Valentino Rossi recounts a memorable interaction with Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari pit.

MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi has reminisced about a time he met Michael Schumacher while doing test drives for Ferrari in the mid-2000s.

The nine-time Motorbike champion has repeatedly tested Formula 1 equipment throughout the years.

His most notorious race with the Scuderia took place in Valencia in 2006.

The Italian's display was so remarkable that it sparked ideas of him possibly transitioning from MotoGP to F1.

Rossi continued competing in MotoGP, securing an additional two championships in the following years.

During a conversation with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Rossi shared his experience of meeting Schumacher, revealing he was extremely anxious before the meeting.

Rossi disclosed his support for Jacques Villeneuve, presumably during the 1997 Formula 1 season, as the Canadian was in a direct competition with Schumacher for the championship.

"He shared that he holds cherished memories of Schumi."

People were aware that, in the past, I had placed a wager on Jacques Villeneuve, thus effectively betting against him.

Therefore, as we ended up in the garage, I felt somewhat uneasy.

"Now when he gazes my way, he probably sees me as a fool… But contrary to that, he was incredibly gracious, offering me plenty of guidance. Truly a wonderful person."

Rossi experienced multiple Ferrari F1 test drives, primarily out of passion rather than any serious intent to transition from motorcycles.

In 2004, he had his initial encounter with Formula 1 equipment and even donned an extra helmet that belonged to Schumacher.

A year after his previous outing, Rossi was given another opportunity to test his skills, this occasion being a trial run at Fiorano.

Nonetheless, his performance in the 2006 trial stood out remarkably, prompting Ferrari President Luca di Montezemelo to propose that, should regulations permit, Rossi would be given the opportunity to race in a third car for the team.

In the 2006 event held at Valencia, Rossi finished with a lap time only 0.7 seconds slower than Schumacher, although there are some nuances to consider.

Rossi was behind the wheel of an adjusted 2004 model car equipped with a less powerful V10 engine, while Schumacher piloted the latest F248F1 (2006) vehicle that featured a V8 engine.

Rossi continued to captivate Ferrari, with later assertions that he had the potential to race in F1.

One option involved starting off by racing with the smaller team Minardi to accumulate experience prior to progressing up the ranks to join Ferrari.

In 2008, Rossi was given another opportunity to conduct a test drive for Ferrari, taking the wheel of the vehicle that had come close to winning the F1 drivers’ championship, ultimately losing to Lewis Hamilton.

On this occasion, it served as an opportunity to honor the achievements of both a companion and their group.

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F1 2025 Race Schedule Released: The Start Times for Each Grand Prix

The unveiling of the start times for every Grand Prix in the F1 2025 season.

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

The FIA has announced the schedule for all the sessions of the forthcoming 24-race Formula 1 season, a little more than a month ahead of the first race, the Australian Grand Prix, which is set for March 16.

A significant adjustment has been made to the schedule of the Las Vegas Grand Prix this year, moving it up by two hours due to scheduling concerns.

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

The inaugural races of the Las Vegas Grand Prix kicked off at 10pm local time, corresponding to 6am in the UK, for the initial two years of its agreement.

Following raised worries regarding the event's timing and the effect of jet lag on F1 staff, alterations have been implemented for 2025.

The qualifying rounds and the race are now scheduled for 8pm (4am UK time) on both Friday and Saturday.

"The modification is a result of observations, input, and knowledge gained from the initial two races, aiming to broaden the chances for enthusiasts to discover the location while increasing interactions with a wider fan base throughout the US," said a declaration from the Las Vegas event planners.

For enthusiasts of Formula 1 in the UK, the British Grand Prix taking place at Silverstone is scheduled to begin at 3pm.

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Schedule for F1 2025 Races

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Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Showcase New Ferrari-Puma Outfit for 2025 F1 Season

Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc models the 2025 F1 attire for the Ferrari team.

Ferrari has unveiled the latest team attire that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will sport throughout the 2025 Formula 1 campaign.

On Tuesday, Ferrari unveiled their latest team attire that drivers Hamilton and Leclerc will sport during the forthcoming season at the circuit, aside from their racing gear.

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

Hamilton and Leclerc, now team members, once more took part in a photo shoot wearing their team's gear, which is designed by Puma.

The modern design showcases the latest Ferrari sponsor, UniCredit, a collaboration that was unveiled at the beginning of the year.

Meet the latest Team Kit for 2025! 😍 pic.twitter.com/0YUfhj3BQ4— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 4, 2025

In 2025, the formidable duo of Hamilton, who has clinched the world championship seven times, and Leclerc, with eight grand prix victories under his belt, is set to be one of the most competitive pairings in the racing lineup.

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

Over the last two weeks, the duo has participated in confidential trials for Ferrari, operating a 2023 vehicle at both Fiorano and Barcelona.

Hamilton and Leclerc are set to take turns behind the wheel of an updated 2024 Ferrari during a Pirelli 2026 tyre evaluation scheduled for February 4-5 at the circuit hosting the Spanish Grand Prix.

Ferrari is set to unveil their 2025 racing colors during the F1-75 season kick-off on February 18, at the O2 Arena in London.

On the subsequent day, Scuderia is set to reveal their 2025 contender, named the SF-25, in Maranello, ahead of the F1 pre-season trials scheduled for February 26-28.

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Unveiled: The Race Engineer for Liam Lawson at Red Bull in 2025 F1 Season Announced

The individual who will serve as Liam Lawson's race engineer during his debut F1 season with Red Bull has now been officially confirmed.

Liam Lawson's debut season in F1 with Red Bull will see him paired with a newly appointed race engineer.

In 2025, Richard Wood will serve as the guiding voice for Lawson during his inaugural racing season with the senior Red Bull team.

Sergio Perez previously worked with a performance engineer named Wood. He's seasoned in the position, stepping in for Perez's usual race engineer, Hugh Bird, during his paternity leave the previous year.

Lawson has advanced to Red Bull, following his participation in 11 Grand Prix races across two seasons with the affiliated team Racing Bulls. He was chosen for the promotion ahead of his ex-teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

The 22-year-old individual from New Zealand was chosen by Red Bull to take over Perez's position after the Mexican had a disappointing 2024 season.

Red Bull dropped to third in the team standings, primarily because Perez didn't perform as well as his teammate Max Verstappen, who secured his fourth consecutive championship title.

Gianpiero Lambiase is set to continue as Verstappen's race engineer while also embracing an expanded position as the head of racing.

This is a component of Red Bull's organizational overhaul following Jonathan Wheatley stepping down from his role as sporting director.

Wheatley, departing to take up the role of team principal at Sauber starting April 1, 2025, will not have a direct successor at Red Bull.

Christian Horner, the team principal for Red Bull, has emphasized the need to avoid overwhelming Lawson with pressure as he approaches his debut season with the squad.

Horner mentioned that Red Bull plans to gradually introduce Lawson, who faces the formidable challenge of competing against Verstappen, a four-time world champion.

"Horner mentioned at the Autosport Awards that they have made a significant effort to avoid putting any pressure on him up to this point, allowing him to gradually adjust."

"Currently, he's in the United States. He's scheduled to return to the simulator next week. So far, he's performing well, and we're making efforts to introduce him to the process smoothly."

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Lewis Hamilton faces a potential challenge with Ferrari's team dynamics

Lewis Hamilton has received advice that it's crucial for him to quickly adapt to his role within the Ferrari F1 team.

It is said that Lewis Hamilton will face instant pressure to quickly excel as he begins his tenure with Ferrari in Formula 1.

The seven-time world champion has made a headline-grabbing move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, leaving Mercedes after a 12-year stint with the team. The F1 community has been abuzz since Hamilton's transfer was revealed a year ago, and with his Ferrari debut just a month away, the sense of excitement and anticipation is growing.

Presently, Hamilton is experiencing a favorable beginning phase with Ferrari, yet Italian media indicate that he faces immediate expectations to match the performance of his new colleague, Charles Leclerc, right from the start.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, might be prepared to enforce team orders soon to help the Scuderia secure their first world title in 16 years.

Having narrowly lost the constructors' championship to McLaren by a mere 14 points last season, Ferrari is resolute in their ambition to secure their first world title since 2008 in this year's competition.

According to a recent analysis from La Gazzetta, the initial competitions of 2025 are projected to be crucial in setting up a fresh pecking order within the team.

"The report states that either of the drivers could take the lead position, and their performance outcomes will determine which one will be the key contender for the world championship title."

Hamilton's entry, marked by his expertise, magnetic personality, and seven titles, has shifted the dynamics from the period when Carlos Sainz, who was more similar in age, esteem, and "rank" to Leclerc, was present.

"Leclerc, who now won't automatically assume the position of Ferrari's team leader, will instead have to prove his worth on the track."

"Thus, beginning strongly is key for both Hamilton and Leclerc, who are optimistic about the new Ferrari's ability to compete with McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes."

The report ends with the suggestion that Vasseur might have to decide early in the championship which driver to support fully.

"Zero tolerance" for Hamilton

Sky Sports F1 expert and color commentator Martin Brundle believes Hamilton must quickly find his pace, ideally within "two or three races".

"Brundle mentioned on Sky Sports News that it's essential for him to leverage his experience."

"At this stage, everyone, including newcomers, is expected to perform without exceptions. However, one might consider giving newcomers a grace period of up to half a season to fully adjust.

"Truthfully, it's anticipated that someone of Lewis's caliber would have mastered both his interactions with his team and his control of the vehicle in just two or three races."

Brundle emphasized that one should always regard Hamilton with high respect and is confident that the 40-year-old British driver possesses the necessary skills to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship with Ferrari.

"Brundle emphasized that if Ferrari provides a car capable of winning races or securing the championship, then Lewis has the potential to triumph in races and possibly clinch the championship."

"I believe the pace exists. Regarding whether Lewis Hamilton's prime years are still to come or have already passed, my belief is that they are in the past."

"I believe age has dulled him slightly, which is natural. Now, he might find himself in tussles he previously would have navigated successfully, but doesn't manage to anymore, or he may slip up during qualifying. However, I still reckon that Lewis Hamilton operating at 96-97% of his capacity in a competitive vehicle is more than capable of securing victories."

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The decision to move the start time of the Las Vegas Grand Prix up by two hours is a sensible one, despite it being unfavorable for fans in the UK.

The beginning of the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2025 has been moved up by two hours.

This spells trouble for fans in the UK and Europe, who will have to wake up significantly earlier to watch the events happening in Vegas.

The latest Formula 1 race to be introduced in the United States is now scheduled to start at 8pm local time on Saturday, November 22. Consequently, for those watching from the UK, the race will commence at 4am on Sunday.

Similarly, the qualifying round is set to commence at 8pm local time on Friday evening, which corresponds to 4am on Saturday morning for those in the UK

The initial track sessions on Friday and Saturday, known as FP1 and FP3, are scheduled to begin at 12:30 am UK time.

In a statement released by the organizers of the Las Vegas race, they clarified that the change was made in response to feedback and lessons learned from the initial two races. The goal is to enhance the experience for spectators, allowing them more time to discover what the location has to offer and to attract a broader audience within the United States.

The announcement may prompt sighs of disappointment among Formula 1 enthusiasts in the UK, who will inevitably find themselves short on sleep after staying up late to catch the action. Nonetheless, the decision makes sense for a variety of reasons.

A strategic decision for Formula 1

To begin with, the competition has been rescheduled to a more favorable time for audiences across the United States – a crucial aspect for Liberty Media, the American proprietor of F1, to take into account.

Red Bull's team leader, Christian Horner, had raised alarms over the timeline since the very first event.

"Initially, it's evident that there are numerous takeaways," he mentioned in 2023. "An aspect that demands attention is the hectic schedule, which has been extremely taxing for the team and everyone involved behind the scenes."

"Everyone is departing Las Vegas a bit worse for wear! In one way or another, it's been a tough weekend for those working behind the scenes, and I believe it's crucial we consider ways to better this situation moving forward."

Horner further suggested: "Perhaps scheduling it a bit earlier in the evening would be wise since it's impossible to fully satisfy every TV viewer.

"This is a race held in America. Holding it at 8pm or around that time would make it somewhat more bearable for the individuals working in the background."

An adjustment has been implemented for Las Vegas' comeback in 2024. The Friday and Saturday sessions have been advanced by two hours, improving the experience for attendees.

However, the remedy was far from ideal, as team personnel and racers struggled with jet lag while tackling a harsh triple-header at the year's end that included races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Previous year's champion, George Russell, notably grabbed a quick snooze before securing the top starting spot and elaborated on the unique challenge presented by Vegas.

"He highlighted the significant strain on the body due to the drastic change from Europe. Moreover, he mentioned the necessity to adjust again upon their return to Qatar the following week."

"Securing a full eight hours of rest is challenging when your schedule is irregular. For me, it's about catching sleep whenever possible. Thus, I grabbed a nap prior to the qualifying round. I woke up feeling somewhat groggy but managed to get myself into top form by the end of the qualifying session. It's quite tough, yet we're all facing the same situation."

Vegas is set to initiate Formula 1's most challenging trio of consecutive races once more, with the anticipation that moving the sessions to an earlier time will enhance the experience.

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Jean Todt expresses confusion, alleges Ferrari ignores him

Jean Todt alleges that Ferrari has ignored him since he stepped down as FIA president.

Ex-Ferrari F1 leader and previous FIA chief Jean Todt states that the team has repeatedly ignored him.

Todt served as the team principal of Ferrari from 1993 to 2004, and then took on the role of CEO for the following

He was pivotal in transforming the Scuderia's success and supervised the era of supremacy spearheaded by the legendary Michael Schumacher.

In 2009, Todt took on the role of president for the FIA, which oversees Formula 1, holding the position across three terms until 2021.

Jean Todt discusses his Ferrari connection

The former FIA president, a 78-year-old from France, mentions that he has not received any communication from Ferrari following his departure from the FIA, expressing his confusion over the matter.

"After my departure, I have communicated with a few team members, but after leaving the FIA, I haven't been in touch again," Todt revealed to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

I have to admit, I found myself quite baffled considering the extensive effort I put into this remarkable organization and the numerous accomplishments we attained.

Upon my arrival in 1993, I encountered a dilapidated castle on the premises, situated in England's design region, alongside an outdated and non-functional wind tunnel at the main office.

"Piece by piece, we crafted a masterpiece. On my own, I would have achieved nothing; my strength lay in assembling and nurturing a team over the years, transforming it into an exceptional group."

"The record of 14 championships continues to stand, marking the most triumphant era in Ferrari's history."

Ferrari aims to resume their victorious streak by 2025, seeking to conclude their hiatus from securing a world championship title.

The Italian team fell short of securing their first constructors' championship in 16 years last season, as McLaren outpaced them to claim the title by a margin of 14 points.

Ferrari is now considered to have potentially the most formidable pair of drivers in the upcoming season's lineup, thanks to the acquisition of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton is set to partner with Charles Leclerc in his quest to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship title in Formula 1 racing.

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Jorge Martin has been taken to the hospital for evaluation following a significant highside crash during the Sepang MotoGP Test. After two falls at the event, Martin is experiencing discomfort in his left foot and right hand.

Current MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin faced a disastrous beginning to the 2025 preseason tests as he experienced two highside crashes on his Aprilia within the first few hours at Sepang.

The incidents both happened at the narrow initial right-left sequence of turns.

The second highside occurred when Martin unexpectedly lost control of the rear of his RS-GP as he transitioned from a right to a left turn while approaching Turn 2.

As the tire caught traction, the Spaniard was launched into the air, hitting the ground heavily on his feet before falling face-first onto the asphalt.

The session was temporarily halted with a red flag as he was brought to the medical center. He is set to be moved to a nearby hospital for additional examinations.

Aprilia announced that Jorge Martin, following an accident at Turn 2, has been transported to the circuit's medical center. He will receive additional medical examinations, and we will provide an update once we have an official report on his condition.

A subsequent update stated: "Jorge will be transported to Aurelius Hospital in Nilai, which is 6 kilometers from the circuit, for medical evaluation. Currently, he is experiencing pain in his left foot and right hand."

Martin had finished only 13 laps and was positioned 21st when he experienced his second crash.

Fabio di Giannantonio, representing VR46, experienced a fall at the fifth turn but fortunately emerged without injury.

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Sauber to establish a British facility in preparation for Audi's Formula 1 entry

Sauber plans to establish a facility in the UK this year, in preparation for Audi's entry into Formula 1 in 2026.

The Switzerland-based team will transform into the Audi F1 factory team in the upcoming season as the German automotive heavyweight makes its official debut in the world championship.

Audi's impending entry has prompted Sauber to reveal plans for establishing a technology hub in the UK, aimed at widening its access to a larger base of engineering professionals.

Throughout their history in Formula 1, Sauber has maintained operations from their base in Hinwil, a municipality in Switzerland.

Audi's power unit division will expand its operations to include a facility in Neuburg, Germany, in addition to its existing site in Hinwil.

Furthermore, Sauber is set to establish a third site within the area famously referred to as the UK's 'motorsport valley'.

Sauber is considering several potential locations for their facility, which include Bicester, Silverstone, and Milton Keynes.

Sauber aims to have its technical center up and running in the UK by the summer of 2025.

"We are thrilled to announce the creation of our tech hub in the UK, which will serve as an addition to our primary location in Hinwil. This site will remain at the forefront of our engineering activities and witness the most significant expansion of our team," said Mattia Binotto, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber.

"Entering the UK market enables us to stay connected to one of the globe's most vibrant motorsport environments. We aim to establish a robust, cooperative framework between Hinwil and the UK, fostering innovation and enhancing performance."

In the 2024 constructors' championship, Sauber ended up at the bottom of the standings, having amassed a mere four points throughout the 24-race season.

Nico Hulkenberg is set to team up with Formula 2 champion and first-time Formula 1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto, creating Sauber's revamped driving duo for the 2025 season.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Test – Day 1: Live Coverage

Stay tuned for real-time updates from the first day of the 2025 Official MotoGP test at Sepang, happening on Wednesday. All MotoGP riders are hitting the track for the initial time this year, with the testing session scheduled from Wednesday through Friday.

Newcomers Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer, and Somkiat Chantra, along with Yamaha's factory test riders and permanent race riders, participated in a three-day Shakedown test at the Malaysian track over the weekend.

Apart from Chantra, the Honda racing team had other riders like Joan Mir, Luca Marini, and Johann Zarco, who were also allowed to participate in the shakedown. However, they chose not to join in.

The group, which includes current titleholder Jorge Martin and newcomer Marc Marquez from Ducati Lenovo, will be getting back on a MotoGP bike for the first time since their last ride in Barcelona in November.

There are only five days allocated for official pre-season testing before the 2025 MotoGP season kicks off in Thailand on February 28. These test sessions include three days at Sepang followed by two days at Buriram.

The testing sessions at Sepang are scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, with practice starts occurring afterward.

The second section of the initial series of sharp turns is a left-hand corner known as Turn 2.

Jorge Martin has experienced another crash, occurring this time at the second turn. The red flags have been raised.

Following an earlier crash, world champion Jorge Martin has returned to the race and is aiming to better his 21st position.

Franco Morbidelli tops the list with 22 laps completed, while Jack Miller and Pedro Acosta have each completed 18 laps.

To put it differently, it's essentially the entire distance of a grand prix, though it was divided into shorter segments earlier today.

It

Franco Morbidelli advances to 6th place, positioning himself between Marc Marquez and Fabio Quartararo.

Newcomer Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini remains the leading GP24 and Ducati competitor, securing the third position right behind the Pramac racers.

Lower in the rankings, Francesco Bagnaia currently occupies the 11th spot, while Jorge Martin, the Aprilia world champion, is in 21st place following his fall at Turn 1.

The present list of the leading ten:

Jack Miller, representing Pramac Yamaha

Miguel Oliveira, riding for Pramac Yamaha

Fermin Aldeguer, a member of the Gresini Ducati team

Alex Rins, representing Monster Yamaha

Marc Marquez (racing for Ducati Lenovo)

Fabio Quartararo, who races for Monster Yamaha

Pedro Acosta (KTM team backed by Red Bull)

Luca Marini, a rider for Honda Castrol

Augusto Fernandez, part of the Yamaha testing team

Alex Marquez, who rides for Gresini Ducati.

One of Alex Rins' bikes features a gleaming, unpainted chassis on the right, while the bike to the left, which is his regular model, sports the traditional black frame.

It's not unexpected since they have already spent two days at the Shakedown, but currently, all four Yamaha riders are among the top six performers.

At 11:20 AM, the Pramac Yamaha team is leading with a one-two finish. Jack Miller has reclaimed the top spot by clocking a time of 1 minute and 58.623 seconds, placing him 0.294 seconds ahead of his teammate, Miguel Oliveira.

This morning, Johann Zarco is taking his initial MotoGP laps of the year, similar to Marini and Mir, as he did not participate in the Shakedown.

The LCR racer has been testing two separate Honda bikes and is presently positioned in 12th place.

Pedro Acosta, now a rider for the new KTM factory team, advances to sixth position, trailing by 0.735 seconds, making him the fastest on an RC16.

The weather is creating an urgent situation in this area.

The sky is cloudy, the wind is strong, and the temperature is relatively cool for Sepang. Rain could start falling at any time.

The display indicates that current world champion Jorge Martin has had an accident at the first turn. The rider is unharmed.

Sepang MotoGP Official Test: Lap Times Recorded at 11am – Click Here

Marc Marquez did not enhance his performance in his second attempt, maintaining his position in 4th place with a gap of 0.327 seconds.

Luca Marini heads to the pit lane, maintaining his position in 6th place. Marini's bike features the updated paint scheme, but it includes the black rear seat unit from the prototype, which lacks any winglets and was previously utilized by Aleix Espargaro during the Shakedown.

Marc Marquez begins his second attempt.

This morning, the Factory Aprilia team shared insightful details about their upcoming plans.

– Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi will have access to three motorcycles each, making a total of six motorcycles in their garage.

– In the morning, the riders will begin with the initial RS-GP25 model that was trialed in Barcelona, followed by the RS-GP25 version that the Noale Racing Department subsequently refined.

– The main aim for today is to help the riders get accustomed to the bike, after which the focus will shift to optimizing both the mechanical and electronic setups. Throughout the day, they will also test new components that have been introduced across all areas.

– The testing plan for the upcoming days has already been established but will be adjusted based on the outcomes of today's activities.

The official test roster includes only two test riders: Andrea Dovizioso from Yamaha and Augusto Fernandez.

The additional test riders who were present at the Shakedown are not anticipated to come back.

This is yet another indication of the commitment Yamaha is demonstrating.

With slightly more than 30 minutes elapsed, Miguel Oliveira, who didn't make much of a splash on the timesheets during the Shakedown, has now placed his Pramac motorcycle in the leading position.

Newcomer Aldeguer holds the second position, while Alex Rins secures third place, and Marc Marquez, who is just beginning his initial laps of the year, finds himself in fourth.

Discussing the Yamaha motorcycles, it appears that they maintain one bike with recent components and another with features expected in the latter part of 2024.

The Pramac bikes are most distinguishable by their colors: one bike, used by Miller and Oliveira, is painted black, while the other features the complete race design.

At Monster, each of the four motorcycles sports its complete set of colors, yet Quartararo and Rins each have one bike equipped with the latest chassis, which remains unpainted.

Fermin Aldeguer, racing for Gresini Ducati, currently leads with a lap time of 1 minute and 59.140 seconds. This performance is being compared to Fabio Quartararo's best Shakedown lap, which was completed in 1 minute and 57.794 seconds.

Current titleholder Jorge Martin and last season's second-place finisher Francesco Bagnaia have already hit the track, while Bagnaia's new partner, Marc Marquez, has not begun his testing sessions yet.

Jack Miller is leading in speed, closely followed by newcomer Fermin Aldeguer, with both having participated recently in the Shakedown.

One of the initial riders to hit the track was Honda's Luca Marini, who did not participate in the Shakedown event but was the first to start riding today.

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Lewis Hamilton Experiences Driving a Different Ferrari F1 Vehicle in Barcelona

A significant day unfolds for Lewis Hamilton as he takes the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car once again.

On Tuesday, Lewis Hamilton resumed his training for the 2025 season by taking a Ferrari F1 car for a spin in Barcelona.

On this occasion, Hamilton had the chance to pilot Ferrari's 2024 contender, dubbed the SF-24.

The SF-24 came close to clinching the F1 constructors' title but was edged out by McLaren, despite Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz securing five victories in the 2024 season.

In theory, the 2024 model represented a notable improvement over its forerunner, the SF-23, which was piloted by Hamilton the previous week.

The seven-time world champion experienced a crash in the 2023 vehicle on his second day of testing last week at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Ferrari is participating in a Pirelli trial aimed at evaluating tyres for the upcoming season, and this involvement necessitated an atypical adjustment to their setup.

According to Autoracer, Hamilton's Ferrari was configured to mimic the 2026 regulations by employing significantly reduced downforce levels.

It's unusual for Barcelona, as teams typically choose to use significantly more downforce throughout the season due to the characteristics of the track's corners.

The anticipated regulations for 2026, which forecast a reduction in downforce by 20 percent, are likely to provide Pirelli with more valuable information through the adjustment changes, aiding in their ongoing tire development efforts.

Pirelli has not disclosed the exact details of the test, but it appears that for Hamilton, the experience was much more seamless compared to the previous week.

Leclerc recovers lost position

From the other half of the Ferrari team, Leclerc was active as well, behind the wheel of the SF-23.

This used up part of his designated mileage for testing earlier models of cars.

Leclerc lost valuable track time last week due to Hamilton's crash.

The familiar noises of Sunday are nearly upon us again 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/4yWCixKyv8— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 4, 2025

Ferrari wasn't the sole squad conducting trials in Barcelona, as McLaren was also collaborating with Pirelli on the development of their tyres for the 2026 season.

Sky Sports Italy also disclosed that Alpine attended the event at the Spanish track.

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Lewis Hamilton Experiences Driving a Ferrari F1 Vehicle in Barcelona for the First Time

A significant moment for Lewis Hamilton as he takes the wheel of a Ferrari F1 vehicle.

Lewis Hamilton resumed his position in a Ferrari Formula 1 vehicle on Tuesday, furthering his readiness for the 2025 season in Barcelona.

On this occasion, Hamilton had the chance to pilot Ferrari's 2024 contender, the SF-24.

The SF-24 came close to clinching the F1 constructors' title but was edged out by McLaren, despite Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz securing five victories in 2024.

In documentation, the 2024 model represented a major improvement over its forerunner – the SF-23, that Hamilton piloted the previous week.

During his second day of testing last week at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the seven-time world champion experienced a crash in the 2023 car.

Nonetheless, Ferrari is participating in a Pirelli trial aimed at evaluating tyres for the upcoming year, leading to an unexpected modification in their setup.

According to Autoracer, Hamilton's Ferrari was configured to have very minimal downforce to mimic the regulations set for 2026.

It's unusual for Barcelona, as teams typically prefer to use higher downforce throughout the season due to the characteristics of the turns.

Anticipated regulations for 2026 are predicted to decrease downforce by 20 percent, and this adjustment in setup is poised to provide Pirelli with more accurate information to aid in their ongoing tire development efforts.

Pirelli has not disclosed the precise details of the recent test, but indications suggest that Hamilton experienced a much smoother process than he did the previous week.

Leclerc recovers lost territory

From the other end of the Ferrari team space, Leclerc was similarly engaged, piloting the SF-23.

This used up a portion of his designated mileage for testing earlier models of cars.

Leclerc lost valuable track time last week due to Hamilton's crash.

The iconic noises of Sunday are nearly upon us once more 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/4yWCixKyv8— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 4, 2025

Ferrari wasn't the sole team conducting tests in Barcelona, as McLaren was also collaborating with Pirelli on the development of their tyres for 2026.

Sky Sports Italy has also disclosed that Alpine attended the event at the Spanish track.

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