avoid foolish actions.”

The current two-time world champion has remained true to his values of integrity, choosing not to reduce his speed during the Malaysian Grand Prix to involve Marquez and Bastianini in the race, which could have allowed him to gain a larger points lead over Martin. This noble approach highlights Bagnaia's moral fiber, yet it may also reveal a potential absence of the cutthroat attitude that could be challenged in 2025…

Facing a challenging situation, Bagnaia might adopt a different strategy at Barcelona. Following the Sepang race, he mentioned his intention to provide slipstreams to numerous riders during the last round in an effort to place other competitors between him and Martin. However, given the recent performance of the top two riders in the championship, those who attempt to follow Bagnaia closely risk ending up off the track and in the gravel.

Marc Marquez showcased some of his top performances this season during the Catalunya races in May, impressively securing podium finishes twice after starting from 14th position 👏#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/NQ0BZC7tPW

Throughout the year, Marc Marquez stands out as the singular rider who has maintained consistent performance. Despite a setback at the Sepang GP, where he did not finish due to a crash, he was previously keeping pace with the leading duo. This was on a GP23 bike, which was not performing as well as it did during the Barcelona races in May. In those races, Marquez impressively climbed from 14th position to secure a spot on the podium in both events.

Participants in the GP24 races have observed over recent months that the GP23 model appears to offer superior grip. This factor could be significant at the Barcelona track, known for its low grip, potentially aiding Marquez in achieving one more race victory in 2024 and also in clinching the third spot in the overall rankings.

Certainly, as the championship race captures everyone's attention, the contest for third place involving Marquez and Bastianini – contrasting GP23 and GP24, representing the future and past of Ducati respectively – is closely contested, with a mere point separating them before this weekend's grand prix, indicating a battle that will persist until the very end.

During an interview with Peter McLaren, MotoGP Editor for Crash.net, at the Malaysian Grand Prix, Marc Marquez was questioned whether he would rather achieve an additional victory or secure third place in the overall standings. Marquez fervently chose the option of another win. He has openly stated that his focus this season, as a racer for Gresini, isn't on where he ends up in the championship rankings.

Ducati undoubtedly hopes to maintain some dignity; its 2025 team lineup coming in second place to the current team it plans to replace will likely cause some tension among the executives during a tense winter, as they hope fervently that their strategy for the upcoming year proves successful.

However, if Marquez is singularly concentrated on achieving another victory, this positions him as a formidable contender against Martin and Bagnaia, while simultaneously presenting him as a potential collaborator for the two.

The topic of 'interference' has come up several times in recent months, with the events of 2015 lingering in the minds of many. Before the Thai Grand Prix, and after securing a victory over Martin in the Australian GP the previous week—a win that reduced Martin's points by five—Marquez commented, "Back in 2015, I wasn't directly involved, yet I still ended up affecting someone's score. It's unpredictable. These situations are beyond one's control. I'll give it my all."

It's important to mention that if Martin had secured an additional five points in Australia over Bagnaia, his lead in the championship would have increased to 29 points as they approached the final race. If Bagnaia hadn't suffered a crash from second place in the Thai GP, he would be just four points behind Martin. Further, Martin noted that he managed to avoid a crash on his GP24 only because he foresaw his own front end issue after witnessing Marquez's fall.

In the previous season, while riding for Honda, Marquez chose not to aggressively compete against Martin for the 10th position at the Qatar Grand Prix. His reasoning was that since he wasn't in contention for the championship, he preferred not to hinder Martin's chances by scoring points from him. This year in Thailand, his efforts to surpass Bagnaia for the top spot were executed with precision and fairness. Being an eight-time world champion, Marquez is empathetic towards the challenges faced by Martin and Bagnaia. Given that he has no stake in the current competition, he's steering clear of taking risks that could impact their standings unnecessarily.

In essence, Australia demonstrated that whenever he possesses speed – no matter the competitor – he's ready to seize the opportunity. Once more, his competition with Martin at Phillip Island was fair. If a comparable scenario presents itself in Barcelona, Marquez is expected to act in the same manner as before.

Ultimately, the effect on Martin and Bagnaia is relatively minor. However, as the one behind in points, Bagnaia is expected to feel the impact more significantly than Martin due to the gap in their standings. Martin has the leeway to give up some points to his competitor as long as he remains in a position to clinch the championship; Bagnaia does not have this luxury.

Many view Marquez as the potential support rider for Bagnaia in their future collaboration. However, despite Marquez's commitment to the team, expecting the 31-year-old to simply follow orders without question is overly optimistic.

He has successfully demonstrated his value to Ducati by disrupting the balance they had established, compelling them to acknowledge his significance. Ducati is facing several losses: Martin is moving to Aprilia, Pramac is switching to Yamaha, Bastianini is joining KTM, and Marco Bezzecchi is also heading to Aprilia. Moreover, next year, they will have just three GP25s competing.

Marquez is in a position where he can disregard the preferences of team management following his impressive performance. By continuing his usual approach in Barcelona, he unintentionally harms Bagnaia's chances of winning the championship. If Bagnaia fails to secure the title, he would have to attribute his loss primarily to his eight race withdrawals. Additionally, for Marquez, this situation presents the advantage of joining the factory Ducati team without having to team up with the current champion.

Bagnaia's decision not to team up with Pramac, along with the Ducati higher-ups' concerns about potentially losing him, has highlighted that his standing within the company isn't as solid as one might expect for their most accomplished MotoGP rider to date. With Bagnaia entering 2025 without a championship title and now competing against Marquez within the same team, the situation seems to advantage Marquez more than Bagnaia.

Marquez refuses to be drawn into a secondary position at the Solidarity GP, and he won't engage in any risky behavior to favor one contender over another. However, there are numerous factors that could make him a significant influence in determining the winner of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship…

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Niels Wittich has resigned from his position as the F1 race director, and a successor has been appointed. Wittich's departure is effective immediately.

Niels Wittich has resigned from his role as the F1 race director, effective immediately.

The FIA informed Crash.net that Wittich has stepped down from his position to "explore new opportunities".

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The German took on the role in 2022, succeeding Michael Masi, who was dismissed due to his management of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the contentious ending to the championship.

Starting with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Rui Marques, previously serving as the race director for Formula 2 and Formula 3, will take over the position from Wittich.

An FIA representative announced that Niels Wittich has resigned from his role as the F1 Race Director to explore new career prospects.

Niels has carried out his many duties as Race Director with both professionalism and dedication. We appreciate his hard work and wish him all the best moving forward.

Rui Marques is set to take on the position of Race Director starting with the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Rui comes with extensive experience from his past roles, including track marshal, scrutineer, both national and international steward, Deputy Race Director, and Race Director across multiple championships.

Lately, he served as the Race Director for both Formula 2 and Formula 3 events.

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

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