KTM MotoGP's chief elaborates on the decision to appoint a new team manager

Aki Ajo is set to join the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing squad in 2025, taking over from Francesco Guidotti.

For the 2025 season, KTM will see a change in its team leadership, as Aki Ajo takes over the position formerly occupied by Francesco Guidotti.

This decision was made following two consecutive seasons where KTM failed to secure a Grand Prix victory; in fact, in 2024, they were unable to claim victory in both a Grand Prix and a Sprint.

"I wouldn't want to come off as harsh in stating this, but it truly pleases me that Francesco [Guidotti] is parting ways with KTM on good terms," KTM's motorsport director Pit Beirer expressed to MotoGP.com.

"Regrettably, our efforts fell short of achieving the desired outcomes due to various minor factors."

Beirer highlighted the reason for selecting Ajo, who has been at the helm of KTM's premier teams in the Moto3 division from the start in 2012, and has led its Moto2 squad since KTM entered the category in 2017, was due to the Finnish team leader's approach to managing riders in both the intermediate and lightweight divisions throughout the years.

"Beirer mentioned that they chose Aki [Ajo] due to his close work relationship with the riders, believing he has the capacity to offer valuable guidance about track strategies."

"Please understand, we're not under the illusion that Aki is going to fix every issue we face. However, by combining what's lacking – essentially, creating a more advanced system domestically, and ensuring the cyclists contribute their part precisely when needed – it goes beyond just the contributions of the riders.

Additionally, it involves strategic team coordination, such as deciding the optimal time for qualifying runs, timing the laps, and managing various logistical details.

"Our conviction is that Aki could well be among the top contenders in this field, consistently demonstrating a knack for cultivating champions on our behalf."

"Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta are both familiar with him and are excited about the collaboration. He has previously led them to victory, so we believe Aki can provide the additional push necessary to shave off those crucial tenths of a second we're chasing."

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In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years at Visordown, where he focused on reporting news related to both consumer motorcycles and racing events.

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Johann Zarco 'anticipated feeling more downcast' as his initial MotoGP season with Honda concluded

"Turned out to be more optimistic than I had foreseen"

LCR's Johann Zarco confessed he anticipated feeling more disappointed than he ultimately did at the conclusion of his inaugural MotoGP season with Honda.

The rider, who has tasted victory once in MotoGP, transitioned from the top-performing Ducati to sign a two-year deal with Honda. Starting in 2024, he will compete under the LCR team banner.

Discover more: Honda's Awakening: Identifying Its MotoGP Vanguard in 2024

Despite clinching a victory in 2023, Honda faced a significant downturn in performance throughout the season, culminating in the departure of Marc Marquez who moved to the Gresini Ducati team by season's end due to the motorcycle's disappointing performance.

Despite 2024 marking Honda's third year without a victory in the past five seasons, Zarco stood out as the team's top performer, particularly shining during the latter half of the season.

Frequently a strong competitor in Q2, Zarco achieved Honda's highest finish of the year, securing eighth place in Thailand, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on several updates to the motorcycle.

He concluded the year as the highest-ranked Honda rider, finishing 17th in the overall standings with 55 points.

Looking back at his inaugural year with HRC, Zarco confesses that he anticipated being more disappointed with his season's outcome than he currently is.

"Reflecting on the season's conclusion last November in Barcelona, Zarco expressed that it exceeded his expectations, stating, 'It’s more positive than what I expected, if I have to analyse this end of the season.'"

"Moreover, my emotions have shifted. A year ago, I believed I would have felt sadder, but surprisingly, I find myself much happier than anticipated."

"That's positive. It all started when my performance in Indonesia improved, followed by my ability to consistently achieve similar outcomes, which then allowed me to refine my riding technique."

"This effort was yielding results on the field, which boosted my confidence that I've unlocked fresh opportunities. I'm convinced I can become significantly stronger by exploring these novel aspects."

Zarco will continue to race for LCR in the 2025 season, maintaining a consistent team framework for Honda, as its main squad, featuring Joan Mir and Luca Marini, remains unchanged.

Somkiat Chantra will advance from Moto2 to occupy the second LCR position next to Zarco in his debut season, taking over from Takaaki Nakagami.

Nakagami has transitioned to Honda's testing squad, joining forces with Aleix Espargaro.

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EXCLUSIVE – Jack Miller: “I still have much to offer the world of racing…”

Yamaha is working tirelessly to regain their competitive edge in MotoGP.

"I'm at a standstill. The phone isn't ringing, and I might end up going home early for a shower."

Jack Miller expressed his concerns about his future in MotoGP upon his return from the summer break at Silverstone last August.

Luckily for the 29-year-old, a call finally came through.

The phone call came from Miller's old team, Pramac, as they aimed to have the Australian racer join Miguel Oliveira in their new Yamaha project, now supported by the factory.

In a conversation with Crash.net towards the end of the season, Miller explained that they were making significant efforts to remain in MotoGP, although for a while, the situation seemed bleak.

"Luckily, we have this chance, and I'm incredibly driven and eager to seize it fully and transform it into something remarkable."

"I believe I have much more to contribute to the sport. I don't think I've achieved my full potential yet, and this opportunity allows me to start fresh and work towards rebuilding."

Miller's career in grand prix racing has faced uncertainty on multiple occasions, dating back to his initial days in the 125cc class when he struggled financially.

However, the Australian rider, who was fast-tracked into MotoGP after competing for the 2014 Moto3 championship, never gave in.

"I've been incredibly lucky," remarked the racer who has clinched victory in four MotoGP races. He gestured towards the television screen in the Red Bull KTM hospitality area, where footage from his early career was being broadcast.

"They've been showing these replays all day, and having been part of MotoGP for almost a decade and still maintaining some level of competitiveness is a great source of satisfaction for me. It's beyond what I ever expected."

"There are definitely challenging times, one might say. However, the most important lesson I have learned is to persist and not quit."

"I'll keep working hard and consistently push myself to achieve my best."

During his second and concluding season with Red Bull KTM, Miller faced constant issues with chatter, ultimately finishing 14th in the world championship, with his best race finishes being fifth place.

Yamaha is working extremely hard to regain their competitive edge. According to Miller, Yamaha is putting in significant effort, with their top rider, Fabio Quartararo, finishing just slightly ahead of Miller in the world championship rankings last year.

Miller was unable to provide any comments after his first appearance with Pramac Yamaha during the Barcelona test in November because of his contract with KTM.

Before the event, he expressed a strong interest in testing the newest model of a machine that, back in his first MotoGP season in 2015, had won the prestigious triple crown for riders, teams, and manufacturers.

"The motorcycle has an interesting background, and its fundamental structure is impressive," stated Miller.

"In recent years, they've faced some challenges, but back when I began my MotoGP career, that was the motorcycle everyone aspired to ride."

Newcomers, such as Zarco, Jonas Folger, and Fabio Quartararo, were also reaching the podium. Franky Morbidelli was among them too. That motorcycle was exceptionally powerful.

"They have indeed faced challenges in recent years due to the current aero designs and ride-height systems in MotoGP."

"I think they're putting in a lot of effort to close the gap. Despite the fact that these 'add-ons' related to ride height will only be around for a few more years, they're not being complacent and assuming everything will be fine by 2027."

"They're working extremely hard to reach their goal."

"I commend them for their efforts and for introducing a second team to the lineup once more. The absence of four bikes likely held them back, so this move is definitely a positive development."

Miller, instrumental in designing ride-height mechanisms and aerodynamics during his time with Ducati, highlighted that building a competitive MotoGP bike doesn't have an easy solution.

"If it were just one issue, Yamaha would have likely resolved it," he explained. "It's really a combination of factors, such as the management of the tyres or the ride-height mechanism."

"The impact that ride height devices have had on racing has exceeded all expectations. Some manufacturers have achieved incredible results with these systems. Additionally, the aerodynamic elements have also played a significant role."

Miller believes that Japanese manufacturers anticipated that ride-height devices would be banned sooner, which helped the Europeans gain an advantage.

"It seems they expected to be banned before 2027, so they didn't find it necessary to use them right away. However, it's now clear that these have been in existence for quite some time."

"The situation was similar with the winglets. Initially, we believed they had been banned. However, eventually, a method was discovered to circumvent that regulation."

"It's astonishing to observe the current aerodynamic designs of the rear sections of bikes. Allocating a significant portion of your budget to this aspect is a major undertaking."

When questioned about whether he thinks MotoGP manufacturers will discover ways around the upcoming ban on ride-height adjustments, similar to how wing designs have progressed, Miller responded:

"It's difficult to predict, but I wouldn't find it shocking."

"We believed the wings were gone, but unexpectedly, they started coming back, and now they're more noticeable than before."

Miller is set to be formally introduced as a Pramac Yamaha racer at a combined event with the factory Monster team, scheduled for January 31 in Kuala Lumpur.

Thanks to the allowances granted to Yamaha and Honda, Miller can participate in the Sepang Shakedown beginning on January 31 and the Official MotoGP test scheduled for February 5-7.

In its efforts to regain its leading position in MotoGP, Yamaha is working on a V4 engine in addition to its current Inline engine. This makes Miller's knowledge of the V4 engines from Honda, Ducati, and KTM particularly beneficial.

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For two decades, Peter has been a part of the paddock scene, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from beginning to end. He is currently closely following the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's ongoing injury challenges.

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Marc Marquez: Switch to Ducati Team Offers Strong Advantages for Championship Bid

The eight-time world champion sets sights on MotoGP 2025 success

Marc Marquez states that joining the official Ducati squad has provided him with "two excellent opportunities" to pursue additional MotoGP championships.

The 31-year-old rider from Spain is back as a factory rider for Ducati, after spending a year racing with the Gresini satellite team.

Marquez's tenure at Gresini played a crucial role in him regaining his competitive edge, which had been diminished by injuries and the Honda team’s struggles to remain competitive.

Securing victories in three grand prix races and securing a spot on the factory team Ducati for 2025, Marquez has often mentioned that his time with Gresini in 2024 enabled him to experience a resurgence.

In a recent conversation with TVE, Marquez, who has been a part of the Ducati factory team since January 1, shares his expectations for the 2025 racing season.

"2025 and 2026 are set to be two highly promising years," he was reported as saying by Marca.

"It's uncertain whether these will be our final attempts, but they stand as two strong opportunities to compete for the championship, given we're part of the top team and we're committed to giving it our all."

"However, before anything else, there's a pre-season to tackle, but undoubtedly, there's always excitement at the beginning."

"Accidents are inevitable in our sport, but my hope is that no one gets hurt."

"Then, regarding my objective, it's clear that my ambition is to contend for the world championship up until the final races."

Marquez had his first outing with the factory Ducati team at the post-season testing in Barcelona last November, where he took the GP24 and GP25 for a spin after spending the 2024 season on the GP23.

His advancement to the primary Ducati team occurred as reigning world champion Jorge Martin, representing the brand, shifted to Aprilia.

In 2025, Pramac will transition to using Yamaha equipment due to Ducati's reversal of their initial intention to elevate Martin.

Ducati and Marquez are set to reveal the 2025 Desmosedici's paint scheme on January 20th during their season kickoff celebration in Italy.

During the off-season, Marquez announced his departure from his long-standing personal sponsor, Red Bull, in line with his transition to the Monster Energy-sponsored Ducati team.

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Pedro Acosta remains unfazed by KTM's unclear MotoGP prospects

The 20-year-old shows no worry over KTM's economic troubles

Pedro Acosta has provided a composed response regarding his feelings amidst the ambiguity surrounding KTM's future in MotoGP, stating that it "doesn't impact" him.

The Austrian company is currently facing a monetary emergency, leading it to undergo a reorganization effort to avoid insolvency.

The company's liabilities are believed to surpass €3 billion, yet a recent meeting with creditors has provided a cautiously optimistic outlook for the brand's future.

Further Reading: If KTM Acquisition Occurs, MotoGP is Advised to Welcome F1 Star Hamilton

The court has given the green light for the restructuring process to proceed, and external investors have shown interest, committing to invest up to €700 million.

In a recent interview with Speedweek, KTM's head of motorsport, Pit Beirer, revealed that the brand had engaged in serious discussions with the management team of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton regarding a potential investment.

The future of KTM in MotoGP continues to be unclear.

KTM has announced its intention to continue competing until 2025, but during the initial meeting with creditors, it was revealed that there is a scheduled plan to exit grand prix racing by 2026.

This has sparked rumors regarding what lies ahead for KTM's racers, especially Acosta, the breakout star of 2024, who clinched nine podium finishes in his first season with the GASGAS-endorsed Tech3 team.

He moves to join KTM's official team with Brad Binder, having signed a long-term deal for the year 2025.

Albert Valera, who manages Acosta, expressed his concerns during an appearance on the 'Por Orejas' podcast. He stated, "Back in May, we entered into a partnership with a firm that appeared robust and poised to take on Ducati. Now, the scenario has completely transformed, leaving us questioning the turn of events."

However, during a Pont Grup event, Acosta has taken steps to soothe the atmosphere.

He is quoted by Marca expressing his satisfaction, saying, "Making it to the official team was our initial goal, and I'm thrilled to have achieved that."

"The aim is to refine specific aspects of the motorcycle and achieve steady performance in competitions to strive for superior outcomes."

He further stated, "Our operations remain unaffected by KTM's present circumstances, and I am confident they will overcome this phase."

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Mercedes reveals a 'revolutionary' partnership with Adidas, following a major brand transition

Adidas steps in to replace competitor Puma as the new apparel partner for the Mercedes F1 team.

The Mercedes Formula 1 team has revealed a long-term collaboration with Adidas, who will now serve as their new apparel partner.

The German athletic apparel company is set to join Formula 1 in partnership with Mercedes starting in the 2025 season, concluding the Silver Arrows' former sponsorship agreement with competitor Puma.

Adidas is set to craft and produce a comprehensive collection that blends both functionality and fashion for the whole team, encompassing drivers, mechanics, and engineers.

Mercedes claims that this collaboration will pioneer advancements in a sport where every millisecond counts.

Mercedes has also announced that the uniquely crafted team gear will be accessible for purchase by supporters too.

The collaboration will also feature a range of clothing, shoes, and accessories specifically tailored and crafted for fans of the team and its drivers.

The agreement secures a prominent new partner for Adidas following the loss of its prestigious sponsorship deal with the German national football team. American company Nike is set to assume control of the agreement starting in 2027, in a move that has sparked debate.

An agreement to pioneer a new path

Adidas' chief, Bjorn Gulden, expressed his enthusiasm about reentering the motorsport arena, stating, "We're thrilled to return to the motorsport scene. The fascination with motorsport, especially Formula 1, has significantly increased. It's captivating new audiences and profoundly impacts both the sports and streetwear scenes.

"We are thrilled to announce the integration of the Three Stripes as an Official Team Partner with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team – a team renowned for its unparalleled success in the sport."

"United by our love for velocity, creativity, and excellence, we are committed to backing our racers and the crew in their quest to exceed boundaries on the racetrack. Beyond the racetrack, we aim to revitalize the sport with innovative lifestyle products, attracting a new wave of enthusiasts."

"We are excited to back Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 and to achieve victories as a team."

Mercedes team leader Toto Wolff characterized the move to Adidas as a "definitive declaration of our ambitions as we embark on a new phase for our team."

"Adidas stands as a legendary label, embodying our commitment to not just top-tier performance but also to elegance and class," he further stated.

"This declaration thus signifies a pioneering partnership that will transform the understanding of team and fan apparel within our sport."

"We're thrilled to embark on this new journey and collaborate with adidas, as we jointly aim to compete for global championships."

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

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Christian Horner quashes rumors of Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull, citing a steadfast commitment from the driver.

Red Bull chief Christian Horner is adamant that Max Verstappen has no intention of departing from the Formula 1 squad.

Despite being under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, there has been much discussion and conjecture regarding the career prospects of Verstappen, who has clinched the world championship title on four occasions.

Throughout the previous year, Red Bull faced numerous challenges away from the racing circuit, leading to speculation about Verstappen's loyalty to the team. Additionally, there was significant speculation about Verstappen potentially moving to Mercedes, as Toto Wolff openly expressed interest in him as a possible successor to Lewis Hamilton.

Contrary to speculation, Verstappen has affirmed his commitment to staying with Red Bull, expressing satisfaction with the team that has helped him secure all four of his world championships since 2021.

In a conversation with Motorsport, Red Bull's team principal, Horner, emphasized that there was never any uncertainty regarding Verstappen's continuation with the team.

"Max has consistently been transparent with the team," Horner stated. "His dedication has never faltered. He takes pleasure in the company of those he trusts and collaborates with, and he truly appreciates being a member of this team.

Certainly, given his skill level, it's natural that he'd be at the top of every team leader's holiday gift list. That's unavoidable.

"However, if we manage to keep supplying him with a high-performance vehicle and maintain an atmosphere he loves to race in, I can't envision him wanting to be anywhere else."

During the previous season's Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen hinted at the possibility of leaving Red Bull should his advisor Helmut Marko be ousted from his position following the controversy that involved Horner at the season's outset.

In response to inquiries regarding Verstappen's remarks in Saudi Arabia, Horner stated: "Actually, Helmut hasn't departed nor is he planning to leave, therefore, I believe that Max understands… he acknowledges the importance of the team, and that's truly what he has fostered throughout this time.

"When your vehicle isn't performing up to expectations, it's crucial that your pitstops are solid, your strategy is sound, your reliability is unquestionable, and you're making the correct choices at the pivotal times."

Operations continue as usual for Horner

Amidst accusations related to his conduct towards a female staff member, Horner's career prospects and the ensuing internal conflicts and instability within Red Bull have been subjects of discussion.

After a thorough examination carried out by an external attorney, Horner, who consistently refuted the claims against him, was found not guilty of any misconduct. The female complainant's challenge to the findings of the investigation was rejected.

Horner maintains that the dispute hasn't influenced his management of the team.

"He mentioned that the moment you cross the red line into the garage, you're immediately cut off from the paddock's clamor. Crossing that boundary means everything returns to usual operations," he stated.

My position continues to stay the same, in that it encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. As someone who is often present at the racetrack, I serve as the team principal for a top-tier sports team. Additionally, from Monday through Friday, I hold the role of CEO for three tech companies focusing on chassis, engine, and cutting-edge technology.

"Thus, everything remains the same, it's business as usual."

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Kevin Magnussen disclosed that Ferrari showed interest and he declined an offer from Red Bull.

Kevin Magnussen has stated that there was a possibility of him driving for Ferrari or Red Bull at some point in his Formula 1 career.

The Danish racer, now 32, finds himself without a Formula 1 spot for the 2025 season following his replacement at Haas by Esteban Ocon, and has discussed the alternate paths his professional journey might have taken.

In his initial tenure with Haas, Magnussen disclosed that he was considered as a potential successor to Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari. However, Ferrari decided to elevate their rising star Charles Leclerc for the 2019 season following his remarkable debut season with Sauber.

"In my third season of Formula 1, I was around 24, maybe 23 years old. At that time, everything seemed achievable. I maintained my belief in the possibilities. And indeed, there were instances that made me feel like things were moving in the right direction," Magnussen shared with Autosport.

In 2018, the initial six months saw our car performing exceptionally well. Charles Leclerc had just made his debut in Formula 1, racing for Sauber. His opening season began somewhat rocky, whereas I experienced quite a successful start. It was around that time that Ferrari started showing interest.

Out of the blue, I found myself behind the wheel in their simulation, not representing Haas, but Ferrari instead. They seemed quite interested. I remember thinking, this could get interesting. However, just as I was getting my hopes up, Charles began to outperform everyone significantly. After that, there was silence on their end.

"I'm uncertain about the exact proximity, but my belief is that if Charles hadn't begun to excel, if his performance had been lackluster throughout the season, I reckon I might have been among the drivers under consideration."

"At times, it seems as though you're nearly there, yet not quite. That's just how things unfold."

Declining Red Bull's Offer

Magnussen had the chance to be part of the Red Bull team and thinks he might have had the opportunity to race with Max Verstappen in the main team eventually.

After Daniel Ricciardo left Red Bull at the close of 2018, Magnussen's team contacted Christian Horner, the team principal, leading to discussions about a possible spot for Magnussen at Toro Rosso.

However, Magnussen declined the opportunity to race for Red Bull's affiliated team when it was presented to him, a decision he now recognizes as likely being an error upon reflection.

"After that particular season concluded, Daniel Ricciardo parted ways with Red Bull. I recall my management team reaching out to Christian Horner, especially since there was a lot of buzz surrounding the vacant seat at Red Bull,” he shared.

"Christian mentioned, 'There are no opportunities at Red Bull, however, we could consider Toro Rosso'. To which I responded, 'Oh, no, let's not go down that route,' a decision I likely should have reconsidered."

Gasly secured the position at Red Bull. Following his move, Albon was elevated from F2 to Toro Rosso. However, Gasly's performance was not up to the mark, leading to Albon stepping in. Interestingly, the individual who initially filled the Toro Rosso spot eventually made his way to Red Bull.

Despite conceding that his career could have taken a different trajectory, the most accomplished F1 driver from Denmark maintains that he harbors no regrets regarding the course his career in the sport has taken.

"Definitely, I could have put in more effort," he stated. "Honestly, I believe no one can claim 'I did everything possible'. There's always room for improvement… There were moments when my effort was lacking.

"However, there were moments when I truly pushed myself to the limit. I genuinely have no regrets. In my view, there wasn't anything I could have done differently to alter the trajectory of my career. I strongly believe that."

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Toto Wolff was eager to prevent a similar situation to Max Verstappen's after an unexpected situation with Lewis Hamilton.

Toto Wolff discusses the challenge of choosing who will take Lewis Hamilton's place at Mercedes.

Toto Wolff expressed his desire to not let Mercedes talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli slip through his fingers, as happened previously with Max Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton's unexpected choice to depart from Mercedes, following a 12-year stint, to team up with Ferrari starting in 2025 caught the Silver Arrows off guard, as they hurried to find a new teammate for George Russell.

Wolff openly pursued Verstappen during a period of instability at Red Bull the previous year. However, once it became apparent that he couldn't lure the Dutch driver away, Mercedes chose to elevate their young talent Antonelli to the team after he had only one season in Formula 2 under his belt.

During his appearance on the Armchair Experts podcast with Dax Shepard, Wolff discussed his intention to prevent Antonelli from considering other options in case Mercedes failed to provide him a permanent position.

Previously, Wolff faced disappointment when an attempt by Mercedes to recruit Verstappen during his Formula 3 days fell through. Instead, Verstappen opted to sign with Red Bull, quickly securing a racing spot with Toro Rosso in 2015, and then receiving an upgrade to the main team just four races into the next season.

Hamilton's departure ultimately accelerated Antonelli's opportunity to join Mercedes sooner than initially anticipated.

"Wolff expressed surprise at the turn of events, finding it odd that Hamilton will now be donning Ferrari gear and getting behind the wheel of the iconic red vehicle."

The situation feels quite extraordinary. However, we had this 17-year-old talent, Kimi Antonelli, coming up through our ranks. I was determined not to let him slip through our fingers, as happened with Max Verstappen previously, when I couldn't offer him a drive. So, everything is coming together nicely now.

"I understand his perspective, as our performance was lacking. Our vehicle simply wasn't fast enough, and he had an incredible offer from Ferrari. It's a dream for any Formula 1 driver to race for them."

Wolff found it difficult to let Hamilton go

In the summer of 2023, Hamilton, having renewed his contract with Mercedes for another two years, opted to trigger a termination option in his contract to facilitate his move to Ferrari.

By seizing control of his destiny, the seven-time world champion alleviated Mercedes of the burden of possibly making a tough decision by the close of 2025.

Wolff confessed he felt a definite sense of relief at not being confronted with the tough decision of determining Hamilton's departure from Mercedes.

"The Austrian mentioned, "From a personal perspective, I found it impossible to make a choice – he has our deep gratitude."

"I was hesitant to make the choice, similar to Mercedes, of letting the most unparalleled champion leave.

"Perhaps he sensed it too, that it was an aspect of the situation, and he was aware that Antonelli was on the horizon. It was a thought I almost always harbored, the possibility of that occurring."

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Reasons Revealed: Why Red Bull Chose Not to Pair 'Quicker' Driver with Max Verstappen

Helmut Marko explains why Red Bull favored Liam Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda for promotion.

Helmut Marko, an advisor for Red Bull, has shed light on the decision to not move Yuki Tsunoda up the ranks, even though he was considered "quicker" than Liam Lawson.

Lawson was chosen ahead of Tsunoda to fill the spot left by the ousted Sergio Perez for the 2025 season, marking the 22-year-old from New Zealand as Max Verstappen's fifth partner since his 2016 entry into Red Bull.

Perez became the most recent victim of Red Bull's uncompromising approach, as the team decided to let go of the Mexican driver due to his poor showings in the previous season, judging him not up to par for operating their second vehicle.

Before Perez's tenure at Red Bull, both Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon encountered similar outcomes. Now, the team has shifted its focus to Lawson, who has participated in only 11 Grand Prix events across two seasons.

Lawson's advancement occurred even though he didn't clearly surpass his Racing Bulls colleague Tsunoda in terms of speed, with Tsunoda outpacing Lawson in the six standard qualifying rounds they both competed in towards the close of 2024.

Marko explains Red Bull's decision to choose Lawson instead of Tsunoda, citing 'major emotional hurdles'.

"Marko expressed to Sport that while Tsunoda currently has the edge in speed over his counterpart, his performance is marred by a lack of steadiness and ongoing errors."

Marko also cited Tsunoda's emotional reactions communicated via the team radio as a contributing reason for Red Bull's choice to not advance the Japanese driver.

"The 81-year-old from Austria noted that while there has been a significant improvement in his fits of rage, the problem persists as he still struggles with maintaining control."

Marko mentioned that facing Verstappen would present Tsunoda with considerable emotional hurdles.

"He expressed concerns that realizing he couldn't match or even come near Max's performance could be emotionally taxing for Tsunoda, especially if things didn't unfold as he had envisioned."

Marko characterized Lawson as the most mentally resilient among our young athletes, even though he's less experienced.

"Marko emphasized that he possesses the psychological resilience required to compete with Verstappen, acknowledging his inability to contest the Dutch driver," Marko stated.

Tsunoda is set to embark on his fifth year with Red Bull's junior squad.

Red Bull's team leader, Christian Horner, has suggested that Tsunoda might be let go once his contract concludes at the close of 2025.

Horner acknowledged, "It's clear to us that if we fail to offer Yuki a chance at Red Bull this year, to be honest, does retaining him even make sense?"

"It's not feasible to keep a driver on the support team for five years. Constantly being in a secondary role isn't sustainable. At that juncture, you must consider either parting ways with them or exploring alternative options."

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Lewis consistently covers Grands Prix globally for Crash.net. Frequently providing firsthand reports, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures within the sport.

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Lewis Hamilton's Financial Status: How Much is the F1 Icon Worth?

The fortune of Lewis Hamilton stands at £350 million.

This information comes from the 2024 edition of The Sunday Times Rich List.

The esteemed list of the wealthiest individuals in the UK placed Hamilton in the 350th position.

Hamilton stood as the sole athlete currently competing to make the list.

Additionally, he secured the ninth spot on their list of '40 Wealthiest Individuals Under 40'.

Hamilton's value is estimated to be £10m higher than that of Ed Sheeran.

The individual who claimed the F1 world championship seven times holds the title for the wealthiest active athlete ever listed in The Sunday Times Rich List.

Yet, his move to Ferrari in 2025 is poised to enhance his financial standing.

Forbes has indicated that his earnings will see an uptick from the substantial $55 million payment he received from Mercedes in 2024.

Two years ago, his wealth reached £300 million, marking a £40m rise since 2021. However, this amount pales in comparison to Toto Wolff's fortune!

Hamilton is poised to reclaim the top spot on the Formula 1 driver earnings chart, surpassing Max Verstappen, following his partnership with Ferrari.

Verstappen led the earnings in F1, thanks to substantial bonuses for securing race victories and titles.

Hamilton's move to Ferrari in 2025 will once again position him as the highest-paid Formula 1 driver.

He has profitable agreements with companies such as Monster energy beverages, Tommy Hilfiger, Sony, and Bose.

He possesses residences in the United States, London, and primarily resides in Monaco.

In 2020, Hamilton achieved the status of being the wealthiest British athlete ever according to The Sunday Times Rich List, surpassing David Beckham (who ended his career in 2013).

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EXCLUSIVE: Aston Martin acknowledges criticism with a 'failure to meet expectations' admission

Mike Krack speaks to Crash.net about Aston Martin's need for a rigorous evaluation of their performance due to not achieving their goals.

Team leader Mike Krack has acknowledged that Aston Martin fell short of their goals in the 2024 F1 season.

Aston Martin secured a fifth-place finish in the constructors' championship for the second year running in 2024, though the team earned under half the points it had in the previous season.

The team based at Silverstone kicked off 2023 with impressive momentum, quickly establishing themselves as the main competitors to Red Bull. Fernando Alonso secured six podium finishes in the season's first eight races.

Aston Martin experienced a decline, falling behind their competitors in the midfield as the season progressed, mirroring a pattern seen in the previous year. They failed to secure any podium finishes and amassed only 94 points, a significant drop from the 280 points they had gathered in 2023.

Lawrence Stroll, the ambitious proprietor of Aston Martin, has made it clear he envisions his team vying for the F1 world title in the near future.

The wealthy Canadian entrepreneur has poured substantial funds into a cutting-edge facility, notably including an advanced wind tunnel, established a significant engine deal with Honda set to commence in 2026, and has made notable recruitment moves, prominently featuring the celebrated designer Adrian Newey as a key addition.

Thus far, Aston Martin's performance in races has fallen short of their high aspirations.

In response to inquiries about how he would address detractors highlighting Aston Martin's less-than-impressive performances, Krack conveyed to Crash.net, "I believe they have a point. We haven't met our goals or lived up to what we hoped to achieve."

Viewing it from an external perspective, one might observe that since the initiation of this project, our finishes have been in the seventh, seventh, fifth, and then fifth positions again. Therefore, when taking a step back for a broader view, it appears to be steady advancement.

"As we delve into the details of the seasons, it becomes clear that we fell short of meeting our objectives. Our goal was to narrow the gap with our rivals, and frankly speaking, had we succeeded, our position might not have been much different from fifth place, but our overall view of the season would have been significantly more positive."

"It's important not to be overly focused on the end outcome. Finishing fifth from last is respectable. While it's not outstanding, it's certainly not awful either. This season may not be the poorest we've ever had, but it falls short of our aspirations and what we aimed to achieve."

Aston Martin focuses on evaluating performance closely

Krack added, “We must maintain a high standard for ourselves. It's crucial to remain truthful in our assessments. The essence of Formula 1 revolves around achieving peak performance.

Our team has seen tremendous progress in numerous aspects; from the pace of our upgrade deployment, the enhanced quality of components, to the efficiency of our pit stops, garage workflows, and race strategies – all areas have seen significant improvements.

"However, everything else takes a backseat to how well the car operates, and that's an area we truly must address."

One of the major challenges Aston Martin has encountered in the last two years is the inability to make significant advancements in their car development.

Dan Fallows, who assumed the position of technical director with the team in 2022, departed from his role in November following a downturn in Aston Martin's performance.

Aston Martin is optimistic that the addition of Newey and ex-Ferrari chassis technical director Enrico Cardile to their team will aid in improving specific aspects starting in 2025.

"This is a time for contemplation," Krack stated. "Perhaps for as long as 18 months, given we've encountered similar problems since mid-[2023]. We can't dismiss it as an isolated incident.

"Time and again, our progress in performance has fallen short of expectations. It's imperative that we subject this to rigorous examination. By doing so, we're closely inspecting the situation, especially as the team has expanded rapidly."

"We possess an established framework. What is our organizational layout? What are our processes? Who communicates with whom during performance development, and it's crucial to acknowledge that our current methods are not yielding successful outcomes. Thus, it's imperative to challenge these practices."

"Currently, this is our course of action, and it's crucial to determine whether any adjustments are necessary or if we need to modify certain procedures."

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Lewis frequently visits various Grand Prix events globally as a correspondent for Crash.net. He provides on-site coverage, sharing narratives about the significant figures within the sport.

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