Lewis Hamilton aims to steer clear of the unsuccessful Ferrari F1 tenures experienced by other top drivers. Will Hamilton be able to overcome the challenges faced by those before him and lead Ferrari to a championship victory in Formula 1?

One of the most talked-about narratives in the history of Formula 1 is Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari.

Ever since the announcement last February about the seven-time world champion's high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, the Formula 1 community has been eagerly anticipating the collaboration between two of the most legendary and influential entities in the sport.

After coming close to winning the constructors' championship last season, which would have been their first world title since 2008, McLaren narrowly edged out Ferrari. Now, Hamilton's goal is evident: assist Ferrari in putting an end to their lengthy dry spell without a trophy.

If Hamilton manages to secure a championship for Maranello, he would solidify his reputation as one of the all-time greats, becoming the first driver to achieve this feat since Kimi Raikkonen did in 2007.

If he achieves this feat, the 40-year-old would secure his eighth world title, setting a new record. This accomplishment would place Hamilton one championship ahead of the iconic Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven titles while racing for Ferrari.

The stories are enticingly presented, yet achieving these ambitions is often more complex than it seems in a plan. Prior to Hamilton, two other multiple-time world champions attempted this feat, but were unsuccessful.

This is a look at how the famous team of F1 has fared with the superstar drivers who preceded Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso became part of Ferrari following a disappointing two-year period with Renault. He aimed to be the catalyst for the Scuderia's comeback to victory.

After taking over from Raikkonen, Alonso's time with Ferrari kicked off with him almost clinching a championship right away.

The Spanish driver successfully closed a 47-point gap to catch up with Sebastian Vettel, taking the lead in the championship after securing a win in South Korea. Despite this, he was narrowly defeated by the Red Bull racer in a heartbreaking turn of events during the final race in Abu Dhabi. He found himself trapped behind Renault's Vitaly Petrov and, due to a strategic mistake by his team, he was unable to finish higher than seventh place.

Two years after his previous attempt, Alonso found himself competing for the championship once more, facing off against his rival Vettel. Similar to the 2010 season, the battle for the title was incredibly close, and Alonso experienced another disappointing loss decided by very small differences.

Throughout most of the season, Alonso was at the forefront of the championship race, even though his car was only the fourth quickest. However, a strong end-of-season performance by Red Bull and Vettel allowed the German driver to clinch the title, narrowly defeating Alonso by three points during a rain-soaked final race in Brazil.

If Alonso hadn't been removed from the race at Spa due to Romain Grosjean losing control, or collided with Raikkonen at Suzuka, he could have claimed his third world championship. In 2013, Alonso once again secured the second-place finish, but that year, Vettel and Red Bull had a superior setup, allowing them to comfortably clinch the championship in the latter half of the season.

Disappointed by Ferrari's inability to offer a competitive vehicle in a challenging 2014 season and frustrated by several close calls in championship races, Alonso decided to leave Ferrari two years before his contract ended and made a return to McLaren.

Vettel, a four-time world champion, joined Maranello after securing four titles in the past five years.

Sebastian Vettel became a part of the Ferrari team with the goal of achieving what Alonso couldn't and emulating his idol Schumacher by clinching the championship with the iconic Italian automaker.

In 2015, Vettel began his journey with promising results, securing three race wins and cementing his status as Ferrari's lead driver. However, it wasn't until the regulatory changes in 2017 that the team became competitive enough to vie for the championship title.

Throughout much of the 2017 season, Ferrari's car outpaced that of Mercedes, giving Sebastian Vettel an early lead in the championship battle against Lewis Hamilton. The two drivers frequently exchanged victories. However, an impulsive incident in Baku proved costly for Vettel. He lost his opportunity for a win by deliberately driving alongside Hamilton and colliding with him during a Safety Car period, resulting in a 10-second stop-go penalty for his actions.

Following the summer break, Hamilton experienced an exceptional streak of performance, while Vettel's chances at the championship took a significant hit when he was eliminated in Singapore. This race marked a crucial turning point in the 2017 season. Consecutive mechanical failures in Malaysia and Japan nearly extinguished Vettel's championship aspirations before Hamilton secured his fourth title in Mexico City.

The year 2018 held great promise for Ferrari and Vettel; however, despite having a substantial advantage with their car throughout much of the season, they ultimately fell short, with Hamilton and the Mercedes team coming out on top once again.

Vettel's performance was marred by numerous mistakes from both him and his team, with the most significant blunder taking place in Germany. There, while leading the race, Vettel crashed, allowing Hamilton to pull off an incredible victory despite starting in 14th position. Following the summer break, Hamilton maintained his dominant form, whereas Vettel struggled under pressure, missing out on another prime chance for success.

In 2019, Charles Leclerc, a promising talent nurtured by Ferrari, rose to prominence, signaling the decline of Sebastian Vettel's tenure with the team. Ultimately, Vettel's departure was driven by a mix of Leclerc's impressive performances and his own declining results, leading to a parting of ways and making room for Carlos Sainz to join in 2021.

After four years, Hamilton will have the opportunity to alter Ferrari's future. Can the British driver succeed and finally bring fortune to the Scuderia on this third attempt?

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Alpine has finalized a deal with Williams to sign Franco Colapinto for their driver lineup in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Alpine has declared that they have secured Franco Colapinto's services following a deal made with their Formula 1 competitors, Williams.

Colapinto has signed a "multi-year" contract to join Alpine as a test and reserve driver for the 2025 season.

In recent weeks, there has been significant speculation about the 21-year-old from Argentina making a transfer to Alpine.

Colapinto quickly stood out in Formula 1 after being brought in by Williams to take over for Logan Sargeant, who had not been performing well since the previous year's Italian Grand Prix.

In only his second race in Azerbaijan, he advanced to the third qualifying round and earned points, which quickly drew interest from teams such as Red Bull and Alpine due to his remarkable initial performances.

He was unable to obtain a permanent racing position for 2025 following several crashes towards the end of the season that somewhat diminished his achievements. However, Colapinto might have found a route to return to the Formula 1 grid.

Colapinto expressed his enthusiasm about becoming a part of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. He began by thanking Williams for their unwavering support, which he appreciated from the time he entered their Academy to the final race in Abu Dhabi.

They transformed my aspiration of competing in Formula One into something real, and I will forever appreciate that. As I embark on a new phase, joining the BWT Alpine Formula One Team is indeed a privilege. I am immensely grateful to Luca de Meo, Flavio Briatore, and Oliver Oakes for their faith in me and for their warm reception into the team.

"I'm eager to begin and discover where this adventure will lead us. Additionally, I want to express my deep gratitude to all my sponsors and partners who supported me throughout the difficulties of the 2024 season."

Flavio Briatore, who serves as an executive advisor for Alpine, expressed his satisfaction about finalizing a deal with Williams Racing to bring Franco Colapinto on board. He noted that Franco stands out as one of the most promising young talents currently in motorsport.

It's safe to say that his debut on the Formula One grid last year was unexpected for many people, myself included, and his performance has been remarkable for someone new to the sport. We are focusing on our future, and bringing him on board ensures we have a strong group of young drivers to rely on and collaborate with in order to build the team towards future achievements.

Doohan Faces Increased Expectations

The announcement of Colapinto joining Alpine is likely to put added pressure on newcomer Jack Doohan in his first season of Formula 1.

Doohan participated in his first grand prix with Alpine at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi after Esteban Ocon left earlier than expected. He has been contracted to compete with Pierre Gasly in 2025.

It is believed that Doohan inked a brief contract with Alpine, which allows the French company the possibility of altering their driver lineup if necessary.

Ensuring that Colapinto is available gives Alpine a reliable alternative in case Doohan's initial performances are not up to par.

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Francesco Bagnaia proposes a change to MotoGP's points system: is it feasible?

The two-time MotoGP world champion believes the series should explore the idea of awarding bonus points.

Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati thinks that MotoGP should consider revising the points system to incorporate bonuses within the existing sprint and grand prix structure.

Since the beginning of the four-stroke era, MotoGP's scoring system has stayed unchanged. A win in a grand prix earns a rider 25 points, with points decreasing incrementally to 1 point for those finishing in the top 15 spots.

In 2023, the introduction of sprint races increased the total possible points a driver could earn during a grand prix weekend by 12. Winning the sprint race grants 12 points, finishing second earns nine points, and third place receives seven points, with the points decreasing incrementally down to one point for the ninth-place finisher.

As there are now 37 points up for grabs each weekend, maintaining a steady performance is more crucial than ever for a rider aiming to secure the championship title.

In 2024, Bagnaia secured victory in 11 grand prix races. However, he failed to score points in eight events, which ultimately led to a 10-point deficit behind Jorge Martin. Martin, racing for Pramac, only clinched three Sunday race wins. Nonetheless, his steady performance was crucial, as he managed to finish on the podium in all but three sprint races.

Bagnaia expressed that adapting to existing rules is necessary, especially since the current system enabled him to remain in contention for the championship until the final stages, despite having eight non-scoring races. These remarks were made at Ducati's Campioni in Pista event last year.

"Nonetheless, sprint races have an impact on various aspects, adding an extra dimension. They have definitely altered the method of earning points over the course of a weekend."

"You need to adapt to it. With sprint races now in play, they might want to think about adding some incentives, like rewards for winning both races or for achieving the fastest lap."

In the 2024 season, Bagnaia achieved five sprint and grand prix victories in the same weekend. If he earned an extra point for each of these feats, it would bring him five points nearer to Martin in the championship standings. Additionally, Bagnaia secured the fastest lap in six grand prix races, adding another six points to his score. Nonetheless, Martin would still clinch the championship, thanks to his two fastest lap points throughout the season or by achieving just one sprint and grand prix double.

Since 2019, Formula 1 has implemented a system where drivers can earn points for recording the fastest laps, but this is only applicable to those finishing within the top 10 positions. The purpose of this rule was to add an extra layer of excitement to the races and motivate drivers who are not leading to strive for an additional potentially crucial point.

However, it rarely produced the intended outcome, as the fastest lap point frequently went to a driver who had such a significant lead and buffer behind them. This allowed them to make a secure pit stop on the second-to-last lap for new soft tires and aim for the fastest lap.

This regulation will be eliminated for the 2025 season.

In the world of MotoGP, awarding a point for the fastest lap could function more similarly to how it was originally intended in Formula 1. Due to the shorter race durations in MotoGP, the gap between competitors isn't as wide as in F1. The competitive nature of the machinery in MotoGP ensures that more riders have an opportunity to earn a point based on sheer speed, rather than being influenced by the conditions of the race.

IS A MOTOGP RULE ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVE?

In the 2024 season, eight distinct racers achieved the quickest lap times in various grand prix events. Pedro Acosta clocked the fastest lap twice, while Bagnaia accomplished it six times. Martin also achieved this feat twice, Enea Bastianini did it three times, and Maverick Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, and Fabio Di Giannantonio each did it once. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez recorded the fastest lap four times.

Although this wouldn't have drastically changed the championship result, it would have moved Acosta up to tie for sixth place in points with his teammate Brad Binder, with Acosta securing the spot due to having more podium finishes.

One could argue that the mere consideration of earning an additional point can significantly alter the dynamics of any racing scenario. Knowing they could earn two points for finishing in 15th place instead of just one, a racer is more inclined to continue competing after a minor crash. Introducing a point for the fastest lap in sprint races could also generate more interest beyond the usual top positions that score points.

Marc Marquez, who is set to join Ducati and will be partnering with Bagnaia, expressed a different opinion. He stated, "I'm content with the current system. It's well-balanced and keeps the championship competitive until the very end, so I'm satisfied with the way things are."

Marquez's remark holds some truth. The existing setup has led to the championship being decided in the final moments for the last couple of years. However, MotoGP might consider taking a cue from British Superbikes to add excitement by highlighting a rider who dominates all the races in a single weekend.

In the past few years, the BSB organized a Spring Grand Slam event that took place over two rounds, offering a prize of £50,000 to any rider who managed to win all six races. Although this concept might be a bit much for MotoGP, the series could consider experimenting with a comparable concept.

In the event that a rider achieves both a sprint and race victory along with recording the quickest lap in a grand prix, they have the opportunity to earn an extra three points, increasing their possible total for the weekend to 40 points. However, if they are unable to achieve all three, they will receive no additional points.

This increases the motivation for each session, as a competitor whose main rival in the championship is on the verge of completing a hat-trick might exert extra effort to achieve the fastest lap, thereby preventing the rival from securing three vital points.

Traditionalists often oppose any sort of modification, labeling it as unnatural and contrary to the essence of MotoGP. However, the addition of sprint races has largely debunked this belief, demonstrating that significant format changes can be implemented and swiftly become a regular aspect of the event.

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Williams has scheduled the unveiling of Carlos Sainz's 2025 car for Valentine's Day. The team has disclosed the date they plan to present their 2025 Formula 1 vehicle.

Williams is set to unveil their 2025 vehicle, the FW47, on February 14, which is four days ahead of the start of the F1 season in London.

Williams is set to reveal their new car at Silverstone, featuring a unique paint job. The team's 2025 race design will be showcased at the F1 75 Live event on February 18.

This year marks a significant one for the Williams team as Carlos Sainz transitions from Ferrari to lead their efforts in 2025, joining forces with Alex Albon.

In discussing the news, team leader James Vowles remarked, "The year 2025 holds great promise for Williams. We have excellent drivers, Alex and Carlos, talented engineers coming from various teams, and state-of-the-art facilities opening at our Grove headquarters."

In line with our recovery strategy, we've been developing our 2025 vehicle for quite a while, and I'm eager to unveil it at Silverstone on February 14.

Each member of the team is fully committed to returning the team to its rightful place as we approach the significant rule changes set for 2026. The upcoming year promises to be thrilling.

What are Williams' potential accomplishments in the 2025 F1 season?

After a lackluster performance in 2024, Williams found themselves in the ninth position in the F1 constructors' rankings, managing to stay just ahead of Sauber.

Throughout their season, they faced numerous accidents and mishaps, resulting in a costly bill for repairs.

As a result of the significant damage incurred towards the year's end, Franco Colapinto had to use parts from an older specification.

Williams is focused on the new set of rules coming in 2026.

The team from Grove will keep using Mercedes engines and is hoping they will provide an outstanding performance, similar to what happened in 2014 when Williams reached the top three in the rankings.

This could suggest that 2025 will once again be a letdown for Williams.

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Red Bull's control over Formula 1 is likened to nearing the peak of Mount Everest. "When you're almost at the top of Everest, introducing new innovations becomes extremely challenging."

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard thinks it was bound to happen that Red Bull's stronghold in the sport would conclude after 2023. He likens this situation to being "near the peak of Everest."

In 2023, Red Bull had a remarkable season by securing victory in 21 out of the 22 races.

Looking ahead to 2024, they slipped to third place in the F1 constructors' championship, managing to win only two out of the final 14 races.

Max Verstappen managed to secure his fourth straight championship, yet Red Bull's period of supremacy had definitively concluded.

Reflecting on the challenges faced by his old team in the previous year, Coulthard admitted that Red Bull struggled significantly to bring about new developments following their history-making season.

"I've been in this field for a while and understand that past victories don't guarantee future success. Last year [2023] was an overwhelmingly successful year," he mentioned to Motorsport-Total.com.

"When you're near the top of Everest, coming up with new ideas becomes extremely challenging."

In 2024, Red Bull secured victories in more races compared to McLaren and Ferrari, despite the latter two teams ranking higher in the F1 constructors' championship.

Coulthard mentioned that the team chose a specific direction for the car's development, which resulted in it winning ten (nine) Grand Prix races, surpassing any other team.

The concept of correlation is crucial. When it is effective, it shows results, but if it fails, it highlights the complexity of the issue. If it were straightforward, one could simply provide the guidelines to an AI system.

"If it were easy, everyone would make identical cars. However, that's not how things are."

Coulthard praises McLaren's impressive recovery

McLaren has experienced an extraordinary transformation over the past two years.

In 2023, their campaign kicked off with the least competitive car, leaving Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggling at the rear of the lineup.

A performance boost in Austria significantly changed their season, allowing Norris to consistently secure podium finishes just behind Verstappen during the latter half of the year.

In 2024, improvements in Miami transformed them from the third quickest team into serious challengers for the championship.

Coulthard commented on the consistent capability of leading teams to maintain their performance year after year. He congratulated McLaren, praising them for their impressive comeback.

People often mention that it's been 26 years since their last constructors' championship victory. However, someone pointed out to me that they actually secured the title with Hamilton and Alonso, but it was revoked after the fact.

"I had also let that slip from my memory. Yet, setting that aside, it happened quite a long time ago."

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Cadillac takes significant stride towards establishing itself as an F1 works team with crucial announcement. The company outlines its strategy to achieve works team status before the decade concludes.

Cadillac has accelerated its efforts to establish itself as a full Formula 1 works team by the end of the 2020s, spurred by the creation of General Motors Performance Power Units.

Cadillac is anticipated to become the 11th team on the Formula 1 circuit in 2026, with intentions to develop their own engine by 2029.

US automotive giant General Motors has announced a collaboration with TWG Motorsports to create GM Performance Power Units.

A primary factor in the approval of Cadillac's bid to join Formula 1 was their intention to establish themselves as a manufacturer team with their own engine, instead of merely serving as a customer team.

The U.S. squad will rely on Ferrari engines until the General Motors power unit is completely finished and ready for use.

Russ O’Blenes, who boasts more than three decades of experience in motorsports, will lead GM's power unit initiative.

Cadillac announced that O’Blenes will become part of "TWG Motorsports and GM’s group of pioneering individuals, establishing a top-notch technological foundation for the upcoming Formula 1 team."

In discussing recent developments, Dan Towriss, the CEO of TWG Motorsports, commented, "His knowledge and leadership abilities will play a crucial role as we begin establishing Cadillac's presence in Formula 1."

Under the leadership of Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, they are set to guide the team in establishing new benchmarks for performance and innovation in the sport.

O'Blenes expressed his enthusiasm, saying he is thrilled about the chance to assemble and guide the team responsible for introducing a Formula 1 power unit manufactured in the United States to the race lineup.

"General Motors' PPU division is in the process of expanding its workforce and is looking to hire across various sectors of the company."

Cadillac is preparing for its anticipated entrance into Formula 1 in 2026.

Towards the end of 2024, Graeme Lowdon, who previously served as the CEO of Manor, was introduced as the team's principal.

Reports have emerged indicating that Valtteri Bottas has already engaged in discussions with Lowdon regarding a possible transfer to the team.

Mario Andretti, a member of the management board for the team, has suggested that one of the available driver positions will likely be taken by an American, with Colton Herta being the most probable choice.

Cadillac has several alternatives besides Bottas, including Sergio Perez, Zhou Guanyu, and Kevin Magnussen, who are all open for selection.

Daniel Ricciardo has rejected the possibility of making a comeback to the racing grid in 2026 with Cadillac.

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KTM, undeterred by financial challenges, is set to commence the construction of their 2025 MotoGP motorcycles. The company plans to kick off the production of these bikes next week.

KTM's head of technical operations, Wolfgang Felber, has stated that the preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season are proceeding as expected.

The Austrian company is dealing with an unclear future in MotoGP, as it works through a financial crisis that has led to a restructuring effort.

A report from the initial creditors' meeting indicated that KTM is "intending" to exit grand prix racing, but will continue participating in 2025 as usual.

KTM's racing department is implementing a comprehensive 100-step strategy aimed at reducing expenses due to the company's ongoing financial difficulties, which involves decreasing its participation in several racing categories.

In 2025, KTM plans to have four factory bikes competing in MotoGP. These will be divided between its official team and Tech3, with riders Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, and Enea Bastianini.

In a discussion with the German magazine Speedweek, Felber shared encouraging news about KTM's plans for 2025.

He mentioned that all preparations for the upcoming season are proceeding as usual.

"In the past few years, we have streamlined every procedure to ensure that we complete the construction of the new machines by the third week of the year."

"In 2025, the situation will remain unchanged. We will begin the process of reconstructing all the motorcycles starting next Monday."

"All activities are scheduled in such a way that by the conclusion of the third week, we prepare the boxes for the significant test in Sepang."

"After that point, the bikes will remain on the road for an extended period. They won't return to Munderfing until the European season kicks off in Jerez."

Speculation has emerged suggesting that KTM might halt the development of its 2025 motorcycle because of its current financial difficulties.

Although Felber does not explicitly acknowledge this, he mentions that the 2025 prototype "functioned as anticipated" during tests conducted last year and has been "established" as the foundational model for the bike.

He mentioned that what they're discussing is undeniably an evolutionary model for the year 2025.

Adopting a completely new strategy was not an option. We had already undergone our real trial phase in the tests conducted in 2024.

"The 2025 model functioned as expected, establishing a solid foundation. The current strategy involves constructing all machines using updated components."

"There are variations in the ergonomics tailored to each rider, along with distinct methods for controlling the rear brake."

"We can also utilize some of the current components that have minimal usage. Discarding a handlebar piece that's barely been used for a few kilometers seems impractical."

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Mercedes has been accused of securing a backup plan involving Valtteri Bottas in case Kimi Antonelli underperforms in his first season. An F1 legend claims this strategy provides a "safety net" for the team.

Renowned F1 figure Juan Pablo Montoya thinks that Mercedes' choice to rehire Valtteri Bottas provides them with a backup plan in case Andrea Kimi Antonelli doesn't meet expectations.

Antonelli is set to enter Formula 1 for the first time this year with the Mercedes team, moving up from Formula 2 to take over from Lewis Hamilton.

Antonelli is the first newcomer to advance to a leading team since Hamilton joined McLaren in 2007.

Antonelli and George Russell will be supported by Bottas, who is returning to Mercedes to take on the role of test and reserve driver for the 2025 season.

Valtteri Bottas was not able to obtain a permanent racing position for the next season, which resulted in him taking on a reserve driver role with his previous team.

In an interview with CasasDeApuestas.bet, Montoya shared his thoughts on the driver lineup at Mercedes.

According to Montoya, Kimi Antonelli finds himself in a contrasting situation, being a prominent figure in a top-tier team alongside a teammate who is performing exceptionally well.

"You are being promoted as the next Max Verstappen, and if you don't meet those expectations, that's unfortunate."

In my opinion, Mercedes is playing it safe by having Valtteri Bottas on their team.

"He's a backup option if things don't pan out with Antonelli, and he's aware of this."

Mercedes' Bold Move for F1 2025

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff made the daring choice to select Antonelli instead of Carlos Sainz, leading to Sainz moving down the ranks to join Williams.

Wolff opted for the Italian because he regretted not signing Max Verstappen when he initially joined the sport.

The Verstappen family opted not to team up with Mercedes because the team was unable to provide a permanent racing position.

Red Bull was ready to place Verstappen in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso at the start of 2015, and then they promoted him to the main Red Bull team in early 2016.

Wolff was not willing to take the chance of letting Antonelli slip away to a competing team by choosing a seasoned driver such as Sainz.

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Maverick Vinales advised Yamaha to leave the bike unchanged during his unsuccessful championship season. "I advised them not to make any adjustments to the bike," he stated.

Maverick Vinales has implied that he could have won the MotoGP world championship in 2017 while riding for Yamaha, had they not altered the 2016 M1 model he first tried out.

After spending slightly more than one season with Suzuki, Vinales committed to a two-year contract to become part of the factory Yamaha team for his third year in the top-tier racing category in 2017.

In 2016, Vinales led the pack in the Valencia test riding that year's M1. He then went on to secure victories in the opening two races of 2017 and clinched another win at the French Grand Prix following a duel with his teammate, Valentino Rossi.

After that moment, the Spanish rider had a 17-point lead in the rankings. However, Vinales did not secure another victory until the Australian Grand Prix in 2018, ultimately finishing third in the 2017 standings.

Vinales stayed with Yamaha until the middle of 2021, at which point his relationship with the company deteriorated beyond repair. As a result, he was swiftly dismissed after it was discovered that he had intentionally pushed the engine of his M1 beyond its limits during the Styrian Grand Prix.

In a DAZN documentary focused on him, Vinales expressed his belief that he had the potential to secure the championship with the M1 bike he tested at the close of 2016. He urged Yamaha to refrain from making any changes to it during the winter.

"When I started at Yamaha, I arrived with a lot of energy and enthusiasm," he mentioned.

"I came with a specific vision and goal, which was the sole request I made to Yamaha: 'I aim to become the world champion.'"

"I have no desire to change who I am; please don't pressure me to be different because I'm content with being myself and have no interest in anything else."

During the test session in Valencia, I immediately took a liking to the Yamaha. I requested that no modifications be made to it because I specifically wanted the same bike that Jorge Lorenzo had used.

"[I said to Yamaha] 'deliver this motorcycle to Qatar, and I'll secure the world championship with it. However, when I arrived at Sepang for the pre-season testing, I was left wondering, 'Where is that motorcycle?'"

"I claimed victory in the initial race, followed by another win in the next, and triumphed at Le Mans. It was among the most memorable days of my life, as I overcame my hero, Valentino Rossi, in a competition."

"However, Barcelona experienced a series of transformations that left me perplexed."

"I advised them against handling the bicycle."

In the closing rounds of 2021, Vinales became part of the Aprilia team and stayed with them through to the conclusion of 2024, during which he secured a victory in one grand prix.

In 2025, he will become a part of the KTM team, collaborating with the Tech3 group. Reflecting on this decision, he remarked, "I've realized there are two options: either you become the contender or you choose the alternative path."

"You have the choice to either join KTM or become part of Ducati."

"Winning at Ducati is a tough challenge. How can one surpass the performance of the factory team?"

"It's quite complex; although the bike is the same, the equipment isn't identical. Therefore, my only choice was to join KTM and become the competitor."

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Who is the new CEO of Liberty Media? The owner of Formula 1 has announced Derek Chang as the successor to Greg Maffei.

Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1, has named Derek Chang as the new president and CEO.

The news follows Greg Maffei's exit last year. Maffei, known for assisting Liberty in finalizing its acquisition of Formula 1 in 2017, announced in November that he would be leaving his role.

Chang, who has experience in the fields of media, sports, and entertainment, is set to take on the role of president and CEO starting February 1st.

His latest position was with EverPass Media, a firm that provides live sports broadcasts, such as NFL games in the U.S. and Premier League soccer in the UK, to businesses and commercial venues.

Chang's work history also features periods of employment at DIRECTV and NBA China.

Chang is set to establish a three-member executive board for Liberty, which will include Chase Carey and Dob Bennett. F1's president and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, will report directly to this board.

Liberty, having already acquired F1, has made an offer to purchase MotoGP, the leading motorcycle racing series, for an estimated £3.2 billion. This deal is still awaiting the green light from the European Commission.

The U.S.-based media giant aims to attract fresh viewership to MotoGP and enhance the championship's visibility, aspiring to mirror the recent surge in popularity experienced by Formula 1.

Chang has promised to aid in the development of our appealing operational assets, such as F1 and MotoGP, following their acquisition, to maintain their progress and invest in future growth.

John Malone, the chairman of Liberty Media, expressed his excitement about Derek taking over as CEO. He highlighted Derek's expertise in management and investments, his deep knowledge of the industries they operate in, and his previous experience with Liberty, all of which make him the perfect choice to lead the company into its future.

Having collaborated with Derek for more than 25 years, I am continually amazed by his way of leading, extensive knowledge, and international outlook. I am eager to assist him and the Liberty management team as they keep pushing to enhance shareholder value.

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Lewis frequently travels to various international Grand Prix events on behalf of Crash.net. He commonly provides on-site coverage, sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Max Verstappen criticizes social media users for distorting his relationship with Lando Norris

Max Verstappen has taken aim at those on social media, labeling them as "idiots" for blowing his relationship with Lando Norris out of proportion amid their championship rivalry.

Max Verstappen has criticized those who exaggerated his relationship with Lando Norris during their 2024 F1 championship rivalry, calling them "idiots."

Throughout their careers in Formula 1, Verstappen and Norris have maintained a positive friendship. However, their bond faced challenges last year when they became rivals in the battle for the world championship.

Incidents on the track in Austria, Austin, and Mexico City put a strain on their friendship and created tension. However, Verstappen and Norris managed to keep their relationship intact, even amidst the competition, as the Red Bull driver secured his fourth consecutive world championship title.

During an episode of Red Bull’s podcast, Talking Bull, Verstappen criticized individuals on social media for making over-the-top statements during the previous season.

Max Verstappen commented that social media tends to amplify negativity, noting that many individuals on these platforms frequently voice their complaints and criticisms.

"There are many optimistic individuals, although there are also a few who are quite foolish. In my opinion, it's best to simply disregard all of it."

Lando and I had a good relationship. Naturally, there were moments of tension during races, but that didn't affect our off-track interactions. Our main goal was always to perform at our best during races to achieve the best results possible.

"Competing for the World Championship can lead to situations like this, which I believe is quite expected. However, everything between us is fine."

Verstappen stated that he would not want to experience the 2021 finale again, even saying he would 'die' if he had to relive it. During a turbulent and rainy race in Brazil, Verstappen showcased an impressive comeback by climbing from 17th place on the starting grid to secure a victory, bringing him close to clinching the world championship title.

Norris, beginning the race from the lead position, faced challenges and ended up in sixth place, allowing Verstappen to secure the championship in the upcoming Las Vegas event, with two races still left in the season.

Verstappen drew parallels between the pressure he endured during last year's Sao Paulo Grand Prix and the feelings he encountered at the final race of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi, where he secured his inaugural championship title amid contentious conditions.

He explained that he wouldn't want to go through the experience in Brazil again because it was so emotionally exhausting. He compared it to the day he won his first title, saying it was so overwhelming that he felt like he would die if he had to relive it.

"On that particular day, those who saw me, including my girlfriend Kelly Piquet, noticed a difference. Kelly visited me in my room prior to the race, and while I usually don't get very anxious, I was feeling a bit more on edge than usual. Typically, you're ready for the event, though there can be some nerves due to the desire to perform well."

"But she mentioned that my hands felt like ice. These types of experiences are better appreciated from a distance rather than going through them again."

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Lewis frequently goes to international Grands Prix on behalf of Crash.net. He usually covers the events live, sharing the experiences and insights of key figures in the racing world.

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Father of Jorge Lorenzo provides a fascinating update on their complicated relationship

Chico Lorenzo discusses his son, Jorge Lorenzo

Lorenzo Chico has addressed the current state of his relationship with his son.

Jorge Lorenzo has candidly discussed the challenges in his relationship with his father.

The MotoGP champion, who has won the title twice, gained his initial experience at his father's motorcycle racing school in Majorca.

However, even though the son became a champion, it negatively affected his personal relationship with his father.

However, Chico has provided a glimmer of optimism for improved times ahead.

Moto.it inquired whether their relationship is currently "very good."

"It's not great, but it's adequate," he replied.

"While he attended the EICMA exhibition in Milan, I accompanied him, including during his time in Lugano."

"This holiday season, he is spending time in Majorca."

Chico was questioned about the moment he first noticed his son's abilities.

When I was a child, I built my first motorbike at the age of three, and Jorge was already showing great skill.

"Absolutely, he was always eager to come out on top."

He has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism, time and time again…

"From a young age, he was exceptionally well-prepared, exhibiting a level of professionalism that far surpassed his peers."

Chico expresses his feelings about his son's successful career by saying, "it's satisfaction, satisfaction."

He mentioned his son's grand prix victory as his personal favorite.

"The initial victory I had in Brazil back in 2003 was a significant milestone for me, and later achieving my first win with Ducati at Mugello was also memorable."

In 2003, Jorge Lorenzo secured his inaugural victory in the 125cc category at the Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix.

However, the memory of the championship that his father cherished the most was also the most infamous.

In 2015, Lorenzo claimed victory over Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez to win the top award.

Chico mentioned that he spent the entire year with him and witnessed firsthand the tremendous effort he put into securing victory in that intensely competitive world championship.

"He experienced an excellent year."

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he provided coverage on a variety of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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