The experience of competing for Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team brings both "pride" and "pressure." According to Morbidelli, being part of the VR46 team means facing "high expectations."

Franco Morbidelli acknowledges that he feels "additional pressure" as he prepares to join Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team in 2025. However, he also expresses that the opportunity "makes him proud."

At 29 years old, this individual stands out as one of the most successful members of the VR46 Academy. He made history by becoming the academy's first world champion in 2017 in the Moto2 category and later achieved its first MotoGP race victory at the San Marino Grand Prix in 2020.

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However, prior to joining the VR46 Ducati team for the 2025 season, Morbidelli had never competed under the team of MotoGP icon Rossi.

The Italian rider first appeared with the team on the GP24 bike, which he used throughout the 2024 season with Pramac, during the post-season test in Barcelona. After completing 52 laps, he secured the seventh position.

Familiar with the team, Morbidelli expressed after the test that they need to harness the "special" atmosphere among them to come together as a cohesive group.

Competing for Rossi carries a special kind of pressure for an Italian racer, yet Morbidelli is welcoming this challenge with open arms.

"It makes me proud, but it also adds more pressure," he mentioned.

Being part of Valentino Rossi's team establishes a very high standard, in my view, and we aim to fulfill these expectations moving forward.

"I find consistency with the bike remaining unchanged. Though people around me shift, they're familiar faces, making the transition minor."

In 2024, Morbidelli transitioned to Ducati with the Pramac team, reviving his status as a regular top 10 contender following two challenging seasons with Yamaha's factory team.

Despite facing difficulties throughout the year in matching the performances of the other GP24 competitors, he succeeded in securing a podium finish at the San Marino GP sprint.

Looking back at 2024, he remarked, "I'll recall all the progress we achieved in each session, every weekend, and every instance when we noticed there was more than what we had in the prior grand prix."

"This year has been wonderful to witness and be a part of."

"We've made significant progress and are now leading in our category. Although there's one final hurdle to overcome, our advancements have been substantial."

Franco Morbidelli faced setbacks in his preparations for the upcoming season due to a concussion he sustained during a training mishap at Portimao.

He was absent for the entire winter testing period and confessed later that year that he experienced memory loss for two weeks following the accident.

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"Recognize the achievements," calls for accolades for the leading MotoGP racer not on a Ducati

"He's widely admired, not solely for his performance but for his character as well"

KTM MotoGP test rider Pol Espargaro expressed that Brad Binder's performance in the 2024 season deserves recognition, despite the lack of notable achievements.

Binder quickly became a favorite within the KTM ranks following his championship victory in the Moto3 category in 2016. The South African rider has been competitive in the Moto2 series, chasing titles, and impressively clinched a MotoGP race win just three events into his career in the premier class.

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Since 2021, he has consistently been the highest-ranked rider on a KTM in the standings and has also been the leading rider not on a Ducati in the championship for two consecutive years.

Binder managed to secure podium finishes in just two of the twenty races in the 2024 season, both achievements occurring during the season's first weekend in Qatar. However, his steady performance within the top eight across the races guaranteed him a fifth-place finish in the overall standings.

He finished with a two-point advantage over his KTM teammate Pedro Acosta, who secured nine podium finishes in both sprints and grand prix races during his debut season.

Espargaro, currently acting as KTM's test rider for the 2024 season, believes Binder’s steady performance is quite a feat in today’s MotoGP landscape and merits significant recognition.

"Maintaining consistent performance is the toughest aspect of MotoGP," Espargaro explained to MotoGP's global broadcast during the test in Barcelona.

"Regardless of possessing incredible skills, such as Brad does – he's a deeply earnest individual. I found myself in a conversation with someone, discussing Brad's profound seriousness."

"With Brad as a member of the squad, it's a certainty that he'll always put in his utmost effort."

"He will never give up. It's truly remarkable, as he demonstrated throughout the year."

"Indeed, this year didn't bring the finest results or top finishes. Additionally, it's important to acknowledge that KTM didn't meet the performance expectations we had hoped for."

"Yet, he persisted, striving tirelessly, as he contended for a spot among the top five in the championship, an incredible feat."

"In a season where not everything aligns perfectly, securing a spot in the top five of the championship is truly remarkable."

"We should really acknowledge Brad's efforts. He's incredibly dedicated and remains modest about his achievements."

"He excels in fostering teamwork and is well-liked by all. It's not just his achievements that draw people to him, but also his character, a rare quality to come across."

Binder will continue his tenure with the KTM factory team until the close of 2026, while Acosta is set to team up with him in the upcoming year for his second season.

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Aprilia's leader cautions against undervaluing a certain MotoGP rookie's growth potential. "Having a rookie is advantageous as they bring fresh perspectives," he states.

The CEO of Aprilia, Massimo Rivola, has cautioned against undervaluing the developmental contribution that MotoGP newcomer Ai Ogura could offer in 2025.

The Italian company began 2024 on a high note, securing a win in the United States thanks to Maverick Vinales, but ultimately finished third in the constructors' rankings.

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The latter part of the season was particularly challenging, with Aprilia facing many difficulties as they attempted to resolve the various problems plaguing the RS-GP.

Explore further: The initial indications of promise during Jorge Martin's first test outing with Aprilia in MotoGP.

The development of next year's bike faces challenges due to Aprilia having an entirely new team, with the exception of Raul Fernandez. Additionally, Fabiano Sterlacchini has taken over the role of technical director from Romano Albesiano.

Moto2 world champion Ogura, part of Aprilia's team, made his first appearance on the Aprilia during the post-season test in Barcelona.

Although Ogura is not expected to immediately drive bike development, Rivola thinks that his new outlook might offer significant advantages.

During the Barcelona test, Rivola explained to MotoGP’s world feed that having a rookie is beneficial because they approach things with a fresh perspective and without preconceived notions.

"I believe he can add extra value."

"I wouldn't downplay the importance of having a talented and quick rookie like Ai to help boost our performance speed."

"Our team has a great mix of skill and youth. The average age is fairly young, suggesting we likely have a promising future ahead."

Rivola considers having a new team as "a chance" and not something that would slow down progress.

He expresses that he likes to view it as a chance.

"I prefer to view it as extra motivation. I'm excited about the upcoming season."

"We acknowledge that we are not flawless, but we believe that with our team of riders, we can attain impressive results."

Bezzecchi's exceptional skills are expected to enhance Aprilia's performance. Marco Bezzecchi, who finished second in the 2023 rankings, will team up with 2024 world champion Jorge Martin at the official Aprilia team.

Rivola has expressed that Bezzecchi possesses "unique talents" and agreed with Aleix Espargaro's previous remarks, suggesting that the ex-VR46 Ducati racer's technique is likely to complement the RS-GP effectively.

“Marco is an incredibly kind person,” said Rivola.

"He demonstrated some truly exceptional abilities last year. I concur with Aleix in believing that the bike and his traits are likely to complement each other well."

Marco's initial impressions were positive, which is crucial. However, the journey to reaching the peak is lengthy, and we are noticing that many rivals are consistently improving.

"This development will significantly benefit the championship."

"We observe that the Japanese brands are progressing quickly, and we also notice the presence of three newcomers. I'm particularly pleased with the work Ai is doing. This season promises to be exciting."

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Cost determined for enthusiasts to purchase Valentino Rossi collectibles to support Valencia tragedy victims

Discover how you can acquire Valentino Rossi collectibles here

Valentino Rossi has contributed a helmet autographed by him to support the Spanish Red Cross, Cruz Roja, in their mission to assist Valencia's residents affected by the devastating floods in late October.

The headgear in question is the AGV Pista GP RR model, adorned with the 'Soleluna' pattern that was unique to Rossi's last MotoGP season in 2021. Additionally, it boasts Rossi's autograph on its right side.

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As of this moment, the auction, which is being managed by CharityStars, has 10 days left before it concludes on December 6th at 8:00 PM GMT. The starting bid has been set at €3,000, which is approximately £2,500.

Check out this Instagram update shared by MotoGP™ (@motogp)

Rossi is not the only MotoGP competitor, whether current or former, to have offered support to Valencia following the floods that occurred there last month.

In early November, the 2024 Moto3 World Champion, David Alonso, teamed up with the leader of the Aspar Team, Jorge Martinez 'Aspar', to participate in a clean-up initiative in Valencia.

Jaume Masia, who clinched the 2023 Moto3 World Championship and now competes in Moto2, participated in the clean-up efforts. In a similar vein, Maverick Vinales, who races for Aprilia in MotoGP, contributed by donating his 2013 Calvo KTM, the motorcycle he rode to victory in the 2013 Moto3 championship, to the same auction that featured Rossi's helmet.

Additional lots featured in the sale encompass a fairing from Dani Pedrosa's KTM, Aleix Espargaro's personal paddock scooter, and the previously mentioned 2024 Moto2 bike belonging to Masia from the Preicanos team.

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

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Schedule for Final 2025 MotoGP Tests Announced

Three In-Season Tests Planned for 2025

The MotoGP season for the year 2025 will include three tests during the season itself, in addition to two pre-season sessions and the customary day of testing after the season concludes.

The schedule for testing in the 2025 season began on Tuesday after the Solidarity Grand Prix, which took place in Barcelona.

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The activity will start again in Malaysia from February 5 to February 7 next year. Before that, there will be a three-day preliminary session for test riders and newcomers at Sepang, scheduled from January 31 to February 2.

The last pre-season test is scheduled for February 12-13 in Buriram, as teams prepare for the 2025 season, which kicks off with the Thai Grand Prix on February 28.

Dorna Sports has revealed plans to conduct in-season testing over three days in 2025.

The initial event is scheduled for April 28, immediately succeeding the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez. The next session will take place on Monday, June 9, right after the Aragon Grand Prix.

The last in-season testing session is scheduled for September 15, following the San Marino Grand Prix. This event has traditionally served as the initial chance for manufacturers to test their prototypes for the upcoming year on the track.

The final test of the year is scheduled for the Tuesday following the conclusion of the Valencia GP, and it also serves as the initial test for 2026.

During the season, Ducati's Michele Pirro will only have the chance to join the current lineup during scheduled test days, unless he is summoned to fill in for another rider. This is because the Italian bike maker is unable to enter any wildcard entries due to its concession status.

The Moto3 class will have their pre-season testing on February 10th and 11th, while the Moto2 class will conduct theirs on February 12th and 13th, both at the Portimao circuit.

The sanctioned pre-season testing for both categories is scheduled to take place from February 18 to 20 at Jerez.

The Moto2 events are scheduled for May 13th at Le Mans and July 21st at Brno. Meanwhile, Moto3 races will take place on May 12th in France and July 22nd in Czechia.

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LCR Honda chief highlights unnoticed bright spot amidst challenging season

Lucio Cecchinello offers a glimpse of hope for 2025

LCR team leader Lucio Cecchinello has stated that his team solidified its collaboration with Honda during the Japanese brand's challenging 2024 season.

Since 2006, Honda and LCR have collaborated as a satellite team in MotoGP, achieving four grand prix victories between 2016 and 2022, thanks to riders Cal Crutchlow and Alex Rins.

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The past three years have proven to be particularly challenging, with the performance of the RC213V declining significantly. This has resulted in Honda occupying the bottom position in the constructors' standings from 2022 to 2024.

LCR and Johann Zarco managed to alleviate some of Honda's challenges in 2024, with Zarco being the top performer for the brand in the standings at 17th place and securing their highest grand prix finish of eighth at the Thailand GP.

Zarco's performance secured his role as a crucial contributor to the bike's evolution, with Cecchinello disclosing that the collaboration between his squad and Honda is at its peak.

"Indeed, we gathered an extensive amount of data, and notably, this year, our collaboration with HRC was tighter than it has ever been. Our engineers also engaged more closely with HRC, sharing a wealth of data and information, including video measurements, among other things," he shared with the MotoGP world feed at the Barcelona test following the season.

"Thus, we now possess a more precise understanding of the areas where our developmental focus needs to be directed."

"Throughout the winter, we'll definitely be getting the 2025 motorcycle ready. The version we'll bring to Sepang in 2025 will closely resemble the model we're currently evaluating in Barcelona."

"We anticipate an improvement in rear traction, as our riders frequently express concerns regarding mechanical grip."

"We aim to enhance the machine's maneuverability and its ability to slow down. These are key areas we are concentrating on for improvement."

In 2025, Honda's engineering squad will be bolstered with the addition of Romano Albesiano, formerly of Aprilia, stepping in as technical director. His tenure officially commences in January 2025.

Although Albesiano has not started his role at Honda, Cecchinello views his hiring as an indication that the Japanese brand recognizes the necessary steps it must take to achieve success once more.

"Cecchinello expressed, "It didn't exactly catch me off guard."

"This indicates that Honda understands the evolving landscape of MotoGP, acknowledging that even highly skilled manufacturers must have top talent who possess specialized expertise in crafting MotoGP motorcycles."

Honda boasts highly skilled engineers. However, in terms of logistics, MotoGP heavily relies on competitions in Europe, utilizing European suppliers, and the technology from Formula 1 is making its way into MotoGP.

"Japan might not be the ideal location for creating a MotoGP bike."

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Marc Marquez discusses a mental revival in the 2024 MotoGP season.

"A year ago, I was filled with uncertainty and had numerous doubts…"

In 2023, Marc Marquez nearly decided to retire from motorcycle racing. However, his enthusiasm to stay in the sport was reignited after he transitioned to a more competitive bike.

Following his impressive achievement of securing six MotoGP championships over seven seasons, Marquez faced ongoing injury issues from 2020 to 2022. During the times he was able to compete, he noticed that the Honda RC213V, which he had been riding since 2013, was consistently underperforming relative to its competitors.

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In 2024, Marquez joined the Gresini team and began riding a year-old Ducati bike. This change helped him regain his competitive form, allowing him to fight for podium finishes and eventually secure a victory.

Marquez stated to MotoGP.com that the decision he made last year has proven successful for him. Otherwise, he would have declared his retirement this year.

"A year ago, I was filled with uncertainty and had numerous questions. However, over the course of the year, all those doubts vanished, and I returned to a competitive state."

"We won't refer to the standards of 2019; instead, we'll focus on maintaining a competitive level that's sufficient to keep driving forward, keep working hard, and, most importantly, preserve the unique spirit of MotoGP."

"We experience once more the triumph, the podium, and the unique intensity that comes with competing at the highest level."

Marquez shared that his period without victories, despite his numerous triumphs since joining the top tier in 2013 and even earlier back in 2010 when he began claiming wins in the 125cc category, allowed him to alter his viewpoint on achieving success in MotoGP.

"When you go a long while without experiencing the joy of winning, you begin to lose that memory," he remarked.

"However, once you experience it again, following the wins in Aragon and Misano, the desire intensifies. It's addictive, and you crave it repeatedly."

"I appreciated it even more this time, as winning used to be a regular occurrence, but now we realize that victories are not always guaranteed."

"Winning provides a significant boost to your confidence. After enduring several challenging years, including four arm surgeries and a string of poor performances, doubts begin to creep in. You start questioning whether the issue lies with the bike, your own abilities, or your physical state."

"You have to gradually address each of those questions and regain confidence by achieving podium finishes, performing well in races, securing pole positions, winning Sprint events, and ultimately clinching victories in the main races, which was extremely crucial."

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

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2024 MotoGP competitor aims high, striving to match the skills of Marquez and Bagnaia. "I enjoy setting objectives that are tangible and achievable."

Fabio Di Giannantonio has ambitiously set his sights on reaching "the same level as Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia" while riding the GP25 Ducati MotoGP motorcycle.

The racer, who had previously won a grand prix, found his MotoGP career hanging in the balance until VR46 stepped in at the last moment to offer a lifeline at the conclusion of the 2023 season. He made sure to make the most of this unexpected chance.

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Throughout the 2024 season, Di Giannantonio consistently outperformed all other GP23 riders, except for Marc Marquez. Despite having to sit out the final two races due to shoulder surgery following an injury at the Austrian GP, he still managed to surpass his VR46 team-mate, Marco Bezzecchi, in the overall standings.

Di Giannantonio's performance was so remarkable that Ducati has decided to provide him with the last GP25 bike for next year's grid, joining its factory team riders Marquez and Bagnaia.

Although Di Giannantonio is recovering from surgery more successfully than anticipated, he is not setting specific results-oriented goals for himself. Instead, he aspires to match the competitive performance of Marquez and Bagnaia.

When questioned about his expectations for the upcoming season, Di Giannantonio expressed that he prefers not to set goals based on outcomes.

"I prefer to set objectives based on practical matters."

"I aim to develop myself, enhance my abilities, and gain knowledge from them. I strive to reach their standard."

"I'm uncertain about what this stage will bring or where we might end up."

"The outcomes depend on numerous factors, including injuries, results, accidents, and decisions."

"The ultimate outcome is hard to predict. However, I aim to reach the same standard as Marc Marquez and Bagnaia in the coming year."

Di Giannantonio, as a member of the Ducati team, has been able to review the data from renowned riders such as Bagnaia, Marquez, and the 2024 world champion Jorge Martin.

He claims that the data indicates his performance "wasn't too far off" from Ducati's top riders, yet it also highlights areas for potential improvement.

"When asked about what distinguishes each Ducati rider, he replied, 'Each rider has their own unique strengths.'"

Marc shows exceptional skill when navigating the left corners, demonstrating impressive ability. However, his performance tends to decline when it comes to handling the right corners, where he often falls short.

"Pecco excels when it comes to braking; he might be the top Ducati rider in that aspect."

Bastianini excelled at maintaining the condition of his tires towards the conclusion of the race.

"Martin has the potential to significantly impact the qualifying sessions."

"I was focusing on analyzing Martin and Pecco, and occasionally Marquez too, since we were all using the same motorcycle."

"Fortunately, my performance this year has been quite decent, so the gap isn't significant. We definitely have several areas that need enhancement, and I will certainly keep analyzing them."

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KTM seeks to avoid insolvency through reorganization

KTM outlines their strategy to address financial issues

The Pierer Mobility Group has revealed that KTM is opting for voluntary reorganization to sidestep insolvency due to the company's continuing financial difficulties.

KTM has faced significant monetary challenges, prompting the company to undertake severe actions lately. This included reducing its board of directors from six members to just two, alongside implementing multiple phases of employee reductions.

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In the past few weeks, it has been announced that KTM plans to dismiss up to an additional 300 staff members, with all manufacturing operations coming to a halt in January and February.

This development follows a dramatic 90% drop in its stock value from its highest point in February 2022, as the company anticipates challenges in obtaining the required funding, amounting to a sum in the high hundreds of millions.

It is now set to file for insolvency in Austria, with plans to separate and reorganize the KTM brand as a strategy to prevent filing for bankruptcy.

The complete announcement states: “KTM AG, entirely owned by Pierer Mobility AG, intends to request the commencement of court-supervised reorganization processes under its own management on November 29, 2024.

KTM AG is currently in need of funding that reaches into the high hundreds of millions. The company's executives no longer believe they will successfully obtain the required short-term financing promptly.

Today, the Executive Board of KTM AG made the decision to submit a request to commence court-supervised reorganization processes, allowing for self-management of the assets belonging to KTM AG and its subsidiaries, KTM Components GmbH and KTM F&E GmbH.

"The process allows for the continued oversight and management of assets, enabling the KTM Group to independently restructure. It's important to note that this situation does not impact other subsidiaries of KTM AG, especially the sales branches."

The objective of the process is to reach a consensus on a restructuring scheme with the creditors within a three-month period. By reshaping the group, the goal is not only to ensure the KTM Group's long-term viability but also to lay the groundwork for it to emerge more robust from the process.

A restructuring of manufacturing processes is expected to result in a steady reduction of surplus inventory at KTM and its associated dealerships within the upcoming two years.

"This is expected to lead to a decrease in operational efficiency at the Austrian locations, amounting to more than €1 billion across 2025 and 2026."

The reorganization effort is expected to lead to further potential financial drawbacks, including singular expenses like mandatory devaluations (for instance, for capitalized development expenses) and expenses related to workforce downsizing, as well as a decrease in fixed cost coverage owing to diminished operational efficiency and various expenses stemming from the reorganization effort.

"As a result, the company anticipates reporting a substantial annual net loss, projected to be in the upper hundreds of millions, for the fiscal year 2024, owing to the previously mentioned factors."

KTM's Chief Executive Officer, Pierer, stated: "In the last thirty years, our company has expanded to be the biggest maker of motorcycles in Europe.

"Our products motivate millions of motorbike enthusiasts globally. Currently, we're pausing to look ahead. The KTM brand represents the culmination of my life's efforts, and I am committed to defending it."

KTM has emphasized in the past week that its MotoGP initiative will proceed as planned in 2025, despite the financial challenges the company is facing.

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Honda's factory team concludes their 2024 season with a private test session in Jerez. The HRC team has been actively participating at Jerez.

The Honda MotoGP factory team concluded their year by conducting a final private testing session at the Jerez circuit.

The 2024 season marked Honda's most challenging period in recent times, as the team was unable to finish in the top five in any grand prix and experienced its third season without a victory in the past five years.

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Honda secured the last position in the constructors' ranking, accumulating only 75 points. This total was 49 points behind their Japanese competitor Yamaha and a significant 647 points away from Ducati.

At the Malaysian Grand Prix, Johann Zarco of LCR achieved the highest placement for HRC this year, securing eighth place, which was the team's sole top-eight finish on a Sunday throughout the year. Additionally, the French rider also finished in eighth place during the sprint race at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

Zarco led the Honda riders in the rankings, securing 17th place, while Takaaki Nakagami finished 19th, Joan Mir took the 21st spot, and Luca Marini ended up at the bottom of the full-time grid in 22nd position.

Throughout 2024, Honda has been actively conducting various private tests during the season, taking advantage of its position as a concession manufacturer.

However, advancements were gradual, with the biggest leap occurring post-San Marino GP, when a new aerodynamic package was introduced, enhancing cornering capabilities.

During the test session in Barcelona after the conclusion of the 2024 season, the responses from Honda's team were varied regarding the updates they introduced.

Mir expressed dissatisfaction because everything he tested was familiar to him, while his teammate Marini disagreed with this view.

Zarco mentioned that the 2025 chassis he tested did not represent an improvement, but he did not feel it necessary to become "stressed" over this issue.

In Barcelona, Marini mentioned that Honda is planning to experiment with some new and exciting developments during a private testing session at Jerez.

On Tuesday, the Jerez circuit saw Marini and HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro in action, followed by Mir and Zarco taking their turns on Wednesday.

Honda's activities happened at the same location where World Superbike testing was underway.

After retiring from full-time racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season, Espargaro will become a test rider for the Honda project.

He will collaborate with Ken Kawauchi, Honda’s previous technical director who transitioned to the test team this year, as Romano Albesiano, formerly with Aprilia, assumes Kawauchi's former role in the factory race team.

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Miguel Oliveira Highlights Substantial Yamaha Commitment to Pramac Initiative

"Yamaha is making a significant push to ensure uniformity in equipment across all motorcycles," Oliveira notes.

Should Miguel Oliveira have harbored any uncertainties regarding Yamaha's commitment to the fresh Pramac satellite collaboration, they would have been dispelled as he found himself surrounded by factory engineers at the Barcelona MotoGP Test.

After being represented exclusively by its factory team for the last two years, Yamaha is expanding its presence to four bikes on the grid for the upcoming season.

In a groundbreaking move within the MotoGP landscape, satellite bikes will match the full factory specs of those ridden by Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins in the Monster team, marking a first in the competition's history.

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For Oliveira, it represents the sole method to bridge the gap.

"Oliveira mentioned that for the first time ever, Yamaha is making a significant push to ensure that all bikes have the same quality of equipment, stating that this approach is undoubtedly the right direction."

"This is the sole strategy to match the pace of your rivals."

Since launching his MotoGP journey with Tech3 in 2019, Oliveira has competed for teams such as Red Bull KTM, RNF, and Trackhouse Aprilia.

The trial in Barcelona marked his initial encounter in collaborating and exchanging ideas with a manufacturer from Japan.

"Oliveira mentioned, 'It definitely stands out as unique. What's great is that you have to communicate in a straightforward manner, and then they confirm with you to ensure that your words accurately reflect your intentions.'"

"That's beneficial since, aside from the information, their only task is to analyze our remarks."

A notable development is that Oliveira, along with his colleague Jack Miller, has become qualified for independent MotoGP trials thanks to Yamaha's D category status.

"I'm prepared. I'm prepared to do some rounds and experiment," Oliveira expressed regarding a more extensive track schedule for 2025. "I was aware of what I was signing up for, and it's gratifying that we can offer this input and progress in this manner."

This additional testing grants entry to the Sepang Shakedown test happening next year, ahead of the Official test scheduled for early February.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ebb and flow of talent in the paddock, including the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in covering the story of Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Luca Marini presents a differing perspective on Honda compared to Joan Mir

Luca Marini issues a caution regarding development progress

Luca Marini has responded to statements made by his MotoGP teammate Joan Mir, who argued that Honda failed to introduce any innovations during the off-season test. However, Marini cautioned that improvements are expected to be gradual.

Mir was dissatisfied with the outcome of the previous week's test in Barcelona, describing it as “not productive” because all the equipment Honda provided for testing had been previously utilized.

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LCR's Johann Zarco mentioned that he tested a new motorcycle from Honda, but described the experience as "nothing positive." However, he also emphasized that it's too early to be overly concerned.

Conversely, Marini remarked that there was more for him to examine than anticipated, noting that the prototype for 2025 would definitely serve as the foundation for the Sepang test.

The Italian rider observed that the updated frame enhanced the bike's front-end performance, yet it failed to address the ongoing rear traction problems that have plagued the Honda throughout the season.

"I sincerely had quite a few options to explore on my end."

"I had anticipated having only a few things to test due to the initial plan, yet in the end, I encountered a considerable number of items: a novel prototype bike that will undoubtedly serve as the foundation for the Sepang test."

"Clearly, it hasn't reached the speed of the regular bike we used over the weekend, but we did discover a positive aspect."

"Undoubtedly, there's still a need to address the bike's persistent flaws, though certain aspects showed improvement while others fell short."

"This is typically expected for the initial trial of the 25th [bike]."

Regarding the updated chassis, he mentioned: "I believe there was a significant transformation, mainly because the framework alteration is substantial."

"At the forefront, there lies something beneficial, something optimistic.

"At the back end, there's still room for enhancement, yet there are numerous adjustments we have yet to explore given that the frame represents a significant modification."

"They didn't opt for a minor adjustment; instead, they implemented a significant transformation to grasp what lies ahead. However, some aspects might be beneficial, while others may not."

Marini pointed out that the chassis evaluation "wasn't conducted flawlessly," implying that any drawbacks observed might not be directly linked to the frame itself but rather to the broader motorcycle configuration.

Honda is set to be in Jerez this week for their last 2024 test session, where Marini mentions, "we'll see some fresh, and arguably more fascinating, updates."

When inquired about the possibility of Honda, who ended up at the bottom of the constructors' standings in 2024, making substantial progress by the first test of 2025, he responded, "I'm not sure. It feels somewhat premature before Sepang. We might have to wait until around mid-season to achieve a significant improvement."

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