Nico Hulkenberg comes to Lewis Hamilton's defense after a challenging qualifying session, offering unexpected support to his fellow F1 competitor.

Nico Hulkenberg has spoken out in support of Lewis Hamilton regarding his comments about the challenging phase at the conclusion of his time with Mercedes in Formula 1.

The seven-time world champion faced a challenging last season with Mercedes. Although he secured two wins, Hamilton concluded the year in seventh place in the championship standings, marking the lowest finish of his distinguished 18-year career.

In addition to trailing George Russell in the drivers' rankings, he was consistently outperformed in qualifying sessions by his teammate throughout the 2024 season.

Following a disappointing performance in the qualifying session of the season's second-to-last race in Qatar, Hamilton admitted, "I'm certainly not as fast as I used to be."

He mentioned, "I'm simply not quick. It's the same story every weekend. The car felt fairly good, with no problems. There's really not much else to discuss."

Later in the weekend, Hamilton reversed his earlier statements, asserting that he "still has the skills" despite ongoing difficulties in qualifying.

Following a sixth-place qualification for the main race, which put him five positions and almost half a second behind Russell, Hamilton expressed: "The car just doesn't have any more speed in it. I'm absolutely certain I still possess the ability. There's no doubt about that in my mind."

Hamilton has gained support from Hulkenberg, who is the new driver for Sauber.

The German mentioned to RacingNews365 that it was simply a matter of timing, suggesting that he believed the person in question experienced a moment of vulnerability.

"He felt let down following a subpar qualifying session. While I'm not privy to the specifics from Mercedes, it's clear he was competing with George, who is already a quick and well-rounded driver."

"He has delivered impressive performances and has gained significant momentum, which can be frustrating and bothersome even for an experienced driver like Lewis."

Every one of us aims to compete against and outperform our teammates, but the Las Vegas race showed just how skilled Lewis is. He moved up from tenth place to second, proving he should never be underestimated.

"He continues to do exceptionally well."

Hamilton's Struggles in 2024 Qualifying

Despite holding the all-time record for the most pole positions in Formula 1 with 104, Hamilton has only managed to secure the top spot in qualifying on one occasion since the conclusion of the 2021 season.

The British driver, aged 40, struggled to adapt to Mercedes’ ground-effect vehicle introduced with the regulations that started in 2022.

Throughout the 2024 season, Hamilton was regularly outshone by Russell during single-lap qualifying sessions, concluding the year with a 5-19 loss against his teammate in these head-to-head matchups.

Russell achieved the distinction of being only the second teammate to surpass Hamilton in qualifying over an entire F1 season, following Nico Rosberg's accomplishment in 2014.

This season, Hamilton aims to improve his performance in qualifying as he begins his career with Ferrari.

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Max Verstappen has the opportunity to tie a Formula 1 record set by Michael Schumacher in the year 2025.

During the 2025 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen has the chance to match a record set by Michael Schumacher.

The Red Bull racer enters the upcoming season with the goal of retaining his title, which he secured despite facing significant challenges from McLaren and Lando Norris towards the end of 2024.

Max Verstappen's ability to dominate early in the season was crucial to his success. His unwavering performance, even when his car was only the third or fourth quickest on the track, ensured he claimed yet another championship victory.

Ultimately, Verstappen secured a decisive win against Norris, allowing him to capture his fourth consecutive world championship in Las Vegas, with two races remaining.

Verstappen faced a challenging season, dealing with problems related to the car's performance, as well as off-track controversies and political upheaval that affected Red Bull throughout the year.

As we approach 2025, Verstappen has the chance to equal the record for the most consecutive Formula 1 world championships.

The record is presently owned by the renowned Ferrari racer Schumacher, who secured five consecutive drivers' championships with the team from 2000 to 2004.

Lewis Hamilton, who is a major competitor of Verstappen, clinched four consecutive world championships as part of his total seven titles from 2017 to 2020.

Verstappen is poised to match Schumacher's achievement with another championship victory in 2025. However, he is likely to encounter strong rivalry from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, as these teams have significantly narrowed the distance to Red Bull.

Experts are predicting that McLaren will lead the pack in the upcoming season. Last year, they wrapped up the season boasting the quickest car and clinched the constructors' championship, a feat they hadn't achieved since 1998.

If Verstappen, who will not celebrate his 28th birthday until September, wins a fifth straight world championship, he will close in on the shared record of seven titles held by Schumacher and Hamilton.

Achieving this victory would elevate him beyond other four-time world champions like Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost. It would also place him on par with Juan Manuel Fangio in the historical rankings, making him just the fourth driver in Formula 1 history to secure five or more championships.

Verstappen remains indifferent to the potential of equaling records. As expected, he downplays their significance, emphasizing that they are not what drives him.

"I do want to win, but my focus isn't on achieving five consecutive victories or counting the total number of wins," Verstappen shared on Red Bull’s Talking Bull podcast.

"As for me, I feel confident that I'm part of a team that can win those championships, and I'm thrilled about what we will bring to the table next year."

"I am optimistic that our speed will be sufficient. Once it reaches the right level, I’m confident in handling everything else, but my main concern is that we are able to compete effectively."

"We're back at the top, and we have the opportunity to share many amazing experiences together."

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The Formula 1 record set by Michael Schumacher that Max Verstappen has the potential to reach in 2025

In 2025, Max Verstappen might have the opportunity to achieve a Formula 1 record currently held by Michael Schumacher…

In the 2025 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen will have the chance to match a record set by Michael Schumacher.

The Red Bull racer is starting the new season aiming to retain his title, which he secured even though he faced significant pressure from McLaren and Lando Norris towards the end of 2024.

Max Verstappen's early dominance played a crucial role in his success, and his ability to consistently perform well, even when his car was only the third or fourth fastest, led to another championship victory.

Ultimately, Verstappen's win against Norris was quite clear-cut, allowing him to secure his fourth consecutive world championship in Las Vegas, with two races left in the season.

However, Verstappen's season was anything but smooth, as he faced challenges with car performance and was caught up in off-track controversies and political upheaval that plagued Red Bull throughout the year.

As we approach the year 2025, Verstappen has the opportunity to equal the record for winning the most consecutive Formula 1 world championships.

Renowned Ferrari racer Schumacher holds the record, having secured five consecutive drivers' championships with the Scuderia between 2000 and 2004.

Lewis Hamilton, the major competitor of Verstappen, clinched four consecutive world championships out of his total seven between the years 2017 and 2020.

In 2025, Verstappen could match Schumacher's achievement with another championship win. However, he is expected to encounter strong challenges from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, as they have all narrowed the distance between themselves and Red Bull.

McLaren is being predicted as the leading contender for the upcoming season. They concluded the previous season with the quickest car and claimed the constructors' championship title for the first time since 1998.

If Verstappen wins a fifth world championship in a row, it would bring him closer to the shared record of seven titles, held by Schumacher and Hamilton. Notably, Verstappen will not celebrate his 28th birthday until September.

Achieving such a victory would elevate him beyond other four-time world champions, Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost, and put him on par with Juan Manuel Fangio in the record books. This accomplishment would make him just the fourth driver in the history of Formula 1 to secure five or more championships.

Verstappen remains indifferent to potential record achievements. As expected, he downplays the significance of equaling these records, emphasizing that they are not his main focus.

During an appearance on Red Bull's Talking Bull podcast, Verstappen expressed his desire to win but emphasized that his focus isn't on achieving a specific number of consecutive victories or a particular total number of wins.

"As for me, I'm part of a team that I believe has the potential to win those championships, and I'm enthusiastic about what we can achieve together in the coming year."

"I wish it's fast enough. Once I know it's fast enough, I'll handle everything else, but my main hope is that we are on par with the competition."

"We’ve returned to that place, and it's exciting to think about all the amazing experiences we can share."

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Aprilia encourages its MotoGP racers to engage in dialogue: ‘Occasionally, you might just need to tell each other to get lost’

Aprilia's CEO shares a "formula" for overcoming challenging times

The CEO of Aprilia, Massimo Rivola, has cautioned that MotoGP 2025 will present challenging times. Despite these difficulties, he has emphasized the importance of communication among the riders, even if it means expressing disagreement bluntly.

The Italian team has overhauled its factory roster for the next season, introducing reigning world champion Jorge Martin to join forces with Marco Bezzecchi.

In 2024, Aprilia managed to secure a grand prix victory, but as the season progressed, its RS-GP faced challenges, causing the team to fall to third place in the rankings, following behind KTM and the championship-winning brand, Ducati.

Martin has taken steps to manage expectations about keeping his title in 2025 during his initial year with Aprilia.

In a recent behind-the-scenes video featured on MotoGP's official website, which showcases Martin and Bezzecchi's initial test with Aprilia last November, Rivola also cautioned about "challenging times" in the future.

He started his address to the whole Aprilia team by acknowledging that there would be challenging times ahead, specifically mentioning Martin and Bezzecchi.

"The key to getting through these situations is surprisingly straightforward: discuss everything openly."

"What's happening? At times, you'll have to communicate with one another in different ways."

"Occasionally, you might even tell each other to 'go away' in a more colorful manner."

"That's alright. The rush of adrenaline will make it simpler for you."

"Our strategy is to provide the most favorable circumstances for both of you, to the fullest extent we can, without resorting to any deception or manipulation."

"You need to understand that you are the key individuals supporting numerous families who rely on you for their livelihoods. This is a responsibility you carry."

In addition to introducing fresh riders, Aprilia kicks off 2025 by appointing Fabiano Sterlacchini as their new technical director, who has prior experience with KTM and Ducati.

Romano Albesiano has been succeeded by another individual, as Albesiano has assumed the position of technical director at Honda. He made this move after Aleix Espargaro, who transitioned from Aprilia to Honda, joining the company as a test rider.

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Insights into Loic Serra's modifications to Ferrari could address Lewis Hamilton's vulnerabilities

New information reveals Ferrari's strategy for their 2025 F1 vehicle…

Loic Serra, who recently joined Ferrari, is significantly impacting the development of Ferrari's car for the 2025 season, and this might lead to a resurgence for Lewis Hamilton.

As reported by Motorsport.it, Serra has been concentrating on the suspension system of the new Ferrari and its connection with the Pirelli tires.

A challenge Ferrari encountered in their 2024 season was that they were gentler on their tires compared to their competitors.

This resulted in Ferrari frequently experiencing significant wear on their rear tires during the races.

However, there was a significant drawback: their speed during the qualifying rounds.

As Ferrari aims to get back to winning championships, they need to concentrate on enhancing their performance in qualifying rounds, especially considering the expected strength of McLaren and Red Bull.

According to the report, Serra, who has recently made the switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, is focusing on various aspects of the suspension system, including the torsion bars and shock absorbers, in an effort to enhance the car's performance with the delicate Pirelli tires.

Ferrari aims to find a middle ground between their performance in qualifying sessions and during races. While they were outstanding in single-lap qualifying in 2023, they faced difficulties in the race season a year later.

Throughout the past year, it was common to see Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz having difficulties in the initial part of the race due to problems with warming up their tyres. Additionally, they often faced challenges towards the end of the lap as their tyres tended to overheat.

As Hamilton joins Ferrari, these modifications, aimed at enhancing their performance in qualifying sessions, will be well-received.

In 2024, Hamilton struggled the most in qualifying, as he was outperformed by George Russell in the head-to-head matchups, losing 19 times to Russell's 5 victories.

Ferrari is preparing for Hamilton's debut

On February 19, after the unveiling of their team, Hamilton is anticipated to have the opportunity to test drive the 2025 Ferrari Formula 1 car.

He is scheduled to test drive the 2022 Ferrari vehicle in a number of sessions to familiarize himself with his new engineering team before the official tests commence at the end of February.

According to reports, Ferrari has modified the cockpit position for the next season to help Hamilton get accustomed more easily.

The earlier mentioned report states that changes have been applied to the gearbox's carbon box, which improves the ability to balance weight more effectively.

Under Serra’s leadership, Ferrari is eager to break their Formula 1 championship dry spell, which has lasted since 2008.

Ferrari came close to winning the 2024 F1 constructors' championship but ultimately ended up 13 points short of McLaren.

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Enea Bastianini ends partnership with his MotoGP manager of many years due to KTM difficulties

Tech3 KTM racer signs with London-based MSM Group

Enea Bastianini, who has secured seven MotoGP race victories, has ended his professional relationship with his long-standing manager, Carlo Pernat, and has now partnered with the MSM agency located in London.

Bastianini is among the limited number of Italian riders in the top racing category who isn't backed by the VR46 Academy, as his career management has been overseen by Pernat.

In addition to managing Bastianini, Pernat has also worked as a manager for riders such as Andrea Iannone and Loris Capirossi throughout his career.

On Friday, MSM, which is located in London, revealed that it had reached an agreement for Bastianini to join them as his management team.

The cause behind Bastianini parting ways with Pernat remains unclear, although Pernat is now 76 years old.

This development coincides with Bastianini's uncertain future in MotoGP, as KTM faces a financial turmoil that might lead to its departure from the series in 2026. The company began a self-administration process at the end of last year as part of its efforts to restructure.

Bastianini has entered into a contract with KTM to compete for the Tech3 team beginning in 2025. Prior to this, he spent two years as a factory rider for Ducati.

The Italian individual will be managed by Enrico Zanarini, the CEO of MSM. Zanarini has a background in motorsport, having previously managed Formula 1 drivers such as Eddie Irvine and Giancarlo Fisichella.

"Enea's drive to perform at the top tier matches our goals seamlessly," stated Zanarini.

"We are thrilled to back him as he strives for greatness."

Bastianini stated, "Joining forces with MSM signifies a fresh and hopeful chapter in my professional journey."

"With the specialized knowledge and committed assistance from MSM, I am certain we will accomplish remarkable outcomes, both in our performance and beyond."

"As the 2025 MotoGP season approaches, my resolve to compete at the top level is stronger than ever."

MSM boasts a wide range of motorsport professionals, including ex-Formula 1 racers such as Jean Alesi, Daniil Kvyat, Jacques Villeneuve, and Antonio Giovinazzi.

The company also represents former MotoGP and World Superbike star Max Biaggi, along with F1 Academy driver Hamda Al Qubaisi and her sister Amna.

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Enea Bastianini parts ways with his long-term MotoGP manager during KTM turmoil

Tech3 KTM racer aligns with London-headquartered MSM Group

Enea Bastianini, who has achieved victory in seven MotoGP races, has ended his partnership with his long-time manager Carlo Pernat and has now signed with the London-based agency MSM.

Bastianini stands out as one of the rare Italian riders in the top-tier racing category who is not affiliated with the VR46 Academy, as his career management has been overseen by Pernat up to this point.

In addition to managing Bastianini, Pernat has also acted as the manager for Andrea Iannone and Loris Capirossi in the past.

On Friday, MSM, a company located in London, revealed that it has secured a deal to manage Bastianini as his new management team.

The cause behind Bastianini's separation from Pernat is unclear, although the experienced manager is currently 76 years old.

Bastianini's future in MotoGP is now uncertain due to KTM's current financial troubles. The company, having entered self-administration at the end of last year, might leave the series as part of its restructuring plans by 2026.

Bastianini inked a contract for several years with KTM, committing to compete for Tech3 in 2025, after spending the last two years as a factory rider for Ducati.

The Italian will be managed by MSM CEO Enrico Zanarini, who has a background in motorsport, having previously managed Formula 1 drivers such as Eddie Irvine and Giancarlo Fisichella.

"Enea's commitment to reaching the top tier of competition fits seamlessly with our goals," stated Zanarini.

"We are thrilled to back him as he strives for greatness."

Bastianini mentioned that teaming up with MSM represents a fresh and hopeful chapter in his professional journey.

With the specialized knowledge and unwavering assistance of MSM, I am certain that we will attain outstanding outcomes both in our performance and in other areas.

"As we approach the 2025 MotoGP season, my resolve to perform at the top of my game is stronger than ever."

MSM boasts a wide range of motorsport talents, including ex-Formula 1 drivers such as Jean Alesi, Daniil Kvyat, Jacques Villeneuve, and Antonio Giovinazzi.

The company also acts as representatives for Max Biaggi, who is a former star in both MotoGP and World Superbike, in addition to F1 Academy competitor Hamda Al Qubaisi and her sister Amna.

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Christian Horner addresses the exit of important Red Bull F1 team members.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner remains unfazed by the departure of crucial staff.

Christian Horner has sought to minimize the significance of two key individuals leaving Red Bull before the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Renowned designer Adrian Newey is set to become Aston Martin's managing technical partner starting on March 2. This move comes after Newey, a 65-year-old from Britain, chose to depart from Red Bull, where he spent two decades in Milton Keynes.

Jonathan Wheatley, who previously served as the sporting director for Red Bull, has departed the team. He is set to take on the role of team principal at Sauber, as they prepare for their transition to Audi in 2026.

However, Christian Horner, the head of the Red Bull team, asserts that they can maintain their success even in the absence of Newey and Wheatley.

"There are just two people involved, and since Adrian departed in Miami, we haven't had any contact with him. He has been focusing on the RB17 project since that time, meaning he hasn't been involved in any Formula 1 work," Horner explained to Motorsport.

It's clear that their departure is disappointing. Both individuals have significantly contributed to the team during their time with us.

"The performance continues, and I believe we possess both the resilience and the resources needed. We are preparing for 2026, which presents the greatest challenge and most daring undertaking this team has ever faced with the development of our own power unit."

"In 2025, Jonathan will leave his position on the pitwall, but aside from that, nothing else will change."

Red Bull's Strategy: Evolution Over Rebuilding

Horner has rejected claims that Red Bull must "rebuild" their team after recent departures. He believes the team is simply undergoing a phase of "evolution."

Horner clarified that describing the situation as a rebuild is an exaggeration, given that only two individuals have departed. He suggested that it is more accurately characterized as a process of evolution.

"This has been anticipated for some time and has been included in the plans for a while now."

As Red Bull undergoes restructuring, Max Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is set to take on a more significant position.

Horner has announced that Lambiase will continue to serve as the race engineer for the four-time world champion. The Dutch driver is aiming to achieve a feat similar to Michael Schumacher by securing five consecutive world titles by 2025.

"Indeed, he will continue collaborating directly with Max. However, as he advances, his responsibilities will naturally expand," Horner explained.

Being at the track with those team members is simply a natural evolution. It's fantastic because it provides them with opportunities, and if an organization doesn't move forward, it risks becoming stagnant and not advancing.

"I believe this is a great chance for many long-term team members to advance, as they truly deserve this opportunity."

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Luca Marini leads the pack, with Valentino Rossi in 6th place and Michael Dunlop in 45th at the Tavullia event. These are the standings from the free practice session of Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions.

On Thursday, Luca Marini led the field during the practice session at Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions event.

Rossi's yearly event is set for Friday and Saturday, but competitors from different racing series gathered a day in advance to train on the dirt course.

Honda MotoGP standout Marini took the lead in the initial stages.

GPOne has announced the sequence of events

Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop, both victors of the Isle of Man TT races, found themselves at the end of the lineup following their initial laps in Tavullia.

Pedro Acosta failed to log any time.

The Americana race is scheduled to happen on Friday evening.

In the previous year, Marini emerged as the winner in the Americana, which suggests a promising outlook for him once more.

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Aston Martin's leadership changes came as a surprise, but Mike Krack had previously hinted at them. According to Lewis Larkam, significant shifts within the company had been suggested in the past few months.

Significant transformations are taking place at Aston Martin just before the start of the 2025 F1 season.

On Friday, Aston Martin revealed a significant shake-up in their management team, appointing CEO Andy Cowell as the new team principal, a role formerly occupied by Mike Krack.

Krack, who took on the role of team principal in 2022, has now been reassigned to the newly created position of chief trackside officer. In this capacity, he will oversee the performance at each grand prix event in 2025.

Enrico Cardille, previously in charge of Ferrari's chassis operations, is set to lead the development efforts at the factory as the chief technical officer. He will be responsible for managing the design, structure, and construction of new racing vehicles. The exact date when Cardille will begin his new role has not been announced yet.

Tom McCullough, formerly the performance director, will stay with the organization. Aston Martin refers to his new role as a "leadership position," where he will be crucial in helping the team grow into more racing categories.

Aston Martin's statement did not refer to the renowned designer Adrian Newey, who is set to become the managing technical partner at the Silverstone team on March 2, after leaving Red Bull.

Aston Martin has stated that the modifications were made to provide "clearer leadership" and to transition towards a "more streamlined organizational structure."

Cowell, who led Mercedes' F1 engine department from 2008 to 2020, is stepping into the position of team principal for the first time.

A 55-year-old British individual took on the role of group CEO at Aston Martin in October of the previous year. Over the past few months, they have been assessing strategies to maximize the team's performance, aligning with owner Lawrence Stroll's high aspirations for the team to emerge as world championship contenders in the near future.

Cowell mentioned that over the past three months, he has been evaluating and analyzing their performance. He expressed his admiration for the team's dedication, commitment, and hard work.

As we finalize the construction of the AMR Technology Campus and gear up to become a fully independent team in 2026, we are on the path to establishing ourselves as a team capable of winning championships.

"These changes within the organization are a natural progression of the long-term strategies we've set in motion, and I'm extremely enthusiastic about what lies ahead."

Did Mike Krack Suggest a Possible Reorganization?

Although the reorganization might appear unexpected to outsiders, Krack seemed to allude to potential adjustments during an exclusive interview with Crash.net at the final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

At the beginning of 2023, Aston Martin came out strong, positioning themselves as the closest competitors to Red Bull after the winter break. Fernando Alonso, a two-time champion, secured podium finishes in six of the first eight races. However, the team's performance has significantly declined since then.

In 2023, Aston Martin's competitors surpassed them in terms of development, and this worrisome pattern persisted into 2024. During this season, the team didn't achieve a podium finish and accumulated less than half of the 280 points they had secured the year before.

Aston Martin maintained its position in fifth place in the constructors' championship for the second consecutive year, suggesting consistency on the surface. However, in practical terms, the team actually lost ground to the top Formula 1 teams, instead of narrowing the distance to the leaders.

Krack confessed to Crash.net that Aston Martin had to evaluate themselves critically following their inability to achieve their goals.

Krack mentioned that this is a time for introspection. He pointed out that these challenges have been present for around 18 months, dating back to the middle of 2023. It's not something that can be dismissed as an isolated incident.

"We have observed repeatedly that our progress in performance development has not met expectations. It's essential to examine this issue closely. We are actively investigating the matter since the team has expanded rapidly."

"You possess an established framework. What is our organizational setup? What are our methods and communication channels during performance development? It's crucial to recognize that our current approach is not yielding successful outcomes. Therefore, we need to re-evaluate our process."

"Currently, we are engaged in these activities and need to talk about potential modifications or if there's a need to adjust any of our procedures."

In November, the initial alterations occurred when Dan Fallows resigned from his position as technical director, having held the role for two years. This decision was influenced by Cowell.

In the weeks leading up to the start of the new season, Cowell has further solidified his influence at Aston Martin by implementing another major restructuring of the team's leadership.

It remains to be seen if Aston Martin's performance will improve in the final year before the introduction of new regulations in 2026, which are expected to disrupt the current hierarchy.

Aston Martin plans to seriously challenge the top teams in Formula 1 by 2026, thanks to Honda joining as their engine collaborator, the launch of a cutting-edge wind tunnel, and the complete involvement of Newey.

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Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. By providing on-the-ground coverage, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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The Formula 1 racer who lost his spot before debuting

The overlooked tale of a Formula 1 driver who was removed from his team before even starting a race…

Having participated in only a single F1 race, Jack Doohan is already facing significant pressure to retain his position with Alpine for the 2025 season.

On Thursday, Alpine revealed that Franco Colapinto has been brought on board from Williams under a "multi-year" contract to serve as their latest test and reserve driver.

With numerous rumors swirling about Colapinto and Flavio Briatore's interest, it seems that Doohan's stint in Formula 1 may not last long.

Alpine has confirmed that Doohan will be driving at the beginning of the season, yet the Australian finds himself in a progressively uncomfortable situation.

For Doohan, he had the opportunity to make his Formula 1 debut with Alpine, taking over for Esteban Ocon during the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

A Brazilian driver named Luiz Razia was contracted by a Formula 1 team but did not participate in the season's opening race.

In 2013, the small team Marussia decided to go with two new Formula 1 drivers, choosing Razia and British racer Max Chilton for their lineup.

Marussia was among the trio of teams that entered the racing circuit at the beginning of 2010.

As of 2013, HRT had disappeared from the racing scene, whereas Marussia and Caterham had not yet managed to secure any points.

In a bid to stay afloat in the Formula 1 circuit, Marussia brought Razia on board primarily because of the substantial financial support he offered.

The Brazilian driver stepped in to take the place of seasoned racer Timo Glock for the next season, which, at least theoretically, resulted in a significant downgrade of their driving team.

Razia was elevated from the position of reserve driver to a full-time driver quite late, with the confirmation only arriving in February, coinciding with the start of the 2013 pre-season testing.

Razia's departure opens the door for Ferrari's young talent. Three weeks later, Marussia let go of Razia because his sponsors from Brazil failed to make their second payment.

In an interview with Autosport, team leader John Booth detailed the choice, saying, "We have been compelled to end our agreement with Luiz Razia."

"After establishing the foundation for our operations in 2013 and implementing the necessary changes to support this new framework, we had no choice but to adhere to the fundamental principles we had determined were essential for ensuring our long-term success."

This meant that Razia, even though he had signed with the team, never had the chance to participate in his first Formula 1 race.

Remarkably, what initially seemed unfortunate turned out to be advantageous, as Marussia managed to secure Ferrari's promising young talent, Jules Bianchi.

Bianchi thrived with the team, achieving their initial points during the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix.

The French driver's impressive showings might have secured him a potential spot with Ferrari if not for the unfortunate crash he experienced at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014.

In challenging weather at Suzuka, Bianchi's car went out of control and ended up sliding beneath a recovery vehicle.

He remained in a medically induced coma for the next nine months before sadly dying on July 17, 2015.

The impact of Bianchi's legacy is still evident in Formula 1, particularly through the implementation of the Halo safety feature.

He was also the godparent of Charles Leclerc, who currently drives for Ferrari.

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Connor, with a keen sense for the controversies and narratives in Formula 1, is central to our fair and impartial reporting.

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The Day of Champions won't take place at the 2025 British MotoGP, as it will be substituted with a "new format". After 34 years, the Day of Champions has been discontinued because of changes to the British MotoGP weekend schedule.

For 34 years, the Day of Champions event has been held before the British Grand Prix, but it will not occur in 2025.

Two Wheels for Life, the organization behind the Day of Champions since its inception at Brands Hatch in 1989, has revealed that the event will not be held during this year's MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The organization responsible for raising funds, partnering with the charity Riders for Health to provide motorcycles for healthcare professionals in remote African regions, has announced that the "Day of Champions," once filled with a "full day of activities," has been discontinued because of a "new schedule" implemented by Silverstone.

The statement indicates that events will occur over the weekend, aiming to present "the best of Day of Champions" in a new way. Details of this format will be revealed in the weeks ahead.

Andrea Coleman, who co-founded and serves as CEO of Two Wheels for Life, stated that the inaugural Day of Champions event occurred in 1989 at Brands Hatch.

"Throughout the years, we have created something unique in the motorcycle community, with the help of our amazing employees and volunteers, the competitors and their teams, and our dedicated fans, some of whom have been attending for all 34 years."

"We are thrilled to have secured significant funds to aid in providing healthcare services throughout Africa."

"Although we're disappointed to bid farewell to Day of Champions, we understand that change is a part of life. We're eager to embark on new initiatives that provide MotoGP enthusiasts with unparalleled experiences and opportunities to contribute to life-saving motorcycle projects."

The concept of Day of Champions was initially thought up by ex-Grand Prix racers Randy Mamola and Kenny Roberts. The goal was to allow fans to interact closely with their favorite riders while also raising funds for a charitable cause, specifically, the organization Riders for Health.

Following the conclusion of the Day of Champions event, Two Wheels for Life has announced that it is in discussions with Dorna, the MotoGP rights holder, to broaden its initiatives at different circuits in 2025. They are considering organizing new events, and details about these plans are expected to be released in the near future.

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

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