Aprilia responds to Ducati's 'purchase the #1' taunt

Leaders from Ducati and Aprilia engage in a tit-for-tat over the #1 plate

The playful rivalry between Ducati and Aprilia is already underway.

Just last weekend, Jorge Martin clinched the MotoGP title while competing for Pramac Ducati, but a lot has already shifted since then.

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Martin has relocated to Aprilia, a team he evaluated in Barcelona riding a motorcycle marked with #89, as he remains undecided about choosing to compete under the #1 plate in 2025.

This suggests that Ducati could witness their competitors from Italy rejoicing over the current champion's victory, even though he achieved this success riding their motorcycle.

"Ducati team leader Davide Tardozzi conveyed to TNT Sports, 'The FIM record will state '2024 champion, Jorge Martin riding a Ducati.'"

"If Aprilia acquires this top spot, it remains to be seen whether they can maintain their position…"

Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, responded with laughter, saying, "I believe our expenditure for that figure was lower than theirs!"

Tardozzi expressed uncertainty about the strategies of their competitors. Following their triumph in Barcelona, Martin, along with the whole Pramac squad, has parted ways with Ducati.

However, the manufacturer will maintain their stronghold even as their leading factory rider, Pecco Bagnaia, acknowledges losing the championship to the competing satellite rider, Martin.

Speaking to TNT Sports in Barcelona, Tardozzi said, "It's been an incredible year for Ducati, given that Pramac is part of the Ducati team.

"Our team consists of seven members dedicated to supporting our main racer. This is because Jorge holds the position of our primary racer."

"Indeed, while his victories were fewer compared to Pecco's, his consistent presence on the podium justifies his position at the top of the championship standings."

In the upcoming year, Ducati is set to receive Marc Marquez, following his trial run with the GP25 during the offseason evaluation.

However, Tardozzi will monitor Aprilia's advancements closely, especially after Ducati secured Marquez, allowing Aprilia to bring on board Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.

Tardozzi cautioned, "We're looking at an incredible lineup for next year.

"The 2025 bicycle is set to undergo development throughout the winter season effectively."

"However, I'm uncertain about the actions of our competitors. We believe there's going to be a progress from 2024 to 2025."

"However, I'm unsure about the extent of progress from the competitors, particularly Aprilia, which boasts an impressive pair – Martin and Marco Bezzecchi – along with a new technical head."

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

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Pecco Bagnaia believes he has “8 or 10 years” left in MotoGP and aims for a comeback akin to Marc Marquez's success.

“My aim is to maintain my speed and strength while striving for further improvement.”

Francesco Bagnaia is strategizing his return to the pinnacle of MotoGP after losing his World Champion title to Jorge Martin the previous weekend.

In 2024, Bagnaia secured victories in 11 races held on Sundays, a feat that elevated him into the top 10 of the all-time winners in the premier class of Grand Prix racing. However, the Italian racer shows little interest in reveling in these statistics, focusing instead on continuing to increase his win count.

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"Frankly, I haven't reached a stage in my professional journey where I'm interested in looking at those statistics," Bagnaia commented following the previous weekend’s Solidarity Grand Prix.

"As a relatively inexperienced rider, I believe I have around eight to ten years ahead to further my career. My goal is to push myself to the limits, maintain my speed and strength, and strive for continuous improvement."

"Securing more championship victories is my primary goal, and I'm committed to making it happen."

Bagnaia noted that, despite not clinching the title in 2024, the year remained significant for him.

"I don't view [2024] as a defeat in the true sense since I take lessons from my errors—I understand that our loss in the championship was due to those mistakes, and this is an area I plan to work on," he expressed.

Additionally, examining Marc's record, he secured consecutive championships twice, experienced a defeat in 2015, and subsequently achieved four successive victories.

"Therefore, it's uncertain, but I will make every effort to reach the highest possible achievement once more."

To regain his position at the pinnacle and recapture the #1 title he secured in the previous two years, Bagnaia needs to reflect on the errors he committed in 2024 that led to his loss of the championship.

"Bagnaia noted, "My initial task is to gain a deeper comprehension of the circumstances, given it's accurate to say that three of those eight zeros stemmed from peculiar scenarios."

"The incident in Portimao involving Marc, the event in Jerez with Brad [Binder], and the situation with Alex Marquez in Aragon."

"Thus, I believe that in all three instances — indeed, I have been knocked off by other competitors, but each situation might have been something I could have sidestepped."

"Regarding Marc, perhaps it's wise to hold off for a while, though he's quicker, so consider pausing and not overstepping. I mention this, yet when I'm in a race, my aim is always to finish as ahead as possible; however, I'm thinking of working on this aspect for the coming year."

"In the incident involving Alex Marquez, I was definitely quicker by four tenths of a second, and I seized the opportunity when he veered off course. I thought, 'This is my chance,' but then we collided, causing me to crash. A similar situation happened with Brad.

"Therefore, I believe it's crucial for me to glean lessons from my errors. Analyzing the mistakes made by others proved to be more challenging since my approach didn't vary much, aside from a slight decrease in speed, yet the outcome was the same with me crashing."

"Thus, analyzing them is harder, yet when it comes to recognizing my errors, it becomes simpler to grasp and comprehend."

The ex-World Champion mentioned that his accident during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, along with his mishaps in both the Malaysian and Catalan Sprints, represented his most significant blunders throughout the season.

"He mentioned that the incident at Misano [Emilia-Romagna] was particularly bad, as he was on track to comfortably secure a third-place finish."

"Honestly, the incident in Malaysia is harder to come to terms with because I didn't do anything incorrect: my entry was slower, and perhaps that contributed to the crash, but this incident is the toughest to acknowledge, similar to the situation here in Catalunya during the Sprint."

Bagnaia mentioned that, apart from his clear errors, he faced additional challenges at the beginning of the season due to a lack of comfort with the Desmosedici.

"He mentioned that the most challenging aspect of the season, aside from the errors, was the initial phase. This was due to his decision to equip the motorcycle with new components, specifically the new forks and swingarm, which resulted in lost time."

"Indeed, I secured a victory in Qatar, but until we reached Jerez, I found it challenging to increase my speed. Portimao, typically a track where I perform well, presented significant difficulties in terms of speed, and Austin proved to be a difficult race.

"Thus, my spirits were low, but the moment we opted to revert to my usual configuration, I began to feel quicker and more powerful. From that point on, things improved significantly."

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

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Ducati Targets 2025 for On-Track Introduction of Its 2027 MotoGP Prototype

Gigi Dall'Igna Reveals Anticipated Debut Timeline for the '27 Ducati Model

Gigi Dall’Igna anticipates the debut of the 2027 Ducati MotoGP prototype on the circuit "next year".

In 2027, MotoGP motorcycles will experience their most significant transformation since the shift to 1000cc engines in 2012.

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MotoGP is set to transition to a new 850cc four-stroke engine configuration, significantly reducing aerodynamic elements and completely banning the use of ride height adjustment mechanisms.

Despite other manufacturers being tight-lipped about their 2027 development strategies, Ducati's general manager has shared a hint about the timeline for their first prototypes to hit the track.

"Dall'Igna mentioned that they are addressing the matter, speaking ahead of the Barcelona trial concerning the 2027 rules."

"We're exploring fresh concepts at the moment. The work is in progress. Pinning down a timeline is challenging at this stage. Currently, we're in the ideation phase. However, I'm confident that by next year, we'll have something concrete."

Under the new regulatory changes set for 2027, manufacturers without concessions will face a mandatory freeze on engine development at the beginning of the 2025 season.

This places increased focus on Ducati's off-season development efforts for 2025, aiming to maintain its leading status in the championship.

In 2024, Ducati overwhelmingly led the season, securing victories in 19 out of 20 grand prix races and clinching the first four positions in the riders' championship standings.

In response to inquiries about whether Ducati's supremacy could decline before 2027 due to the impending halt in engine development, Dall'Igna stated, "I'm uncertain. The upcoming season is an entirely fresh chapter.

"Thus, the producers currently facing challenges have the opportunity to leap ahead. It's unpredictable."

"Thus, the key is to concentrate on the challenges that need to be addressed and work towards advancing the bike's development as much as we can. This is our responsibility and what we must undertake."

According to the existing concession regulations, Ducati faces the most limitations due to its position in the competitive hierarchy.

In addition to adhering to a halt in engine advancements starting next year, a rule that KTM and Aprilia will also follow, Ducati will also be restricted from entering any wildcard entries and will have a reduced allocation of tires for testing purposes.

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George Russell: F1 Competitors Growing Tired of FIA

"Currently, there hasn't been a reaction, which I find somewhat unexpected, but perhaps there's more to unfold."

George Russell has verified that there has been no reply from the FIA to the statement issued by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association concerning misconduct among F1 drivers.

At the beginning of this month, the GPDA shared an extensive message through their newly established Instagram profile, discussing various topics.

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The correspondence highlighted concerns about the use of profanity, an issue that has resulted in fines for Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, and additionally urged FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to reflect on his choice of words and overall communication style.

The FIA has experienced a chaotic period recently, leading to the substitution of F1 race director Niels Wittich with Rui Marques for the season's last three races.

During the FIA media briefing in Las Vegas before the upcoming weekend's race, Russell, the GPDA chair, was queried about whether the FIA had reached out after the previously mentioned declaration.

"Currently, there's nothing," Russell remarked. "I find it somewhat surprising, but perhaps something will emerge in the future. It's uncertain."

The letter also touched upon the topic of penalties.

Russell believes that it's not clear how the funds collected from fines by the FIA are utilized.

"Russell pointed out that a few years back, during the FIA presidential elections, there was a lot of discussion around transparency, particularly regarding how funds would be redirected towards grassroots racing, something he and others greatly support."

Regarding the imposition of hefty penalties, it's clear that several of the established racers have the financial means to easily cope with these fines. Conversely, for the newcomers in the racing scene, facing a fine of $1 million could be financially crippling.

"We're seeking clarity and insight into the allocation of funds, specifically if they're being channeled into grassroots initiatives or training schemes. Our aim is to ensure the original promises made are being fulfilled transparentally."

"Dissatisfied with the circumstances" 

In the interim between Brazil and Vegas, the FIA witnessed yet another exit with Paolo Basarri stepping down from his role as compliance officer.

Russell acknowledged that the FIA is "evidently not the most secure environment" and that numerous drivers are "likely tired of the circumstances."

"He acknowledged that everyone is putting in their maximum effort to achieve the best results possible. He also mentioned that there's a considerable amount of ongoing change within the FIA, making it a somewhat unstable environment. This instability could be the reason why it's been difficult to enact some of the desired changes."

Naturally, each person has their unique perspective on the matter. As mentioned earlier, our trust might grow if we perceive that our voices are heard and some of the modifications we're suggesting are adopted. After all, our sole intention behind these actions is to enhance the sport.

"Many drivers are likely frustrated with the current circumstances, which appear to be increasingly moving in an unfavorable direction."

Connor, with his keen insight into F1's debates and narratives, is the core of our impartial journalism.

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Lando Norris concedes he 'wasn't prepared' to battle Max Verstappen for the F1 championship

Lando Norris looks back on his initial challenge for the F1 championship against Max Verstappen.

Lando Norris has admitted that he wasn't fully prepared to directly compete with Max Verstappen for the F1 championship at the season's outset.

Following an initial period of sluggish performance, Norris emerged as Verstappen's closest competitor as the season progressed.

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After the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, there was only a 52-point difference between the two competitors.

From that moment on, McLaren has been outperforming Red Bull, but Verstappen has managed to increase his lead to 62 points, positioning himself on the verge of clinching the F1 championship.

Verstappen has the chance to clinch this year's championship by finishing in front of Norris in the upcoming F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend.

During the pre-race FIA press briefing, Norris shared his thoughts on the current season, stating, "Certainly, entering a season with the ambition of winning is a completely different mindset compared to what we've had this year. The narrative has changed as the season progressed.

At the onset, we were significantly behind the leading pack, finding ourselves in third or fourth place, essentially the best team at the start of the year. This position was maintained for a considerable duration. Red Bull showcased a level of dominance unparalleled by any other team throughout the year. While we have demonstrated remarkable speed and have often been among the fastest, our advantage over others has been by a far narrower margin. Hence, replicating the substantial lead that Red Bull established early in the year has been virtually impossible.

"I believe I've performed well overall, yet it's evident… My commitment is to always provide a truthful assessment of my performance, whether it was good, poor, or how we fared as a team. I acknowledge that there have been numerous occasions, quite a few in fact, where our performance didn't meet the necessary standard as a collective. Take Silverstone, for instance, that was a race where we ideally should have secured the top two spots. Instead, we ended up as far away from that outcome as possible."

Norris believes he was initially unprepared to challenge Verstappen at the season's beginning, but the 25-year-old now feels he's approaching the performance level necessary to compete with the Red Bull racer.

Norris acknowledged that there have been moments when the team didn't reach the expected performance of a world championship caliber, but also admitted that he himself has failed to deliver performances necessary to clinch a championship at times.

"I likely wasn't fully prepared to compete against Red Bull and Max initially. Now, I believe I am, though it might be too late for that opportunity."

Norris recognized the difficulty in competing with a racer like Verstappen, praising him as “one of the greatest drivers to ever compete in Formula 1”.

"He suggested that there might have been other racers in history who were prepared for a similar challenge," he clarified. "However, no one has faced Max at such an early stage of their career, particularly mid-season, and managed to hold their own quite effectively. Essentially, I'm the only one in this position, right? Hence, I've given it my all. Yet, it hasn't been sufficient."

"I've consistently acknowledged that fact. In my opinion, Max stands out as potentially the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, and it's unlikely that we'll ever see a talent surpassing Max in the sport again."

"I hold this view strongly because it aligns with my beliefs. To challenge someone I deeply respect and know to be incredibly talented requires more than my current season's achievements. However, I feel that my performance post-summer break is moving towards what I need. I believe this progress puts me in a position where I could realistically contend next year."

Connor, with his keen insight into F1's dramas and narratives, is the core of our impartial coverage.

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Lewis Hamilton reveals he had doubts about returning following a challenging weekend in Brazil

In the aftermath of a tough race in Brazil, Lewis Hamilton clarifies his initial remarks and addresses Toto Wolff's comments.

Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged that he felt a strong urge to part ways with Mercedes "in that instant" following a disheartening weekend at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Having only secured a single point throughout both the sprint and grand prix during a notably dismal weekend in Brazil, the seven-time world champion Hamilton seemed to suggest through the team radio that this might be his "final occasion" racing for Mercedes. Following the event, Hamilton expressed to Sky Sports F1 his anticipation for the Christmas season.

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Mercedes tried to minimize the impact of what Hamilton said following the race, but the 39-year-old British driver has since made it clear that in the immediate aftermath, he "truly had no desire to return."

"Essentially, that was my state of mind at the time; I wasn't inclined to return following that weekend," he shared with journalists, Sky Sports F1 among them, before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

"However, I believe that's to be expected. It's aggravating to experience a season such as this, which I'm fairly confident won't recur, or at least I'll strive to ensure it doesn't."

"At the time, it didn't feel wonderful, but now I'm present, resilient, and fully committed to putting my all into the remaining races."

Wolff Claims His Remarks on Hamilton Were Misinterpreted

Toto Wolff, the head of the Mercedes racing team, clarified that his statements regarding Hamilton's impending departure from Mercedes to join Ferrari, specifically about Hamilton's "shelf-life," were somewhat misconstrued, as mentioned in a recent publication.

Approaching the conclusion of a challenging season where he successfully secured two wins, Hamilton emphasized that he doesn't believe he has anything to prove to Wolff.

"Being present and standing firm makes me feel powerful. I've been training effectively and I'm in excellent shape," he shared with Sky Sports F1.

Truthfully, I'm in the most positive mental state I've experienced throughout the year, and given the challenges of the previous race, I believe that speaks volumes.

I have extensive experience in this field and have heard numerous comments directed at me over the years, including various subtle forms of discrimination. This, of course, excludes my boss, who has always stood by me, helping us accomplish great things together. However, broadly speaking, within the media landscape and beyond, I've faced it all, yet nothing has been able to defeat me.

"I remain committed and determined to keep striving forward. I have a team that I truly adore, and despite my upcoming departure, I aim to deliver my utmost in the forthcoming races."

"If they offer a vehicle that aims to maintain its course, then, with any luck, we'll achieve a more favorable outcome."

Lewis frequently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. He typically provides on-site reports, sharing narratives about the key figures in the sport.

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Yuki Tsunoda faced the threat of being deported following a Customs issue when he arrived in the United States for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as disclosed by the RB F1 racer himself.

Yuki Tsunoda feared he might not be allowed into the United States for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix due to a difficult situation with Customs.

The driver from Japan, competing in RB, mentioned that upon his arrival in the United States for the upcoming race in Las Vegas this weekend, he was subjected to additional scrutiny by Border Control, which raised concerns for him about the risk of being deported.

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"Thankfully, after several, actually quite a few, conversations, I was allowed entry," Tsunoda shared with journalists in Las Vegas.

"I almost had to return home. Thankfully, everything's fine now, but yes, I'm fortunate to be here. I have a physiotherapist who accompanies me on trips. Naturally, when passing through customs, you proceed one at a time, correct?

"Suddenly, the official ushered me into a room. During our conversation, I found myself asking if I could invite the individual I was planning to travel with, thinking they might assist in shedding more light on my background and the context surrounding Formula 1."

"However, bringing them in or making any calls was not permitted. I had hoped to contact the team or possibly reach out to F1 for assistance. Yet, in that space, you're rendered powerless to act."

Tsunoda was taken aback by the unexpected event, given that he had verified his visas were in order and had encountered no issues on his earlier trips to America throughout the year.

"He detailed how he had arranged all the necessary visa paperwork. "It's quite disappointing," he remarked. "Previously, the last three times went without a hitch, so being halted for an in-depth conversation this time around was unexpected."

The 24-year-old believes his attire might have caused the authorities to question whether he was indeed an F1 racer.

"Perhaps I had on pyjamas, and the color resembled something… I'm not sure. It just seemed like there was a lot of pressure coming from them, and I found myself unable to speak up," he expressed.

"Alternatively, expressing myself seems to land me in deeper trouble. Fortunately, my experience was hassle-free."

Lewis consistently covers Grands Prix worldwide for Crash.net. Frequently delivering reports directly from the events, he narrates the tales of the key figures in the sport.

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Sergio Perez disapproves of his dad's anti-gay comments directed at former F1 racer Ralf Schumacher, labeling it an "error".

Sergio Perez has voiced his disapproval of his father Antonio Perez Garibay's homophobic comments directed at former F1 racer Ralf Schumacher.

Schumacher, active in Formula 1 racing between 1997 and 2007, disclosed earlier this summer that he is in a relationship with a person of the same sex. The sibling of Michael, a seven-time world champion, was met with a wave of support for his choice to openly identify as gay, with notable backing from Lewis Hamilton.

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In reaction to the remarks made by the Grand Prix champion, now commentator, regarding Perez's prospects at Red Bull, Perez Garibay seemed to mock Schumacher's sexual orientation.

A former Formula 1 driver, who transitioned into journalism, initially reported that Checo had parted ways with Red Bull. The subsequent week, "Schumacher revealed his personal truth," Perez Garibay reportedly shared with Mexican news outlets.

"It's unclear if he harbored romantic feelings for Checo. Can you grasp that concept? There's a lot of peculiarities surrounding him. It's become difficult to discern his true identity, whether he's a reporter, a woman, or a man. However, his viewpoint is irrelevant, not due to anything related to Checo Perez, but rather because of the statements made by his former spouse about him."

Perez was questioned on whether he planned to discuss his father's remarks prior to the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend.

"Absolutely. To begin with, I don't support any of his statements," Perez shared with Sky Sports F1.

"In my opinion, he made an error in judgment. While I don't agree with his opinions, I also recognize that I can't dictate what my father expresses. My influence is limited to my own statements.

"In my view, it's crucial for the sport to demonstrate that anything that occurs during the race stays within the confines of the race. We ought to consistently set a positive example for the global community."

Schumacher made it clear that he harbors no resentment towards Perez's father despite his comments.

"In a post on social media, he expressed unwavering support for his son, saying, "As a father, it's my duty to back him completely and offer assistance."

"In terms of approach, I intended to stand out, yet we're all familiar with Mr. Perez and his passionate nature. That's the reason I hold no resentment towards him. Nonetheless, I'm of the opinion that performance on the track should speak louder than anything else."

Lewis frequently travels the globe to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. By reporting directly from the events, Lewis shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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Max Verstappen expressed astonishment over the abrupt change in F1 race director, following the decision to replace Niels Wittich.

Max Verstappen has shared his astonishment regarding the unexpected exit of F1 race director Niels Wittich.

The FIA, which oversees Formula 1, disclosed that Wittich had immediately vacated his position just before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, explaining that the departure was motivated by the German's desire to explore new career paths.

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However, Wittich asserted that his departure was not of his own accord, but rather he was dismissed with three races remaining. Taking over his position is Rui Marques, the race director for both Formula 2 and Formula 3.

The announcement from the FIA caught F1 racers off guard, among them the thrice-crowned champion Verstappen, who shared his astonishment with Sky Sports F1, stating, “I believe it was unexpected for everyone to witness this with only three races remaining. However, inquiries should be directed toward the FIA.”

After the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Drivers' Association issued a declaration requesting the FIA to interact with its members "as adults" and for its President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to "reflect on his own manner of speaking and choice of words when addressing our member drivers, or when speaking about them."

Verstappen, aiming to secure his fourth straight world championship title this weekend in Las Vegas, is eager for advancements to happen sooner rather than later.

"Verstappen stated, 'Our intention was to dispatch a letter to ensure all parties are informed of our issues and objectives, and we'll observe the outcomes that arise from this.'"

"Currently, no developments have occurred. It seems there were already numerous issues that the FIA was handling. Moving forward, we'll observe the upcoming races and continue our dialogue with them to determine our next steps."

During the press conference before the event, GPDA director George Russell mentioned that the FIA has not yet replied to their letter, expressing that the drivers are somewhat frustrated with the ongoing situation.

"He mentioned that initiating change or ensuring commitments are met appears somewhat more difficult," he stated. "Perhaps the FIA or its president didn't fully understand the depth of our concerns."

Throughout the span of 20 races this year and the previous one, we've had discussions on a variety of issues, and there's a consensus among all the drivers. We have a clear understanding of our desires for the future of the sport and the current trajectory it's on. We believe it's necessary to make some adjustments on several fronts and are eager to collaborate with the FIA to achieve these changes.

"We believe that this has not occurred at all with the president."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. By reporting firsthand, Lewis shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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McLaren to Reverse Team Strategy Following Lando Norris's Decline in F1 Championship Race

Following the dimming of Lando Norris's prospects for the F1 championship, McLaren plans to adjust their approach regarding team directives.

Oscar Piastri has noted that McLaren has shifted its position on implementing team directives, given that Lando Norris's prospects for winning the F1 championship are essentially diminished.

Norris's hopes for clinching the world championship title this year took a significant hit when he fell from first to sixth place at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, while his competitor for the title, Max Verstappen, pulled off an impressive comeback to win from 17th position.

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The outcome led to Verstappen widening his lead in the championship to 62 points with only three races left, virtually eliminating Norris's chances of securing his inaugural drivers' championship this season.

Verstappen is set to clinch the world championship title at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, provided he maintains a lead of 60 points or more following the event.

Norris's diminishing prospects for the championship have led McLaren to decide that Piastri, who conceded the sprint victory to Norris in Brazil, will not be required to act as a support player any longer.

When questioned about whether he would be on the same level as Norris again, Piastri responded to journalists in Las Vegas by saying, “Essentially, yes.

"In certain, quite particular cases, there may be a need for my assistance. However, for the vast majority of instances, things have returned to their usual state."

"The race for the drivers' title remains tightly contested, and the battle for the constructors' championship is still very much alive for us."

"Without a doubt, nothing is finalized yet, which is the most crucial aspect. Therefore, there are only a handful of particular situations where I might continue to assist if needed. However, my primary focus this weekend is on securing a victory."

McLaren is ahead of Ferrari by a 36-point margin in the constructors' standings, with Red Bull trailing by an additional 49 points in third place.

Piastri expressed contentment in assisting Norris but emphasized his desire to avoid repeating this subordinate role in the upcoming season.

"Truthfully, letting go of that didn't really bother me much," added the person from Australia.

Naturally, I would have been thrilled to win the sprint, but it's a completely different situation compared to a grand prix.

"I demonstrated what I aimed to demonstrate, specifically earning the pole position, and that was solely for my own satisfaction.

Securing the first position for the sprint race, even though emerging victorious in the sprint would have been great, earning the pole position was likely the more gratifying experience for me.

"I was confident in my actions during the sprint, and that's beneficial for me."

"I'm glad we no longer need to delve into those matters as much, and clearly, for next year, my goal is to avoid being in such a situation regarding the championship standings that would make me vulnerable to that.

"In truth, my assistance was likely only necessary during that one instance in Brazil, and that's all. Thus, there has been much discussion with little actual involvement on the track."

Lewis consistently covers Grands Prix globally for Crash.net. Reporting directly from the events, he shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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Ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, leading Formula 1 teams Red Bull and Ferrari have reportedly made adjustments to their vehicles in response to tighter regulations from the FIA on skid blocks.

Sources indicate that Red Bull and Ferrari are some of the teams required to modify their Formula 1 vehicles for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in response to the most recent enforcement actions by the FIA.

The FIA, Formula 1's regulatory authority, has released a technical directive that takes effect immediately. This directive, announced just before the upcoming Las Vegas race weekend, aims to close a loophole that teams could use to address issues related to plank wear.

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Initially disclosed by the German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, the technical directive from the FIA will ban teams from employing "unique protective plates that approximately half of the teams had implemented" on the skid blocks.

Motorsport and The Race have both covered the FIA's enforcement measures, with The Race mentioning that Ferrari and Red Bull are among the teams impacted. According to their coverage, it's believed that "at least half of the teams have responded to the situation".

The Race reports that Ferrari has adjusted their vehicle, and Red Bull has made slight modifications following the FIA's technical directive.

Reports suggest that Red Bull raised issues with the FIA following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. While there was no immediate suggestion of any rules being broken, the F1 authority has acted to close any potential loopholes in the rules that could be taken advantage of.

Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari were both barred from the previous year's United States Grand Prix following post-race inspections which revealed their vehicles had surpassed the permitted levels of plank wear.

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix globally for Crash.net. Typically providing firsthand reports from the events, Lewis shares the narratives of significant individuals within the sport.

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Joan Mir Criticizes Honda MotoGP Test as 'Unproductive': 'Our Expectations Were Much Higher'

The 2020 world champion expressed disappointment over the limited updates during the Barcelona test.

Joan Mir expressed that the Barcelona MotoGP test on Tuesday "wasn't a fruitful day" for either him or Honda, as "all the things we tested were things we had already tested previously."

Last weekend, at the Solidarity Grand Prix, Honda wrapped up its most challenging season in MotoGP history, finishing at the bottom of the constructors' standings with only 75 points.

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Although the company has leveraged its role as a concession manufacturer to advance its RC213V, especially in the final stages of the season with the launch of a new aerodynamic package that enhanced cornering, it remains distant from competing for a podium finish.

During the official testing session following the San Marino Grand Prix, Honda introduced new components, such as aerodynamic upgrades, which contributed to an improvement in their performance.

During the Barcelona test this week, Mir completed 67 laps and finished in 15th place. However, he was disappointed because he believed there was a scarcity of new components to work with.

"I’m not satisfied. Today didn't go well in terms of getting things done," he remarked.

"We attempted strategies we've used previously. We didn't have any new improvements to increase our speed."

"We had been using our usual package along with one from the past that was ineffective."

"You can probably understand that the day didn't go as planned. I'm just hoping that we'll get more updates next week in Jerez."

In response to a question from Crash.net about whether Honda was putting in sufficient effort, he said, "I initially believed so, but in truth, our expectations were significantly higher."

Mir states that Honda informed him that the reason he had no new components to test was due to "the timing; they weren't able to produce it in time."

The world champion from 2020 emphasized that the post-season test is a crucial event of the year, which Honda has now missed as an opportunity to unveil a new motorcycle.

He mentioned that significant moments throughout the year include the Misano test, where they obtained some effective aerodynamics and a new engine setup.

"The final test of the season, whether it takes place in Valencia or, as in this instance, Barcelona, holds significant importance."

"In the past, it was common to spot two bikes from Honda among the manufacturers, and usually, a new bike would also be introduced. We didn't receive it this time. I am hopeful that we will receive it soon."

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