Gabriel Bortoleto is set to experience significant pressure as he breaks the dry spell for Brazilian drivers in Formula 1. Veteran driver Rubens Barrichello shares his thoughts on his compatriot, Bortoleto, before his F1 debut scheduled for next year.

Former Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello thinks that Gabriel Bortoleto, who is set to drive for Sauber in 2025, will face significant pressure in his debut season.

Bortoleto has been confirmed as part of Sauber's Formula 1 driver roster for the 2025 season, joining Nico Hulkenberg.

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After a gap since 2017 when Felipe Massa raced, a 20-year-old Brazilian has now joined the F1 lineup.

Brazil has a deep-rooted and illustrious connection to the sport, boasting world champions like Nelson Piquet, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Ayrton Senna. Additionally, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa have achieved numerous race victories. Given this legacy, Bortoleto will face significant expectations.

During an appearance on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Barrichello shared his thoughts on Bortoleto as he prepares for his Formula 1 debut next year.

Barrichello expressed his appreciation, stating, "I definitely hold him in high regard." He added that the current focus is not on his driving talent, but rather on assessing his readiness to perform effectively.

"At the moment, everything is going well. People perceive you in a new light, the paddock has its eyes on you, and the current atmosphere is simply enjoyable."

"However, he is an excellent driver. The key will be observing how he progresses in terms of mental management and handling various situations, as he will face significant pressure."

"He is the upcoming talent, and it's been quite a while since we've had a Brazilian driver, so there's a lot of anticipation from the fans. We'll have to wait and see."

Rubens Barrichello had an impressive career that lasted from 1993 to 2011.

He advised Bortoleto to understand himself better, saying that this was the most valuable guidance he could offer at the moment.

There's no need for us to become upset or feel negative about difficult periods. These challenging times are there to help us improve.

"It would have been dull without that challenge; you would have won every race without understanding the true worth of the effort it takes to actually win."

Connor, known for his keen insight into the controversies and narratives of Formula 1, is central to our objective journalism.

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2024 Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP – Outcomes of Friday's Practice

The results from the practice sessions on Friday at the Circuit de Catalunya during the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, marking the 20th and concluding round of the 2024 world championship.

* Novice

Barcelona MotoGP Official Records:

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Fastest lap: Aleix Espargaro achieved a time of 1 minute and 38.190 seconds (2024).

Quickest circuit time: Pedro Acosta at 1 minute and 39.664 seconds (2024)

Francesco Bagnaia maintained his pursuit of championship frontrunner Jorge Martin by topping the timesheets in Friday's practice session for the 2024 Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP season finale.

After experiencing an unexpected tumble following the morning's chequered flag, Bagnaia recovered swiftly, securing the leading position ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and Aleix Espargaro by late afternoon.

In contrast, Brad Binder and Jack Miller, riding KTMs, failed to secure spots in the top ten and will therefore have to compete in Saturday’s Qualifying 1 session.

During the first practice session, the majority of riders opted to use a consistent setup of soft front and medium rear tires. However, as temperatures rose later in the day, they switched to a combination of medium and hard front tires paired with either soft or medium rear tires.

Prior to the late-session time attacks, VR46's Bezzecchi topped the leaderboard on worn tires, with Vinales, Alex Marquez, Acosta, Martin, Bagnaia, Zarco, Binder, Morbidelli, and Aleix Espargaro following him.

Martin, who seemed to experiment with the widest variety of tire choices today, immediately secured the leading position by using fresh soft tires on both the front and rear.

Even though Martin was quick, he appeared restless in the pit area, urgently signaling for crew chief Daniele Romagnoli to talk about a possible problem.

In the meantime, Johann Zarco from LCR Honda delivered a blazing lap while trailing Marc Marquez, allowing him to set the quickest time.

The last stretch kicked off with Zarco, Martin, Maverick Vinales, Bagnaia, Alex Marquez, Pedro Acosta, Enea Bastianini, Marc Marquez, Aleix Espargaro, and Jack Miller holding the top ten positions.

Marquez, Zarco, and Fabio Quartararo lined up behind Bagnaia for their final laps, but it was Bezzecchi, a fellow VR46 Academy member, who independently surged to the lead.

However, this won't last.

Bagnaia managed to surpass the GP23 rider by 0.080 seconds, while Martin found himself in fifth place after sacrificing a lap due to a significant front-end recovery. Espargaro, who had previously secured pole position and won the Sprint in May, took a late third place but appeared to think he could have achieved more.

Caution flags were quickly removed following Joan Mir's late crash and Acosta's excursion off the track.

– Beginner

Barcelona MotoGP Official Records:

Fastest lap: Aleix Espargaro clocked in at 1 minute and 38.190 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time: Pedro Acosta clocked in at 1 minute and 39.664 seconds (2024)

Takaaki Nakagami leads the timesheets at the start of his last full-time MotoGP weekend, with unusual events marking the beginning and end of the first practice session for the Solidarity Barcelona season finale.

Title contender Jorge Martin gained an initial advantage over his competitor Francesco Bagnaia by securing fifth place. However, Bagnaia experienced a fall at Turn 1 once the session concluded, after the chequered flag had been waved.

While coasting with his elbow resting on the tank following a failed practice start, Bagnaia appeared taken aback by Maverick Vinales executing an outside pass in the braking zone, resulting in him losing control of the front.

While reviewing a replay in the pits, Vinales later made a gesture that seemed to say, "What did I do?"

During his practice start, Bagnaia experienced another spin, possibly due to experimenting with a low front-holeshot configuration.

The positive outcome for Bagnaia was that he walked away without any injuries.

In a cool yet dry environment with the temperature at 14 degrees, Nakagami managed to pull ahead by 0.4 seconds over Pedro Acosta in the closing moments. This came after he experienced a fall earlier in the session. To achieve this, he equipped his bike with fresh soft front and medium rear tires.

Acosta, similar to the majority of riders, opted for the same combination of soft and medium tires, yet started the weekend by crashing.

Tech3 teammates collide

The race was halted only six minutes in, as red flags were shown following an unusual crash involving Acosta and his Tech3 teammate Augusto Fernandez at the Turn 5 exit.

Fernandez tried to overtake Acosta on the outside, as Acosta was stuck behind Brad Binder.

However, Acosta, who was leaning inward, did not notice Fernandez's maneuver, leading to a collision between the two as they exited. This incident caused both riders to fall, damaged an air barrier, and resulted in the race being halted with red flags.

Thankfully, the two riders emerged unscathed, although Acosta was visibly shaken while conversing with his team in the pit area.

Prior to the red flag incident, VR46 substitute rider Michele Pirro faced difficulties early on, specifically at Turn 5.

Due to a last-minute venue change and lower temperatures, Michelin is providing a season-high selection of seven different tire options this weekend, with four choices for the front and three for the rear.

How Martin could secure the MotoGP championship during the Sprint race in Barcelona this Saturday:

Heading into the decisive weekend, Martin is ahead of Bagnaia by 24 points.

This would allow Martin to become the premier-class champion for the first time and make history as the first satellite rider to secure the title in the MotoGP era, provided he wins the Saturday Sprint or finishes with at least two more points than Bagnaia.

Although Martin holds the advantage, the cooler weather and potential for rain suggest there could still be an unexpected turn in what Bagnaia, the reigning double champion, has described as a "championship of errors."

Barcelona has stepped in as a last-minute substitute for the usual finale in Valencia, which was called off due to severe flooding.

In May, during the MotoGP event at the circuit, local favorite Aleix Espargaro revealed on Thursday that he intends to retire. He then went on to dominate Friday's practice sessions, secured the top spot in qualifying, and triumphed in the Sprint race, benefiting from a final lap error by Bagnaia.

Bagnaia struck back by securing a win in the grand prix, while Martin, who started in seventh place due to a qualifying crash, managed to finish second. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez, who failed to advance to Qualifying 2, impressively climbed from 14th to earn a spot on the podium in both races.

Gresini's rider, Marquez, is currently ahead by just one point over Enea Bastianini in the competition for third place in the world championship. Notably, Marquez will be taking over Bastianini's position with the factory Ducati team next year.

This weekend, the battle for fifth place overall and the highest-ranked non-Ducati rider will be determined. Rookie Pedro Acosta currently holds a narrow 3-point advantage over Brad Binder, who will be his teammate on the KTM factory team in the future.

Miguel Oliveira is set to make his comeback in his last Trackhouse race, following his absence from five rounds because of fractures in his left wrist sustained in Mandalika.

Ducati's test rider Michele Pirro has been selected to fill in for VR46 team member Fabio di Giannantonio, following di Giannantonio's recent shoulder operation.

I'm

For two decades, Peter has been immersed in the paddock, witnessing the rise and fall of Valentino Rossi. He is actively involved in covering the narrative surrounding Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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The concept of a rookie sprint race at the end of the F1 season has been postponed to no earlier than 2026.

The concept of holding a rookie race after the F1 season has been postponed until at least 2026, as determined by the F1 Commission.

F1 intended to organize a sprint race exclusively for rookies after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix scheduled for December this year.

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Unfortunately, the plans did not come to fruition due to scheduling issues and structural limitations.

Although all 10 teams have backed the idea, it won't be put to the test before 2026 at the earliest.

After a gathering of the F1 Commission, headed by FIA top official Nikolas Tombazis and F1 chief Stefano Domenicali, it was affirmed that they would "re-evaluate the matter in 2025".

"The statement mentioned that the proposal for a novice sprint race was reviewed once again. The panel continues to be intrigued by the idea and plans to explore it more in 2025, with the goal of introducing a rookie sprint race by 2026."

Additional subjects were explored as well.

After last year's intensely hot Qatar Grand Prix, which saw numerous drivers raising concerns about excessive heat, a new cooling system for drivers is set to be launched next year.

"The committee has sanctioned several technical modifications for the 2025 season, notably the implementation of a cooling system for drivers when a heat hazard is announced, after positive outcomes from testing," the FIA reported.

They also talked about the vacant positions at the beginning of races, particularly noting the empty slot left by Alex Albon after he was unable to start the Sao Paulo race due to a crash in the qualifying rounds.

Adjustments will be implemented to ensure that the language utilized is inclusive of all genders.

Connor, with his keen insight into F1's disputes and narratives, stands as the core of our impartial journalism.

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Fresh perspective on Daniel Ricciardo's departure from F1: "It was evident his world had fallen apart."

"Listening to the radio, it was clear his world had come crashing down."

Red Bull's CEO, Peter Bayer, disclosed that Daniel Ricciardo requested that the announcement of his departure from Formula 1 be withheld from the public, despite being knocked out in the first qualifying session at the Singapore Grand Prix.

After the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Ricciardo exited the world of Formula 1.

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Ricciardo's departure was unexpected, as he was considered a potential candidate to take over Sergio Perez's spot at Red Bull following the summer hiatus.

It wasn't until the Friday following the Singapore event that Ricciardo's official exit from Red Bull was declared, even though it was already widely known.

In an interview with the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Bayer discussed the circumstances surrounding Ricciardo's exit and the events that unfolded over the Singapore weekend.

He stated that he and Daniel had come to an agreement not to share the information.

"We understood that our team might appear somewhat old-fashioned. However, we made this choice to safeguard the driver, as it was his preference."

"He was confident up to the last moment that he would lead the pack in qualifying and prove himself to everyone. I've witnessed many athletes, but I've never encountered such strong mental determination. And I've been involved in numerous sports."

Ricciardo's plans for the weekend went awry when he was eliminated in the first qualifying session at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Bayer admitted that it was an extremely difficult time.

"It was a devastating instance when he was eliminated in Q1," Bayer remarked. "You could sense from the radio communication that everything had fallen apart for him."

On Saturday, we had another conversation with him. At 2 a.m., we gathered in our office to discuss our next steps.

He suggested that we allow him to handle the race on his own, emphasizing that he preferred to avoid any complications.

Bayer insists that the team would have provided Ricciardo with a proper farewell had he stayed with them through to the Abu Dhabi event.

Bayer explained the choice to switch Ricciardo for Liam Lawson, saying, "As a group, we positioned ourselves ahead of him."

"If Daniel had made the journey to Abu Dhabi, we would certainly have marked his departure with a fireworks display and a photo on the grid, similar to what we did for [Kimi] Räikkönen in the past."

"That's what people would have preferred."

Connor, known for his keen insight into the controversies and narratives of Formula 1, is central to our objective reporting.

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2024 Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP: Bagnaia Leads Second Practice Session, Martin Secures Fifth Place

Bagnaia Triumphs on Opening Day of 2024 Championship Final

Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati topped a closely contested second MotoGP practice session at the Solidarity Grand Prix, while his championship competitor, Jorge Martin, secured the fifth position.

Ahead of this weekend's races, Bagnaia is 24 points behind Martin. On Friday afternoon in Barcelona, he achieved an important mental edge over his competitor.

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The current two-time world champion set the pace, edging out VR46 Ducati's Marco Bezzecchi by 0.080 seconds, as Martin struggled and ended up in fifth place.

The difference between the two is minimal, as only 0.296 seconds separated them by the conclusion of Friday's session.

At the beginning of the one-hour practice session, Martin quickly established the initial lead with a time of 1 minute and 40.934 seconds. However, as the session approached the crucial final 15 minutes dedicated to the time attack, it was Bezzecchi who emerged as the key competitor to watch.

Pramac's Martin climbed to the leading position by clocking a lap time of 1 minute and 39.652 seconds during his initial attempt with a soft tire. He later bettered this performance to 1 minute and 39.214 seconds.

Johann Zarco of LCR Honda clocked the quickest time at 1 minute 39.197 seconds, but it was Bezzecchi who surpassed him, setting a new best of 1 minute 38.998 seconds with less than three minutes remaining.

Bagnaia, along with several other riders, ultimately led the timesheets, clocking in at 1 minute and 38.918 seconds to cross the finish line first overall.

Bezzecchi followed closely behind, with Aleix Espargaro from Aprilia securing third place as he kicks off his final weekend in MotoGP.

Zarco finished in an impressive fourth place at the conclusion of the session, while Martin, who experienced multiple issues with the front end throughout, secured the fifth spot.

Maverick Vinales secured the sixth position riding the other factory Aprilia, trailed by the Gresini Ducati team members Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez.

Tech3 GASGAS newcomer Pedro Acosta finished ninth, while Ducati's Enea Bastianini was the final racer to earn a spot in Q2 directly.

The factory KTM riders, Brad Binder and Jack Miller, finished in 11th and 12th places, respectively, at the end of the race. However, Binder had one of his laps invalidated, resulting in him being relegated to 17th position. Fabio Quartararo led the Yamaha contingent by securing 14th place.

Franco Morbidelli of the Pramac team experienced a crash early in the session. Similarly, Augusto Fernandez from Tech3 also went down. Later on, Honda's Joan Mir had a minor fall.

On his comeback race with Trackhouse Aprilia, Miguel Oliveira finished in 20th place, trailing 1.486 seconds behind the leader. Meanwhile, Michele Pirro, who was filling in for VR46, secured the 22nd position.

Complete Results from the 2024 MotoGP Solidarity GP Practice

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Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen come together, experiencing a moment of humility

For the first time since the Australian left Formula 1, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were spotted in each other's company.

Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen came together again over a match of padel.

Ricciardo's tenure with RB came to a close after the Singapore Grand Prix, marking the end of his career in Formula 1.

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Since his departure from the F1 scene, the Australian has maintained a discreet presence, staying out of the spotlight until now.

Taking a pause from their activities in Brazil and Las Vegas, Verstappen reunited with his old teammate to enjoy a game of padel.

Ricciardo and Verstappen were teammates at Red Bull for a period of three years.

Even though their crash during the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix led to Ricciardo's subsequent exit, the duo has continued to share a strong bond.

Both racers, despite their achievements on the circuit, were left feeling modest by a 13-year-old.

On his Instagram story, Ricciardo shared: "Yesterday was a humbling experience. At 13 years of age, the scores were 6-4 and 6-1."

"Time to start from scratch."

Verstappen shared his thoughts on playing padel with Ricciardo.

During a live broadcast on Wednesday night, Verstappen humorously commented that they were "completely thrashed" by the teenager.

"He added that playing padel with Daniel was enjoyable."

"A 13-year-old completely outplayed us. Seriously, he was excellent. I'm not even kidding."

"He's quite talented. I wouldn't claim to be extremely skilled, but I'm certainly not terrible."

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

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Carlos Sainz is set to participate in the post-season test for Williams in Abu Dhabi, marking his debut with the team.

Williams has announced that Carlos Sainz will participate in the team's post-season test in Abu Dhabi, marking his first appearance with them this December.

Carlos Sainz is set to depart from Ferrari to join Williams following Ferrari's decision to sign Lewis Hamilton for the upcoming year.

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In 2025, the Spanish driver aspired to secure a spot with either Red Bull or Mercedes, but neither team chose him.

He had to decide among Alpine, Sauber/Audi, or Williams.

In the end, Sainz decided to become part of the Williams team for the 2025 season,

He is set to make his debut with the team during the Abu Dhabi test that takes place after the season concludes.

In a piece published on their website, Williams expressed that this initial chance enables both Carlos and Williams to start forming their partnership before the upcoming season.

The testing event at Yas Marina Circuit offers the Spaniard an important opportunity to begin acclimating to his new team, as he will be driving the FW46 for the initial time.

In 2025, Carlos will join Alex Albon to race for Williams, creating one of the strongest driver pairings in the competition.

Connor, who has a keen sense for Formula 1's disputes and narratives, is central to our objective reporting.

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Honda Holds Edge Over Yamaha at Barcelona MotoGP – Claims Alex Rins

"In circuits like this, where the grip is minimal, it seems they have the upper hand against us…"

According to Alex Rins, the chilly conditions at the MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona did not benefit Yamaha. In fact, they found themselves at a disadvantage compared to Honda.

It was anticipated that the lower temperatures would benefit Yamaha, as they faced challenges at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya back in May when the track temperatures soared into the 40s Celsius.

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Rins described the weather as "freezing," indicating that it was almost too cold to ride. Despite some initial optimism for the weekend, the two Yamaha riders ended Practice outside the top 10, with Rins finishing in 14th place, just one position behind his teammate, Fabio Quartararo.

Compared to others, Honda appeared to perform significantly better, as Johann Zarco from the LCR team secured the fifth-fastest time.

Rins acknowledged after the opening day in Barcelona for the Solidarity Grand Prix this weekend that the Honda has occasionally outperformed the Yamaha before.

"It's accurate to say that for several races now, I've been telling the team that their grip is superior to ours, particularly when it comes to mechanical grip."

On tracks with minimal grip, it seems they hold an edge over us.

Rins believed Yamaha faced greater challenges at the Solidarity Grand Prix compared to their performance at the Catalan Grand Prix five months earlier.

"There was significant uncertainty about whether it would improve," Rins remarked. "However, this Grand Prix is definitely important, as it allows us to compare information with a different motorcycle that we used during the sixth round here a few months back."

"To tell the truth, we're facing more difficulties now compared to the initial Montmelo Grand Prix."

"It's slightly more difficult to gain traction and navigate corners, so we need to figure out a solution."

Currently, it's true that we are somewhat directionless. We're uncertain about the steps needed to make progress, but it's essential to continue our efforts and assessments. Maintaining belief and not surrendering is vital.

"We have to continue our efforts, but we're facing difficulties."

In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net team after spending two years reporting on motorcycle news for consumers and racing enthusiasts at Visordown.

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Max Verstappen responds to F1 75 Live event announcement with a wish for illness

“I don’t follow Formula 1… I wish to be ill during that time.”

Max Verstappen humorously expressed his wish to be too sick to make it to F1's glamorous vehicle unveiling ceremony next year.

This week, Formula 1 revealed that in honor of its 75th anniversary, all ten teams will simultaneously debut their new vehicles and liveries at a joint event in London.

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Teams frequently unveil their cars at various times before pre-season testing, with some choosing to do so at their own facilities.

When a team is pressed for time, they may choose to unveil their car just moments before testing begins or decide to share computer-generated images of their latest creation.

By 2025, every team along with the 20 competitors will gather at the O2 in London for this unparalleled occasion.

F1 chief Stefano Domenicali suggested that "special guests" would be in attendance, and the event would offer fans a distinctive chance to see the new machinery up close.

Nonetheless, Verstappen, standing on the cusp of securing his fourth F1 championship, appears to show little enthusiasm for the concept.

During a live stream on Wednesday night, Verstappen expressed confusion about the meaning of 'F1 75'.

"What do you mean by F1 75? Can you explain?" he inquired.

Members of his Team Redline, a sim racing team, let him know what it entailed.

He jokingly remarked, "I never follow Formula 1… Hopefully, I'll be ill during that time."

During the broadcast, Verstappen revealed that he had extended birthday wishes to his Formula 1 competitor Lando Norris, who celebrated his 25th birthday the day before.

The Dutch racer and Daniel Ricciardo teamed up again, only to be bested by a 13-year-old in a game of padel.

Connor is at the core of our impartial coverage, keenly focusing on the disputes and narratives surrounding F1.

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Eddie Jordan Expresses Strong Displeasure with Current F1 Trends

Eddie Jordan has voiced strong criticism regarding the current state of Formula 1.

Eddie Jordan has expressed his disapproval of the current state of Formula 1, likening today's cars to "tractors."

Throughout the years, the weight of Formula 1 cars has consistently risen.

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One reason for this is safety considerations and features like the halo on the car, while the hybrid engine introduced new technology that added more weight.

Back in 2012, the mass was approximately 640 kilograms.

A decade later, the minimum weight requirement for the years 2022 to 2024 is an impressive 798 kilograms.

The regulations set to take effect in 2026 are anticipated to reduce the weight somewhat, although it will remain far from the levels seen in the early 2010s.

During an appearance on the Formula for Success podcast, Jordan criticized Formula 1.

Jordan expressed that the experience of attending a race, such as one at Silverstone, was intensely thrilling. He explained that even if you were not positioned on the grid but were simply in the grandstand, the moment the race began with the roar of the V10 engines, you could feel the earth tremble beneath you.

"The force was so intense that you could actually feel it beneath you, resonating through the noise and vibrations, impacting every sense. It was an exhilarating experience, like the ultimate thrill. That's what motor racing meant to me, and it was something I truly loved."

"We lack the courage to address the current situation, whether it involves regulations or various other issues. It seems unlikely that we will ever return to using V10 engines."

"The next point, closely related to the first, truly stands out. These cars, and to be fair to drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris who are performing astonishingly well with them, are essentially just heavy machines. They weigh around 1000 kilograms, which is significantly more than they should."

He expressed his strong disapproval by saying, "In my view, the regulations, the organizers, and those deeply passionate about Formula 1 should all be ashamed. They have permitted the sport to reach a point from which it may never recover, and I truly despise them for this."

Connor, known for his keen insight into Formula 1's disputes and narratives, serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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Aleix Espargaro expressed excitement for Saturday, stating, "I can enjoy myself with the fastest engine I've ever experienced." He mentioned that he had a great time today and doesn't see anyone being exceptionally quick or dominant, so he believes he can have some fun in the upcoming day.

Aleix Espargaro acknowledged that the challenge was greater than it appeared, yet he remains optimistic about contending for a win in Saturday's Barcelona Sprint race following his third-place finish in Friday's practice session.

Uncertainty surrounds Sunday, which marks Espargaro's last MotoGP race as a regular competitor, with concerns that the Ducatis may once more outpace the competition.

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Espargaro gained an advantage with a new Aprilia engine for the last race and commended Michelin for providing seven different tire choices for the rescheduled season finale.

However, the chilly afternoon, with temperatures around 17 degrees, added an extra layer of difficulty to the already infamous slick track.

Espargaro described the day as more challenging than it appeared due to extremely tough conditions. He noted that attempting a time attack with the MotoGP bikes in 17-degree weather is quite demanding. Espargaro finished the session behind only Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi.

The rider mentioned having some difficulties with grip, similar to issues encountered earlier in the season. Despite these challenges, they expressed satisfaction with their progress, noting significant improvement. To avoid repeating crashes experienced on previous Fridays at the last four Grand Prix events, they approached the start with extra caution.

The Spanish rider stated: "What Michelin has done is incredible. We have numerous choices. They have provided significant protection for the left side of the tire. Personally, I feel it's a bit excessive. However, I won't criticize them for it. It's preferable to this than risking a crash. In my opinion, they have done an exceptional job."

"You should test out the tire, although it's challenging since I have a strong liking for this track. However, it's rather slick and the temperature is quite low."

Grasping the limits is challenging because it feels like the bike isn't fully gripping the track. At 17°, navigating these MotoGP bikes becomes extremely tricky, making it quite easy to crash.

On the positive side, Espargaro was encouraged by having 'the quickest engine he has ever experienced'.

"Aprilia is putting in a lot of effort; they've provided me with a new engine that is the quickest I've ever experienced. With slightly higher RPMs, I'm really speeding down the straights, so I'm pleased. We're experimenting with everything we can."

Espargaro, representing Aprilia, has secured victory in three out of the last four races held at his home circuit, also clinching the Sprint race from the pole position back in May.

The #41 team is optimistic about enjoying themselves with soft tires during tomorrow's Sprint event.

"Regarding his chance for a final win, he mentioned, 'If we focus on Saturday with the soft tyres and not Sunday, then yes, I believe it's possible!'"

"I had a good time today. I experimented with various front and rear setups and felt pretty comfortable overall. I didn't notice anyone being exceptionally quick or powerful, so I believe we have a chance."

"For Sunday, I'm not sure about our long-distance speed yet, but I believe I can enjoy myself tomorrow."

Espargaro's careful approach on Sunday is justified, as Ducati has not been defeated in a full-length race since Maverick Vinales, his teammate, secured a victory in the third round at COTA.

This encompasses the Catalunya Grand Prix in May, during which Espargaro secured the highest position among non-Ducati riders, finishing in fourth place but trailing the winner by over ten seconds.

The Spanish rider, who is set to take on Honda's testing and wild-card roles following this weekend, stated that other manufacturers remain behind Ducati in comprehending the new rear tire design for the 2024 season.

"We examine a multitude of factors in detail and put in a lot of effort to comprehend various aspects… However, there is one element that remains elusive," he stated.

"We're lacking traction and grip, while Ducati seems to be benefiting from the rear tire, which is causing us a lot of difficulties."

In addition to focusing on his own race this weekend, Espargaro is also monitoring the championship battle between his close friend and upcoming Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia.

This morning, Bagnaia experienced an unexpected incident when he lost control of the front and crashed. This occurred after the chequered flag had been waved, as Vinales overtook him at Turn 1 just after a practice start.

This occurred after a strange incident involving Tech3 riders Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez, which led to the race being halted with red flags.

Espargaro mentioned that he prefers not to focus on any specific event, but emphasized that the excitement is high due to it being the final race. He noted that everyone is exhausted and has their mind on the new bikes coming out on Tuesday.

"Pecco is definitely feeling quite anxious as he contemplates his championship prospects. It's a real challenge to handle. The most important approach is to avoid assigning blame and focus on completing the race while enjoying it as much as you can."

On Friday, Vinales clocked the sixth-fastest time, ensuring his direct passage to Qualifying 2.

For two decades, Peter has been involved in the paddock, witnessing both the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently leading coverage on Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Charles Leclerc voices worries about Ferrari at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: "Theoretically…"

Charles Leclerc evaluates Ferrari's prospects for success at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc is optimistic about Ferrari's chances at the upcoming F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, suggesting they could be contenders for the win. However, he cautioned that their advancements in tyre management could potentially be a drawback this season.

Last year in Las Vegas, Leclerc clinched the top spot in qualifying but ended up in second place during the race, edged out by Max Verstappen.

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In 2023, Ferrari excelled during qualifying sessions across the season, but they encountered more difficulties during the actual races.

A year down the line, their fastest speed is now achieved on a Sunday, marking a total reversal from before.

Anticipating the upcoming race in Las Vegas, Leclerc believes Ferrari's enhanced tyre durability could pose a challenge in heating the tyres quickly during the qualifying rounds.

As the Las Vegas Grand Prix unfolds after dark, the mercury might drop below 10 degrees Celsius.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Leclerc mentioned, "Based on what we know, this is a circuit where we're expected to do well.

"Nonetheless, our significant advancements in managing tyres suggest that on a track experiencing such low temperatures, finding the optimal operating range for the tyres could pose a challenge. The outlook remains promising on paper. While it might not be as favorable as the previous year, given the tight competition, I am confident we stand a chance to emerge victorious."

Carlos Sainz, who initially secured a front-row starting position next to Leclerc, was forced to accept a penalty related to his engine. This came as a result of a manhole cover inflicting considerable harm on his Ferrari.

Sainz acknowledged, "Vegas is in our debt after the previous year."

"Sainz expressed optimism, saying, "Perhaps Vegas is in our debt this time around. I believe last year, you were in a strong position to clinch the race.

"Clearly, I was unjustly penalized for something that wasn't our fault, which likely cost us the constructors' – second place in the constructors' at that time. I'm hopeful that Vegas will bring us some positive outcomes."

Ferrari continues to compete in the Formula 1 constructors' championship with three races remaining.

The Scuderia team is trailing McLaren by 36 points as they aim to secure their first championship since 2008.

Evaluating the competition among teams, Sainz mentioned: “I believe it's our goal. Depending on our current standing this year, you could argue that it's a challenging objective to reach.

"It's a hopeful and bold goal. I believe setting high goals is necessary, and this certainly qualifies as one."

Keenly attuned to the dramas and narratives within Formula 1, Connor is the core of our impartial journalism.

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