Johann Zarco calls for "respect" towards Honda's progress, asserting "they are clearly intelligent"

LCR Honda racer praises the company's advancements during the off-season.

Johann Zarco believes that Honda MotoGP racers should "honor" the company's winter upgrades, despite the fact that Romano Albesiano is stepping in as the new technical director.

Honda made a significant change to their team by bringing in Albesiano from Aprilia to lead their technical division. This move comes after the Japanese company ended up at the bottom of the constructors' rankings in 2024.

Albesiano started his position in January, which means he hasn't significantly impacted Honda's development efforts conducted during the winter leading up to the pre-season test in Sepang this week.

LCR's Zarco expresses confidence that Albesiano has been able to offer Honda's engineering team some insights regarding the bike. However, he emphasizes that the engineers are clearly intelligent and their efforts should not be underestimated.

"It's difficult to determine," he responded when questioned about whether Albesiano has had an impact on the development of the bike.

"I'm confident that he could have already contributed ideas, but given that he began his role in January, Honda had already laid the groundwork."

"They couldn't delay until Romano's concepts emerged in early January and then decide, 'Alright, we'll organize all preparations by the end of January.'"

"We need to honor that and proceed with it, as the concepts Honda aims to evaluate are definitely not foolish."

The individual who might be privy to certain confidential information is Gigi Dall'Igna, however, he is not the person who entered into an agreement with Honda.

"It seems that while Albesiano might offer suggestions, we need to stick to the plans we developed from November until now."

Johann Zarco shares insights into Honda's strategy in Sepang. Honda has already taken to the Sepang circuit for the initial testing phase. Zarco observed that the developments closely resembled those he experienced during tests late in the previous year.

He observed that, based on his current perspective, the bike appears to be largely the same, although they are experimenting with various different approaches.

"Tomorrow, we need to decide on the chassis. That's going to be our initial goal."

"They are working on some engine projects, although the top option might not be available immediately in Malaysia. Additionally, we will focus on aerodynamic components on the final day."

"Having gained experience, I no longer anticipate anything that instantly elevates performance or suggests that podium finishes are immediately achievable. I understand the effort involved and recognize the challenges in bringing everything together."

"The Japanese are implementing adjustments, yet often the sentiment remains unchanged, making it challenging to achieve significant progress."

"However, now that Romano is involved, I believe progress will be made."

He is really impressed with Honda's potential, and I appreciate this because I share the same sentiment now as I did a year ago.

"It's comforting to know that he shares the same feelings as I do."

Statements shared by Peter McLaren, Editor at Crash MotoGP

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F1 2025 Race Schedule Announced: Start Times for Each Race

The start times for each race in the 2025 F1 season have been disclosed.

The FIA, which oversees Formula 1, has announced all the start times for the 2025 season.

The FIA has announced the schedule for all 24 rounds of the upcoming F1 season, just a little over a month ahead of the first race, the Australian Grand Prix, set for March 16.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix schedule has been adjusted, with the event now starting two hours earlier than previously planned due to worries about the timing.

The schedules for the majority of the other races stayed the same.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix started at 10 PM local time, which is 6 AM in the UK, during the initial two years of its agreement.

However, due to worries about the event's late timing and the effects of jet lag on Formula 1 staff, adjustments are scheduled for 2025.

The qualifying session and the race are now scheduled for 8 PM local time, which is 4 AM in the UK, on Friday and Saturday.

The Las Vegas organizers released a statement explaining that this change is informed by the feedback, insights, and experiences gathered from the initial two races. The aim is to broaden opportunities for fans to explore the location and to continue connecting with a larger audience throughout the United States.

For Formula 1 enthusiasts in the UK, the race at Silverstone, known as the British Grand Prix, is scheduled to commence at 3 PM

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Schedule for F1 Races in 2025

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Lewis Hamilton views 2025 as his prime opportunity to clinch an unprecedented eighth F1 championship.

Lewis Hamilton has received advice that the 2025 F1 season may present his optimal opportunity to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship.

The record-setting seven-time world champion has made a sensational transfer from Mercedes to their F1 adversaries, Ferrari. There, he will join forces with Charles Leclerc in pursuit of an unparalleled eighth world championship.

Achieving this milestone would not only mark the end of Ferrari's championship trophy dry spell but also allow Hamilton to surpass the iconic Michael Schumacher in the Formula 1 historical standings.

Sky Sports F1 analyst David Croft suggests that 2025 could present the optimal opportunity for Hamilton before the rules are overhauled in 2026.

"Croft mentioned at the Autosport Awards that, in his opinion, this could be Lewis' greatest opportunity to secure an eighth World Championship."

"Considering the time of year, teams are unlikely to introduce new changes continuously, as they have to focus on planning for 2026."

"I believe Ferrari is the most eager among the top four teams to maximize their performance in 2025, given their prolonged period without a victory."

"They aim to demonstrate that either Lewis or Charles [Leclerc] is the suitable choice."

Ferrari downplays Hamilton's issues

Following a disappointing last season at Mercedes and difficulties in qualifying, there are whispers that Hamilton, at 40, may no longer be at the top of his game in Formula 1.

However, Piero Ferrari, offspring of the iconic founder of Ferrari, Enzo, has brushed aside these rumors, emphasizing that Hamilton is in “excellent condition” as he approaches his eagerly awaited first season with the Scuderia.

"[Hamilton] is fit, he's in excellent physical and mental condition, I don't see his age as an issue whatsoever," he conveyed to Italian magazine Autosprint.

He embraced the task with great eagerness, showing confidence in his skills.

Ferrari's team leader, Frederic Vasseur, has emphasized that he is not concerned about the recent performance of Hamilton.

"He firmly believes, without pointing fingers at Lewis or Mercedes, that this scenario is challenging to navigate. He acknowledges that if things aren't progressing smoothly, it's understandable for there to be strain in this relationship," he stated as 2024 came to a close.

"He was mentally struggling, which was evident during his time in Brazil, yet he managed to excel in the final few events, so I have no concerns whatsoever."

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Lewis Hamilton views 2025 as his prime opportunity to secure an eighth F1 championship

Is 2025 shaping up to be the year Lewis Hamilton secures an unprecedented eighth F1 world championship?

Lewis Hamilton has received advice suggesting that the 2025 F1 season may present his greatest opportunity to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship.

The seven-time world champion has made a sensational move from Mercedes to join Formula 1 adversaries Ferrari, partnering with Charles Leclerc in pursuit of an unparalleled eighth world championship.

Achieving this milestone would not only conclude Ferrari's championship trophy dry spell but would also position Hamilton ahead of the iconic Michael Schumacher in the Formula 1 historical records.

Sky Sports F1 analyst David Croft suggests that 2025 could be Hamilton's optimal opportunity before the rules overhaul in 2026.

"Croft mentioned at the Autosport Awards that this could be Lewis' prime opportunity to secure his eighth World championship."

"Considering the current season, it's unlikely that teams will introduce new developments consistently each week, as they have their sights set on 2026."

"I believe Ferrari is the most eager among the major four teams to capitalize on the 2025 season, given their extended period without a victory."

"They aim to demonstrate that either Lewis or Charles [Leclerc] is the ideal choice."

Ferrari downplays Hamilton's issues

A disappointing last season at Mercedes and difficulties in qualifying have sparked doubts about whether Hamilton, at 40, might have reached the pinnacle of his F1 career.

However, Piero Ferrari, offspring of the iconic founder of Ferrari, Enzo, has brushed aside such speculation, maintaining that Hamilton is in "fine form" as he approaches his eagerly awaited first season with the Scuderia.

"[Hamilton] is fit and well, both in body and mind. I believe age isn't an issue in the slightest," he conveyed to the Italian outlet Autosprint.

He embraced the task with great zeal, showing confidence in his skills.

Ferrari's team leader, Frederic Vasseur, has emphasized that he is not concerned about Hamilton's latest performance.

"He firmly believes, without pointing fingers at Lewis or Mercedes, that handling this scenario is quite challenging. He acknowledges that if things aren't progressing smoothly, it can negatively impact their partnership," he stated as 2024 came to a close.

"He was mentally struggling, and this was evident during his time in Brazil. However, he performed impressively in the recent events, which leaves me with no concerns."

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Fabio di Giannantonio has stated that his shoulder is "as good as new" and he has a "clear mind" regarding the GP25. He expressed his desire to ride the GP25 and provide his honest feedback.

Fabio di Giannantonio is set to ride in his first MotoGP session since last competing at the Thai Grand Prix in October. He will be back on the track tomorrow as the Official Sepang Test begins.

The Pertamina VR46 racer withdrew from the 2024 season to have significant shoulder surgery, following a dislocation that occurred several months ago in Austria.

This resulted in him missing both the last two rounds of the world championship and the post-race testing in Barcelona, where the initial model of the factory-spec GP25, which he will compete with this season, was unveiled to the public.

"The winter season has been lengthy," di Giannantonio remarked in an interview with Crash.net at Sepang on Tuesday.

"I had to concentrate intensely on regaining movement in my shoulder. Following that, I worked on restoring strength to all the muscles surrounding it. It was quite an extensive journey. However, at this point, I'm feeling great, at about 80-90%."

"I haven't fully regained my strength yet since I only began physical training at the beginning of January, leaving me with only a few weeks to prepare for this test."

"I'm feeling great. We spent three days riding the Panigale in Mandalika, and I had a fantastic time. My shoulder didn't cause me any pain at all."

"However, participating in MotoGP is an entirely different experience. We'll have to wait and see what unfolds here."

When questioned about what he anticipates being the most challenging aspect, Diggia responded: "Without a doubt, it's the [deficiency in physical] preparation, particularly when it comes to braking."

"I need to focus on the straight sections and the correct turns, as those were the primary challenges last year."

"I couldn't position myself as low inside the fairing on right turns as I could on left turns."

During a press briefing at the track, the 26-year-old remarked that his left shoulder now feels "brand new, as if nothing ever occurred." He praised the Professor, describing him as one of the world's top surgeons for this type of operation and expressing that he believes the Professor performed excellently.

Reflecting on the experience of racing the GP bike in the final seven events of last season, it was undoubtedly challenging. However, the situation has changed significantly now. I am optimistic that the performance on the track will also improve starting tomorrow.

The GP25? "I aim to maintain an open mindset," says di Giannantonio, who will be the sole competitor besides the Ducati Lenovo pair, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, to have the highly sought-after GP25 at his disposal.

"We have numerous options to explore!" smiled the Italian rider, who has previously raced on MotoGP bikes that were already a year old and had reached the end of their development cycle.

"This is my first experience testing such a large number of components, and it's incredibly exciting. It's really great to be involved in this."

"Certainly, each person will follow their individual schedule, but the three of us will collaborate on the bike's development."

Giannantonio observed from the sidelines as Bagnaia and Marquez experienced their initial ride on the GP25 in Barcelona.

However, he remains receptive as he approaches Wednesday's premiere.

"The Qatar 2023 race winner mentioned that both the team and Ducati chose not to share numerous details with him to avoid swaying his perspective, which he believes was a wise decision."

"I definitely caught some things from you journalists, from interviews and a few remarks. However, personally, I preferred not to know too much because I wanted to keep my mind clear."

"I would like to cycle and express my deepest emotions."

"It appears that the start has been quite promising. Although the lap times were decent, the bike used in Barcelona wasn't the complete version of the 2025 model. This is in part because the final design for the 2025 model hasn't been finalized yet, as we are still conducting tests for this year."

"I believe that moving forward, we will have the initial '25 prototype for the season."

The Sepang test is scheduled to occur from Wednesday through Friday.

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For two decades, Peter has been involved in the racing scene, witnessing the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is currently deeply engaged with the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and the injury troubles faced by Marc Marquez.

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Maverick Vinales sets benchmarks for a "successful" MotoGP test in Sepang

Vinales to spend three days in Malaysia adjusting to KTM

Maverick Vinales states that a "successful" pre-season MotoGP test in Sepang with KTM will help him to "grasp the bike's limitations," focusing more on this aspect than on performance outcomes.

The racer, who has secured 10 grand prix victories, has committed to joining KTM and will compete with the Tech3 satellite team in 2025, after spending three and a half years with Aprilia's factory team.

After having a successful initial trial on the RC16 last November in Barcelona, Vinales mentions that he does not have any specific performance objectives for his visit to Sepang this week.

“To tell the truth, I’ll be occupied with my own matters,” he mentioned.

"Adjusting to a different bicycle requires significant effort."

"It's always fascinating, so I'm eager to fully enjoy the adaptation process. I'm curious to experience how it feels on a different track like Sepang."

"In my view, a test is considered successful if I can grasp the bike's limitations, comprehend the dynamics during a time attack, observe the behavior in race mode, and understand the experience of trailing another rider."

Addressing each of these issues will be crucial for achieving a successful test outcome.

"Clearly, I'm not familiar enough with the bike to determine whether it's an improvement or not."

"You can sense it and you can see it. However, my goal is to find answers to all the questions swirling in my head."

In 2025, Maverick Vinales has aspirations for success in MotoGP while riding for a satellite team. This marks his initial season with a satellite outfit, although the team maintains a strong connection with the factory, as evidenced by all four KTM bikes featuring a consistent livery that year.

After Pramac secured the championship last year with Jorge Martin, Vinales views the transition to a satellite team as not being a disadvantage.

He mentioned that he believes the atmosphere is pleasant.

"Everyone is working together, and I believe this is for a single purpose, which is crucial."

"In the previous year, a secondary team determined the outcome of the championship, so at present, I don't believe it's a matter of concern."

"In past years, perhaps, during a different time. However, currently, all the bikes are identical and completely equal."

The team atmosphere is optimistic and upbeat, which suggests that things are likely to go very well.

"The key priority at the moment is to maintain simplicity and operate effectively."

"In the end, the factory is providing support. Technically, it appears that way, but once I'm on the inside, it seems different."

Statements given by Peter McLaren, Editor of Crash MotoGP

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Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton have introduced the Puma team attire for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc showcased Ferrari's team kit for the 2025 F1 season.

Ferrari has unveiled the all-new team attire that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will sport for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

On Tuesday, Ferrari unveiled their latest team apparel, which drivers Hamilton and Leclerc will wear at the racetrack during the upcoming season when they are not in their racing suits.

This follows Ferrari's unveiling of their racing suits for the 2025 season last week.

Hamilton and Leclerc, who are now teammates, posed together once more for a set of formal photographs wearing their Puma-designed team uniforms.

The stylish design showcases the new Ferrari sponsor, UniCredit, a collaboration revealed at the beginning of this year.

Introducing our latest Team Kit for 2025! 😍 Check it out on Twitter: pic.twitter.com/0YUfhj3BQ4— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 4, 2025

In 2025, Hamilton, who has won the world championship seven times, and Leclerc, who has secured victory in eight grand prix races, will join forces to create what many consider the most formidable driver duo on the racing circuit.

Hamilton is preparing for his first season with Ferrari following a high-profile move from his former team, Mercedes, who are competitors in Formula 1.

The duo has been engaged in private testing sessions with Ferrari, piloting a 2023 model vehicle at the Fiorano circuit and in Barcelona over the last two weeks.

Hamilton and Leclerc are set to take turns driving an altered 2024 Ferrari on February 4th and 5th. They will be conducting a test for Pirelli's 2026 tires at the Spanish Grand Prix track.

On February 18, at the O2 Arena in London, Ferrari is set to unveil the design of their 2025 car during the launch event for the F1-75 season.

The day after, Scuderia plans to reveal their 2025 race car, the SF-25, at Maranello ahead of the F1 pre-season testing scheduled for February 26-28.

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Kimi Antonelli expresses gratitude to "incredibly generous" Lewis Hamilton for his encouragement before his first Formula 1 race.

"He's an incredible icon within the sport, having accomplished a great deal. Therefore, I'm genuinely excited about the chance I'm being given."

Andrea Kimi Antonelli shared that Lewis Hamilton offered significant encouragement following Mercedes' decision to appoint him as the successor of the seven-time world champion for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

In light of Hamilton's unexpected move to switch to Ferrari for the upcoming season, Mercedes found themselves with several alternatives to consider.

Following considerations of bringing Max Verstappen on board and bypassing Carlos Sainz, Antonelli received an invitation from Toto Wolff to join George Russell on the track in 2025.

Antonelli has completed only a single season in Formula 2, bypassing Formula 3 altogether.

At only 18 years of age, Antonelli is set to be the most junior competitor among the racers as he gears up for his first Formula 1 race at the upcoming Australian Grand Prix next month.

At the Autosport Awards, while conversing with TikTok influencer Lissie Mackintosh, Antonelli shared insights into how Hamilton supported him as he geared up for his first season.

"Antonelli mentioned, "He's been incredibly kind to me. He keeps advising me to just have fun, give it my all, and not stress about everything else."

Additionally, it seems he penned a thoughtful note inside the driver's cabin of the Mercedes truck.

"I'm genuinely excited about reading it. I also find his gesture incredibly generous. Honestly, I'm still in disbelief that I'll be on the grid alongside him next year."

"Truly, he's an iconic presence in the sport, having accomplished a great deal. I'm genuinely excited about the chance I've been given."

Is Mercedes Poised to Contend for the F1 Championship in 2025?

Mercedes has shown remarkable inconsistency following the adoption of the ground effect rules in 2022.

Throughout 2022, their efforts were severely hindered by the bouncing issue known as porpoising. Nevertheless, a victory in Brazil towards the season's close inadvertently led them astray.

For the first time in more than ten years, they didn't secure a single victory throughout 2023, yet they managed to outperform Ferrari, securing the runners-up position in the constructors' championship

The previous year marked their highest achievement in race victories, securing four in total, yet they fell to fourth place in the constructors' standings.

In 2024, Mercedes' fluctuating performance became more noticeable, with optimal results largely dependent on cooler track environments.

Facing impending regulations set to take effect in 2026, Mercedes might consider sidelining this season's efforts to guarantee a competitive edge for the championship in the next year.

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Marco Bezzecchi reveals an impressive feature of Aprilia

Marco Bezzecchi offers initial insights into his experience with the new Aprilia.

Marco Bezzecchi has expressed his admiration for the performance of his Aprilia, even after transitioning from a Ducati.

This season, Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin will be the new factory team for Aprilia, but both riders will need to adjust from their previous Ducati models.

In the 2024 MotoGP season, Martin claimed victory riding a factory-spec Ducati, whereas Bezzecchi struggled to adapt to the 2023 model he had used in the previous year.

Wearing Aprilia's colors, he is optimistic about a new beginning at the official test in Sepang this week.

Bezzecchi expressed a desire to spend additional time riding the bike, but noted that he had no major grievances overall.

"There are areas where we excel and areas that need improvement, and we will focus on enhancing the latter."

Overall, I have no issues with either the bicycle or the manufacturing plant.

"The initial impression? I instantly sensed that it was excellent."

"The responses from the frontline were incredible, and I felt truly pleased with them."

"I found it incredibly impressive."

"Feeling confident with the front right away is fantastic, as it's more crucial than the rear when you're riding."

Marco Bezzecchi transitions from riding for Ducati to joining the Aprilia team. One significant change from last year's Ducati model is that Bezzecchi will need to operate a manual ride height adjustment system on his new Aprilia.

"It's not the same, but it's not any worse," he asserted.

"Occasionally, it's beneficial to possess a tool that functions right away. It's not a button; it's a lever."

"I have to acclimate myself to it. At Montmelo, we began our efforts. I began to comprehend the optimal timing for activating the device."

"I'll have additional time here to comprehend better."

Lorenzo Savadori conducted the testing for Aprilia during last weekend's Shakedown event.

"We had discussions with Sava, the entire Trackhouse team, and notably the factory," stated Bezzecchi.

"The team at Aprilia Racing has put in a lot of effort over the winter. It's now up to us to provide our input."

"Beginning in a positive manner is crucial."

"We stayed in contact all winter long."

"Following the Montmelo event, we provided input regarding the motorcycle. The team spent the winter months addressing our suggestions."

"Our remarks, along with those from Jorge, were aligned, providing a straightforward path to pursue."

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Nico Rosberg reveals that Lewis Hamilton sets aside their competitive past by presenting his daughters with Christmas presents.

2016 Formula One champion Nico Rosberg disclosed that his fierce competitor, Lewis Hamilton, has been gifting presents to his two daughters, indicating a gradual improvement in their strained relationship.

Rosberg and Hamilton experienced a fierce competition during their four-year tenure as teammates in Formula 1.

Before joining Mercedes, the duo had a strong friendship, tracing back to their early days racing karts together.

At Mercedes, Hamilton typically outperformed his teammate, securing the championships in both 2014 and 2015. However, Rosberg responded with an exceptional season, capturing his first world championship in 2016.

In a surprising move, the German announced his retirement from Formula 1 after clinching the championship title, leaving the sport while still the reigning world champion.

Over time, the once strained relationship between Hamilton and Rosberg, stemming from their competitive racing days, has gradually mended.

In 2021, they were spotted vacationing alongside Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and his spouse, Susie Wolff.

Towards the end of January, Rosberg and his spouse, Vivian, were guests on the NDR Talkshow in Germany.

The interviewer brought up Hamilton and inquired if Rosberg could verify that his two daughters are supporters of the Ferrari driver.

The ex-Formula One racer was questioned, "Perhaps a more sensitive issue for you, but are both of your daughters admirers of Lewis Hamilton?"

Rosberg responded, "That's accurate as well. It's not just a minor issue; it's a significant problem."

The interviewer inquired whether Hamilton had truly gifted them Barbie dolls as part of his holiday gesture.

Vivian replied, "Indeed, he consistently presents them with Barbies during Christmas."

Rosberg commented, “Oh, that’s wonderful. It’s kind of him. We used to have a bit of a rivalry. But now, each Christmas, our kids find a massive box of gifts from him right at our doorstep. It’s a lovely gesture.”

The interviewer joked, "Is he banned from entering during Christmas?"

Rosberg finished by saying, "He must remain outside. However, he's free to leave the gifts there."

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Jorge Martin discusses his "fixation" and initial goal with Aprilia

"I plan to maintain the mindset I had last season…"

Current MotoGP world titleholder Jorge Martin has expressed that his main goal for his debut season with Aprilia is to be the best version of himself, rather than concentrating solely on achieving results.

After securing the championship title for Ducati, Martin joins Aprilia while holding onto the top position. Last year, Ducati reversed its decision to elevate him to their main team.

Last November, the world champion had a day of experience riding the RS-GP in Barcelona. This week, he will further adjust to the bike during the pre-season testing at Sepang.

As the reigning world champion and a newly appointed factory team rider, Martin faces significant expectations for the upcoming season. However, he doesn't share this perspective.

He stated that he currently does not experience any pressure.

"The kind of pressure we're looking for is to achieve positive outcomes. However, I intend to maintain the mindset I had during the previous season."

"My goal wasn't to win; I aimed to improve daily and become the best version of myself."

"My focus is on becoming the best version of myself, and when it happens, it happens."

Jorge Martin senses a duty at Aprilia.

"I'm attempting to influence everyone with these ideas, as when I first joined, everyone was saying, 'we need to win, we need to win,'" he remarked.

"We aren't required to win. Our focus should be on giving our utmost effort, and from there, we'll be able to gauge our capabilities. Our potential is significant, but we'll soon discover our current standing."

He mentioned, "The stress I experienced last season is something I don't expect to encounter again in my lifetime."

"I experience a sense of duty rather than stress. It's about being accountable, not feeling pressured."

"The intensity you experience while competing for a championship is at its peak, and what I've gone through over the past few years, especially last year, was overwhelming."

"Now I feel very at ease and eager to put on a show."

"I've relieved myself of a significant burden and am now concentrating on giving my all, while being mindful of the responsibility that comes with having the entire factory supporting us."

Martin mentions that establishing the "family" bond he experienced at Pramac is a gradual process at Aprilia, as he is still relatively new to the team. However, he believes that he has already developed a better rapport with the management at Aprilia compared to his time at Ducati.

"We definitely aren't yet a close-knit group like the Pramac team," he mentioned.

"Joining the same team and organization again after four years is quite challenging."

"I've brought a few team members from Pramac. I also knew some individuals at Aprilia through Aleix Espargaro, so it seems like the team is really coming together well."

"It's like being part of a large family; I now feel a connection with the bosses that I didn't have with any of them before."

"Now, I truly feel like I'm part of the project and capable of making a significant contribution. It feels refreshing and revitalizing to step inside the box and breathe in the fresh air. This is incredibly positive."

Statements offered by Peter McLaren, the Editor of Crash MotoGP

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Brad Binder identifies a crucial skill of Pedro Acosta that he should emulate on the KTM.

Brad Binder shares insights on the factory KTM team's upcoming test in Sepang.

Brad Binder understands that he should draw motivation from Pedro Acosta's approach to riding the KTM, especially in one crucial aspect.

Last year, Acosta excelled in his debut season and has since been elevated to KTM's official MotoGP team, joining forces with Binder.

Last season, Binder managed to finish just ahead of Acosta in the standings, securing the position as the highest-ranked rider not on a Ducati. However, Binder has pointed out the areas where the young talent is maximizing the performance of his bike.

"When questioned about how he could emulate Acosta's riding technique, Binder mentioned that one aspect he needs to focus on is initiating at the corner entry."

"I should start the process sooner. I tend to postpone repeatedly, and then suddenly rush to complete it quickly!"

"Lacking front grip can lead to difficult situations."

"I should approach it with more care. It's something I noticed he was doing right from the start."

"If I'm able to achieve this, it will simplify things for me."

Brad Binder hopes for two significant adjustments from KTM. Binder and Acosta are scheduled to participate in the official MotoGP test at Sepang in 2025, which will take place this week from February 7-9. They will be stepping in for KTM test riders Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro, who previously participated in the Shakedown session.

Binder expressed two key desires for the progression of his KTM: "A significant improvement would be reducing the wheel spin on the straights. I believe this change could have a substantial impact throughout the season."

"If we were able to improve our turning, we wouldn't need to push the front so hard, which would reduce problems in that area."

"Both options would be greatly valued."

Binder is confident that the mood at KTM is positive, saying, "I haven't actually talked to Dani or Pol yet, but I've had discussions with my team."

"It's the most positive I've observed them in quite some time, particularly following an initial test."

"There's a lot of excitement in the air. They have many plans in the works."

He emphasizes that all information and new components developed during the season will be available to the new Tech3 pair, Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.

He mentioned that the situation was identical the previous year, where whatever applied to one individual applied to everyone.

"We implemented various changes with all four riders providing feedback, which then led to further adjustments."

"It seems to me that we function as a group of four rather than just a pair. Although there's a barrier separating us, everything else remains accessible."

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

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