Christian Horner Points Out Possible Flaw in Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 Team Roster

Christian Horner has pinpointed a possible flaw within Ferrari's esteemed Formula 1 driver roster for the year 2025.

Christian Horner is of the opinion that the pairing of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton for Ferrari's 2025 Formula 1 team could potentially benefit Red Bull and Max Verstappen in the current season's championship battle.

Ferrari's fresh duo of drivers for the current season is considered the most formidable in the 2025 Formula 1 lineup, as Hamilton transitions to Maranello from Mercedes.

Despite facing challenges in his last season with Mercedes, the 39-year-old Hamilton is anticipated to make a strong comeback and regain his top performance by 2025.

Leclerc experienced his most successful season in Formula 1 so far, securing three wins, while Ferrari came close to winning the constructors' championship.

Despite having a formidable pair of drivers this season, Horner has pinpointed a potential issue that Ferrari might encounter, an issue that is unlikely to arise at Red Bull, given Verstappen's partnership with Liam Lawson.

In a conversation with talkSport, Horner mentioned, "Our approach might be somewhat unique compared to other teams in that we believe: 'You know what? Max Verstappen represents the most precious commodity in Formula 1.

"He's our top racer. If you manage to keep pace with him, that's great. However, the truth is we anticipate Max will be the victor."

"In the upcoming year, Ferrari is set to have two competitors who will likely be competing closely, leading to them both detracting from each other's point totals. This raises the question: which driver should you support?"

"Supporting both parties is necessary, yet it can lead to division among team members. Various teams adopt distinct strategies in handling this."

Red Bull Adjusts Its Roster for the 2025 F1 Season

For the 2025 Formula 1 season, Red Bull has made adjustments to its team, choosing Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda.

In the middle of December, Red Bull revealed that they had reached a mutual decision to separate from Sergio Perez following a four-year collaboration.

The concerning performance streak of the Mexican driver led to Red Bull being eliminated from the championship race by the time they reached the final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi, securing them a third-place finish in the constructors' standings.

Having secured four top-three finishes in the first five races, Perez was unable to achieve a podium position in the following 19 contests.

Lawson stepped in as the replacement for Daniel Ricciardo in the RB team after the Singapore Grand Prix.

Tsunoda often held the upper hand, yet Lawson closely competed, even with his minimal experience in F1.

Red Bull is optimistic that Lawson will significantly outperform Perez, especially as the competition at the top is anticipated to become more intense in 2025, with the regulations staying consistent through the winter.

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Mercedes anticipates a challenging debut season for Andrea Kimi Antonelli in F1, predicting numerous errors.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff anticipates moments during Andrea Kimi Antonelli's inaugural Formula 1 season in 2025 when the team will be immensely frustrated.

At the age of 18, Antonelli is set to join Mercedes, teaming up with George Russell as he enters his first F1 season this year, filling the spot left by Lewis Hamilton who is moving to Ferrari.

The young Mercedes talent has moved up the ranks after only one season in Formula 2, achieving an impressive climb to F1 without ever competing in Formula 3.

Antonelli grabbed the spotlight by experiencing a severe crash during his first weekend of F1 racing, in a practice session at the Italian Grand Prix the previous year.

The event took place shortly before the 10-minute mark of FP1, during which Antonelli had been making impressive time records until he lost grip of his vehicle.

Wolff has acknowledged that he anticipates Antonelli will commit numerous errors while becoming familiar with Formula 1.

"Wolff informed members of the press, including Crash.net, that a period of observation is necessary before making judgments. He noted that by 2025, under the same rules, the competitive hierarchy might shift based on the circuit and the chances available to vie for wins. If those opportunities can be capitalized on, then battling for a championship becomes a possibility."

"This year will also see George [Russell] stepping up as a more experienced driver, while Kimi will drive us crazy at times, but we'll also witness his moments of sheer genius."

"This year is about setting realistic goals for Kimi, as we get our team of drivers ready for the 2026 season."

Managing Expectations for Mercedes

Wolff is confident in Antonelli's potential to rise as a prominent F1 driver, yet he has swiftly moderated the anticipation surrounding the young racer before his debut season.

In a conversation with the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Wolff emphasized that Mercedes is considering 2025 as a pivotal "transition year" in anticipation of significant regulatory changes set for 2026.

"Wolff mentioned their intention to get Andrea ready by 2026."

"If you're anticipating that Antonelli will secure the top spot on the starting grid in Melbourne, clinch victory in the race, and right away vie for the championship title, then you're taking a significant gamble because that scenario is unlikely to unfold."

Considering his age of just 18, alongside his remarkable talent, it's understood that he has to undergo growth and learn from errors first, which minimizes the risk involved.

"2025 is viewed as a transitional year, and our aim is to ready ourselves for 2026, when a fresh start awaits us all."

Antonelli secured victory in two events, culminating in a sixth-place finish in the 2024 F2 championship rankings.

This came after securing victories in both the Italian and ADAC F4 championships in 2022, and continuing the winning streak with championships in the Formula Regional European Championship and Formula Regional Middle East Championship in 2023.

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Max Verstappen 'would have prevented' Carlos Sainz's move to Red Bull

It has been implied that Max Verstappen obstructed Carlos Sainz's potential switch to Red Bull.

Juan Pablo Montoya is of the opinion that if it were up to Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz would not have been allowed to join Red Bull for the F1 season in 2025.

Speculation had surrounded Sainz as a potential option for a Red Bull seat this season, especially after the news broke that his place at Ferrari would be taken by Lewis Hamilton starting in 2025. However, Red Bull decided to stick with Sergio Perez, bypassing the Spanish driver for the position.

Perez was ultimately replaced at the conclusion of the 2024 season due to his inability to improve his poor performance. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson was subsequently elevated to the senior team for the current season.

Rumors had circulated indicating that Sainz was not genuinely considered for Red Bull because of alleged friction between his team and Verstappen's. During their time as teammates at Toro Rosso in 2015, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko disclosed that their interaction was occasionally "quite toxic."

Montoya, a victor in seven Grand Prix races, believes Verstappen likely would have opposed any attempt to sign Sainz.

"Montoya expressed his belief to CasasDeApuestas.bet that Max Verstappen likely would have prevented Carlos Sainz from joining Red Bull to avoid tough internal rivalry, though he admitted he couldn't verify this himself."

"During their time as teammates at Toro Rosso, they had a somewhat rocky relationship. It's doubtful that Max would have been keen on revisiting that dynamic. He certainly made things challenging for Max Verstappen. Given Max's influence over the choice of his teammate, it's unlikely he'd make a decision that would disadvantage himself, right?"

"The focus isn't on [Max Verstappen] feeling fearful; it's about making wise choices. Why opt for a path that only complicates your life and fosters a challenging atmosphere?"

Montoya expressed his disappointment over Carlos Sainz's position, but he believes Williams is on track to mirror McLaren's success in the upcoming years.

"I believe they have the potential to achieve great success in the future. In two or three years, Williams could be at the level McLaren is currently at, having completely transformed their situation. They possess the necessary financial support and all the required elements to accomplish their goals."

Montoya believes Colapinto is poised for a comeback at Williams

Montoya also thinks Alex Albon will face significant pressure to retain his position and has suggested that Franco Colapinto is likely to make a comeback with Williams soon.

"Colapinto is set to join Williams," Montoya declared.

Next year will be challenging for Jack Doohan, as Pierre Gasly's exceptional performance puts him in a tough spot. Similarly, Alex Albon faces difficulties, mirroring his previous experience alongside Max.

At Williams, the focus will now be centered on Carlos [Sainz], shifting away from the emphasis previously placed on Alex over the last few years.

"When you've held the top spot and have connections to the runner-up, yet there's still an expectation for you to maintain your speed, the tension escalates, mishaps occur, and this could open a door for Franco."

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F1 commentator observes a change in Lando Norris's attitude: “He stopped being overly critical of himself”

In the latter part of the 2024 season, Lando Norris experienced a notable change in his approach, as per an F1 analyst

Ex-IndyCar racer James Hinchcliffe observed a noticeable change in attitude from Lando Norris throughout the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.

2024 emerged as a landmark year for Norris, securing four victories for McLaren and leading them to their first constructors' championship in more than a quarter of a century.

Despite reaching those significant achievements, it can be argued that Norris potentially missed a chance to advance in the drivers' championship standings.

Max Verstappen secured victories in seven out of the first ten races, leaving Norris and his McLaren team lamenting several mistakes, especially in their strategic choices, which enabled the Dutch driver to maintain a significant lead in the championship standings.

Gradually, Norris reduced the gap to Verstappen before the Red Bull racer secured a monumental victory from 17th position at the starting grid in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, essentially concluding the championship battle.

During the fluctuations of the 2024 season, Norris openly critiqued his own performance, yet Hinchcliffe observed a shift in the British driver's strategy towards the end of the season.

"Hinchcliffe pointed out on The Red Flags podcast that there's a clear distinction in the way Lando referred to 'Lando' in the earlier part of the year compared to the latter half."

"Every athlete tends to be their own toughest critic. Lando openly criticized himself, but in the latter part of the year, such comments were no longer heard."

"Even on the challenging days, he no longer berated himself. When Oscar is eliminated in the first turn, and Leclerc astonishingly climbs from 19th to 8th in the opening lap, igniting the constructors' competition, the pressure mounts. Lando is in a position where even the slightest error, such as losing a spot to Carlos, could cost them the championship."

Is Norris a Contender for the 2025 F1 Championship?

Heading into the new season, Norris is expected to be a frontrunner for the title, especially considering McLaren's strong performance at the close of 2024.

McLaren's vehicle demonstrated remarkable consistency across various tracks.

In contrast, the performance of Red Bull and Ferrari fluctuated based on the specifics of the race track, while Mercedes' results were influenced by the weather conditions.

Norris managed to rectify several of his earlier mistakes after the summer hiatus, except for a messy performance in Brazil.

Facing intense competition in Abu Dhabi, Norris secured a victory from the leading position, outpacing both Ferraris.

If Norris hadn't clinched the victory, Ferrari would have secured the constructors' title, given Oscar Piastri's poor finish resulting from his first-lap collision with Verstappen.

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Max Verstappen divulges how his father, Jos, soothed his nerves following a challenging qualifying round in Brazil, leading to an incident where he vented his frustration by wrecking his room.

Max Verstappen confessed to feeling so enraged after a disappointing qualifying round at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix that he had the urge to demolish his room.

Last year in Brazil, the driver from the Netherlands qualified in 12th place, but a penalty for going over his engine allowance with a newly installed power unit in his Red Bull car pushed him down to 17th position.

After his competitor Lando Norris secured the top spot in qualifying, Verstappen was visibly upset with the outcome. He shared that it was his dad, Jos, who managed to soothe his frustrations.

"Qualifying really frustrated me," Verstappen expressed during his appearance on the Talking Bull podcast.

I had the urge to wreak havoc in my bedroom, but upon entering, I found my dad already seated inside.

In response to the question of whether his father had wreaked havoc in the room on his behalf, Verstappen responded, “No, he was the composed one. He remained very calm.

"Seeing him remain so composed despite my anger actually helped soothe my frustration."

Disappointment was palpable at Red Bull

In what would become one of his most remarkable wins, Verstappen surged from a 17th place start to triumph in a tumultuous race marred by torrential rain. This victory propelled him almost to the cusp of his fourth global championship, a feat he secured in the following race in Las Vegas.

"Reflecting on that day, I remember sensing the somber mood in the office while we were gearing up for the race since all the events unfolded on the same day; there were many downcast expressions," he shared.

"Your race begins from the 17th position, while your primary competitor is in pole position, potentially leading to a significant shift in the championship standings. This situation has understandably caused a lot of anxiety among everyone involved."

"However, precipitation ensued. The day turned soggy. I hopped into the vehicle. Naturally, I'm fond of such damp conditions, enjoying the moisture. Yet, unpredictability looms as you could either be removed from the race or lose control and veer off the track on your own due to the challenging nature of the situation."

"However, once the race began, things turned positive. I found it pleasant and really enjoyed myself. I felt great as I progressively made my way to the lead."

Verstappen expressed a sense of "relief" upon standing on the podium, aware that he was on the path to securing the world championship, especially after Norris faced challenges in the race and ended up in sixth place.

"He acknowledged that winning the race and its overall result signaled the end for him."

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Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix globally for Crash.net. By providing on-site reports, Lewis shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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Unveiled: The Top-Earning F1 Drivers in Bonuses for 2024

Compilation of the largest bonuses awarded to F1 drivers in the previous season

Leading Formula 1 racers receive substantial base salaries and may also secure significant bonus payments.

Extra financial rewards are typically given for winning grand prix races or securing championship titles.

Their reliance is inherently tied to the team's financial resources and scale, as well as the driver's level of expertise.

According to Forbes, Lando Norris received the highest bonus payments of the previous season in F1 2024.

Besides his annual earnings of $12 million, he was awarded an additional $23 million for his exceptional performance, culminating in a second-place finish in the drivers' championship.

Norris closely contested Max Verstappen for the championship, securing victories in four grand prix events along the way.

Oscar Piastri, a member of the same team, was awarded the second-largest sum in bonuses.

McLaren's victory in the constructors' championship resulted in Piastri earning an additional $17 million, adding to his base salary of $5 million.

Verstappen, hindered in the latter part of the season by a car that didn't perform well, only received a bonus of $15 million.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, the Ferrari pair, earned a total bonus of $21 million for propelling Ferrari to second place in the constructors' championship.

George Russell from Mercedes secured an additional $8 million following victories in two grand prix events. Lewis Hamilton was awarded $2 million for his single victory at Silverstone.

In what appears to be his last season in Formula 1, Sergio Perez earned $7.5 million. He had a strong start to the season, securing four podium finishes in the initial five races, but his performance significantly declined thereafter.

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

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Jos Verstappen clarifies facts regarding Max Verstappen service station incident

Jos Verstappen firmly denies ever abandoning his son Max at a gas station after an unsuccessful karting event.

Jos Verstappen clarifies that he never abandoned his son, the esteemed multiple F1 world champion Max, at a gas station as a form of discipline for an error committed during his karting years.

Formerly, the four-time world champion Verstappen had shared an anecdote about his father abandoning him at a gas station after an unsatisfactory karting competition in Southern Italy when he was merely 14.

In an interview with German outlet F1-Insider, Verstappen Sr clarified that contrary to what was reported, he didn't leave his son. Instead, he simply didn't communicate with him for a week.

The ex-Formula 1 driver is recognized for significantly contributing to Verstappen's development into the esteemed driver we admire today, employing unconventional and sometimes extremely stringent approaches.

"Verstappen Sr. expressed, “It’s important to set the record straight. The reality is that I didn’t abandon him. We simply didn't communicate for a week."

"Did I come off too strong? Max doesn't think so. He believes my approach actually readied him more for Formula 1."

This is why interacting with Helmut Marko, also recognized for his stringent demeanor, no longer phased him.

"He's also grateful for our decision to continue practicing with the kart on dry tires, even when the track was wet. All I feel from him regarding his upbringing with me is a sense of thankfulness."

How did Verstappen recount the event?

In a conversation with ESPN in 2022, Verstappen shared the entire story, mentioning that he ended up phoning his mother to pick him up.

"Obviously, as we were seated in the van, I felt the need to discuss the event with my dad," Verstappen recounted. "My dad told me, 'Quit speaking, I have no interest in hearing it, just stay in the back, I don't want to discuss it at all'."

"However, I persisted in attempting to engage in dialogue until he finally stopped at a gas station and demanded, 'Leave. Leave, and I don't wish to listen to you any longer'."

"So he threw me out and then sped away… and this all happened in Southern Italy."

Verstappen added, "Fortunately, my mom was also nearby, so I phoned her and since she was driving on the same highway just a short distance behind us, she showed up about five minutes later.

Just as we were about to leave, my father came back with the van, saying, "Hop in, but keep it quiet." Clearly, his girlfriend at the time must have had a word with him, insisting, "you can't do that."

Throughout the entire 17-hour journey back home, we remained silent. Once we arrived, he avoided speaking to me for an entire week. During that period, I continued with my school routine and daily activities. Typically, I would spend time in the workshop upon returning home, but for that week, I abstained from going there, and he continued to ignore me.

He wasn't engaged in any racing activities, not even in the workshop, so to me, it seemed like a significant wake-up call and a form of discipline. And it dawned on me that I had made a serious mistake.

"However, I believe that experience benefited me. In the following year, I noticed an improvement in my ability to assess my overtaking maneuvers and my overall race strategy, understanding that it's not just about a single lap but the entire race. If you truly have the speed, you'll find a way to overtake."

"It proved to be a difficult experience, yet ultimately, I believe it turned out to be beneficial."

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During Marc Marquez's absence in 2020 due to injury, Honda made no advancements with its MotoGP motorcycle. The head of the LCR team has revealed how Marquez's injury negatively impacted Honda's progress.

Lucio Cecchinello, the head of the LCR MotoGP team, has stated that Honda "made no progress in development" during the 2020 season when Marc Marquez was absent due to an injury.

Marc Marquez, an eight-time world champion, along with Honda, led the racing world throughout much of the 2010s. Together, they clinched the championship titles for the years 2013-2014 and

In 2019, Marquez had an incredibly dominant season, securing victory in 12 races and earning second place in every race except one. This performance led him to claim his sixth premier class title, finishing 151 points ahead of Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.

By this time, the RC213V was posing challenges for the rest of the Honda team, with Cal Crutchlow being the sole rider apart from Marquez to reach the podium in the 2019 season.

During the first race of the COVID-impacted 2020 season, Marquez suffered a severe fracture in his right arm, leading to Honda experiencing its first season without a victory in the top category since it resumed full-time participation in 1982.

Throughout 2021 and 2022, Marquez faced ongoing injury challenges, prompting Honda to adjust its bike development strategy in an effort to accommodate all its riders more effectively.

During the period that extends to the conclusion of 2024, Honda has experienced three seasons without a victory out of the last five.

Speaking with GPOne, Cecchinello, who has been managing Honda motorcycles in MotoGP since 2006, discussed the significant impact Marquez's absence due to injury had on HRC.

"The motorcycle worked well for Marc, as he managed to handle Honda's unique front design and opted for a harder tire compared to his competitors," he stated.

One instance is the race that kicked off the 2020 season. In Jerez, he managed to pass all his competitors, but then he lost control of the front. After remounting his bike, he made an impressive recovery.

"Honda then suggested delaying until Marc had recuperated; however, as we are aware, unexpected issues arose."

While Marc was away, we made no progress on development, whereas the others kept advancing their projects.

"The focus shifted increasingly towards aerodynamics, and when Marc participated in some races in 2021, he provided feedback on the advancements achieved by others."

In 2023, Marquez decided to part ways with Honda due to the bike's lack of progress. He will be riding for the Gresini Ducati team in 2024.

In the previous racing season, he secured victories in three grand prix events, marking his first wins since 2021, and he also inked a contract with Ducati's factory team for the year

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Jos Verstappen clarifies the real story behind the gas station incident involving Max Verstappen. Jos Verstappen firmly states that he did not abandon his son Max at a gas station after a disappointing karting competition.

Jos Verstappen insists that he never abandoned his son, Max Verstappen, a multiple-time Formula 1 world champion, at a gas station as a consequence for an error during his kart racing years.

Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, once recounted an incident from his teenage years. At the age of 14, after an unsatisfactory karting race in southern Italy, his father abandoned him at a gas station.

In an interview with the German outlet F1-Insider, Verstappen Sr clarified that the real story was that he never abandoned his son; he simply didn't communicate with him for a week.

The ex-Formula 1 driver is recognized for significantly contributing to Verstappen's development into a highly respected racer, employing unconventional and occasionally extremely rigorous techniques.

Verstappen Sr stated, "I believe it's time to set the record straight about that incident." He clarified, "The reality is that I didn't abandon him; I simply didn't communicate with him for a week."

"Did it seem too severe? Max didn't think so. He believed that my approach had better equipped him for Formula 1."

This is why interacting with Helmut Marko, recognized for his very tough demeanor, no longer troubled him.

He values our decision to continue practicing with the kart using dry tires even though the track was wet. He seems to be thankful when reflecting on his upbringing with me.

What were Verstappen's comments? During a conversation with ESPN in 2022, Verstappen recounted the incident thoroughly, mentioning that he had to phone his mother to pick him up.

Certainly, Verstappen recalled that once they were in the van, he felt the urge to discuss the event with his father. However, his father responded by instructing him to remain silent, refusing to listen, and told him to sit in the back without discussing the matter further.

Naturally, I continued attempting to talk to him until he eventually stopped at a gas station and told me, "Get out. I don't want to listen to you anymore."

"He kicked me out and drove away, and this all happened in southern Italy."

Verstappen added: "Fortunately, my mother was also present, so I phoned her. She was driving on the highway behind us and managed to reach us about five minutes later."

As we were getting ready to leave, my dad came back with the van and told us to get in, but insisted, "I don't want to hear a single word." At that time, he was with his girlfriend, and it's likely she persuaded him not to go through with it.

During the entire journey back, which lasted around 17 hours, we remained silent. Once we returned, he continued to give me the silent treatment for an entire week. I focused on attending school and carrying out my usual activities, but each day after returning home, I typically visited the workshop. However, for that entire week, I avoided going there, and he still wouldn't speak to me.

He wasn't involved in any racing activities or even at the workshop, so it seemed like a harsh reality check and penalty to me. I came to understand that I had really messed up.

The experience proved beneficial for me. The following year, I significantly improved in evaluating my overtaking maneuvers and strategizing my race approach. I realized that the race wasn't decided in a single lap and that there would be more opportunities to overtake. If I had the speed advantage, I would eventually succeed in passing.

"It was a difficult experience, yet ultimately beneficial."

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Uncovered: The F1 Drivers Who Earned the Most in Bonuses for 2024

A Breakdown of the Top Bonus Payments to F1 Drivers from Last Season

Leading Formula 1 drivers receive high salaries and have the opportunity to earn substantial bonuses as well.

Typically, bonuses are awarded for winning grand prix races or securing championship titles.

The outcome is ultimately influenced by the team's financial resources and size, as well as the driver's level of experience.

F1 2024 Top Bonus Earnings

According to Forbes, Lando Norris received the highest bonus payments in the previous season.

Alongside his $12 million salary, he earned an additional $23 million for his excellent performance, concluding the season as the second-place finisher in the drivers' championship.

Norris gave Max Verstappen a strong challenge for the championship, securing victory in four grand prix races along the way.

Oscar Piastri, a member of the same team, was awarded the second-largest sum in bonuses.

Following McLaren's victory in the constructors' championship, Piastri received an additional $17 million in addition to his $5 million salary.

Due to a less competitive car during the latter part of the year, Verstappen only managed to secure a $15 million bonus.

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz received a total bonus of $21 million for securing second place for Ferrari in the constructors' championship.

George Russell from Mercedes secured an additional $8 million following his victories in two grand prix races. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton gained $2 million after achieving a single triumph at the Silverstone event.

Sergio Perez, who is probably in his last season in Formula 1, earned $7.5 million. He started strong with podium finishes in four of the first five races, but his performance significantly declined afterward.

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Who among the 2025 MotoGP newcomers might emerge as the next Pedro Acosta? Lewis Duncan from Crash evaluates the three new riders and discusses potential expectations.

After the 2022 season, MotoGP is set to introduce three newcomers to its lineup: Fermin Aldeguer, Ai Ogura, and Somkiat Chantra.

For many years, MotoGP has been known for consistently developing new talent. However, in the past two years, only one fresh face has entered the top tier of the sport. In 2023, Augusto Fernandez made his debut with Tech3 after claiming the Moto2 championship title. The following year, in 2024, the new Moto2 champion, Pedro Acosta, joined the premier class.

It was no surprise that there was a lot of excitement about Acosta's first year, during which he achieved nine podium finishes in both sprint races and grand prix events while riding for the Tech3 GASGAS team.

The anticipation hasn't fully extended to the rookies of 2025, but Ogura arrives as the current Moto2 champion. Meanwhile, Aldeguer's impressive performance in the 2023 Moto2 season was sufficient to persuade Ducati that he was prepared for MotoGP at the beginning of the previous year.

Chantra's entry into the MotoGP lineup has surprised some, considering his career record of just two grand prix victories in 106 races. However, he makes history as Thailand's first representative in the top tier of the sport, and his first appearance is expected to receive resounding cheers at the season opener in Buriram.

It's common for newcomers to be measured against past first-timers who established new standards. In this scenario, the performance of Acosta in 2024 will be (unjustly) compared to the achievements of Ogura, Aldeguer, and Chantra this year.

Instead, Crash has chosen to consider who the three new riders of 2025 will replace as rookies within their teams and the standards established by those predecessors.

Ai Ogura – Trackhouse Racing (Replaces Darryn Binder)

The current Moto2 world champion surprised many by joining Trackhouse Racing during the 2024 silly season. However, the decision to bring the Japanese talent on board has proven to be a very wise move over time.

Ogura has been close to making his MotoGP debut for a while. However, he decided not to take a sure opportunity with Honda and LCR, opting instead for a new venture that seems more promising, considering the current performance of the RC213V compared to the RS-GP.

In a conversation with Crash.net, scheduled to be published this weekend, Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio shared that the US-based team was drawn to Ogura not only because of his racing speed but also due to his mindset and determination as a competitor.

As the Moto2 titleholder, Ogura will serve as the standard against which this year's newcomers will be measured. Within his own team, he faces the simplest comparison. Darryn Binder was the most recent rookie to compete for that squad when it was known as RNF.

The South African rider's move from Moto3 to MotoGP with the Yamaha satellite team was primarily driven by the financial support he provided. During his Moto3 career, he secured only one victory and developed a negative image due to his aggressive approach on the track.

Like any aspiring racer, he jumped at the opportunity to join MotoGP. However, in 2022, riding an outdated Yamaha setup, he managed to earn points only three times, achieving his highest finish with a 10th place in a rainy Indonesian Grand Prix. When RNF switched from Yamaha to Aprilia for the 2023 season, Binder was relegated back to Moto2, where he has also struggled to stand out.

Overall, Binder managed to earn only 12 points during his only year in MotoGP. Even though this was before the introduction of sprint races, Ogura is expected to easily achieve this score in his debut year.

Fermin Aldeguer – Gresini Racing (Replaces Fabio Di Giannantonio)

Aldeguer stands out as potentially the most fascinating newcomer in the 2025 lineup. His journey to grand prix racing was not typical, but he showcased his dominance in the CEV Stock600 series in 2020 and the CEV Moto2 series in 2021.

In 2021, he participated in the MotoE series before transitioning to a full-time role in Moto2 in 2022. The subsequent year, riding on a Boscoscuro chassis, he claimed victory in five grand prix races, including the last four of the season. This impressive performance secured him third place in the overall rankings and positioned him as a strong candidate for a MotoGP spot in 2025.

Before the start of the 2024 season, Ducati locked in his contract, and it turned out to be a smart move given Aldeguer's unpredictable performance. Despite achieving three wins, he concluded the season in fifth place, using the same chassis that Ogura had used to claim the championship.

Aldeguer encountered some doubts about what lay ahead for him. Initially, it seemed that he would join Pramac with a factory Ducati contract. However, the situation changed when Marc Marquez secured a factory deal, prompting Pramac to transition to Yamaha for the 2025 season. Ultimately, Ducati arranged for Aldeguer to ride for Gresini, although he would be using a motorcycle that was a year behind in terms of model.

For Aldeguer, the standard for newcomers at Gresini is set by Fabio Di Giannantonio, who began his MotoGP career with the team in 2022.

Di Giannantonio faced challenges during his debut season. It wasn't until the seventh race in France that he managed to earn any points, and he only achieved a top 10 finish once, placing eighth in Germany. However, everything changed for Di Giannantonio in 2023 when he teamed up with crew chief Frankie Carchedi, leading to his first victory in Qatar that year.

In 2025, the Italian will have a Ducati produced by the VR46 team.

In 2022, Di Giannantonio managed to secure a total of 24 points. The Gresini team, however, has shown that it functions like a close-knit family in recent years, willing to explore all possible options to enhance a rider's performance.

Di Giannantonio's situation could serve as a means to alleviate some of the stress for Aldeguer if he faces challenges during the initial year of his two-year contract.

Somkiat Chantra joins LCR Honda, taking over from Takaaki Nakagami. Many believed that when Ogura secured a deal with Trackhouse for the 2025 season, it ensured Nakagami would remain with LCR for an additional year.

LCR and Honda had different plans, choosing Chantra for the spot. The Idemitsu-sponsored section of the LCR team, designed for an Asian racer, welcomes Chantra with the enthusiastic support of Thailand, a country passionate about MotoGP.

For the upcoming two years, Buriram is set to hold the opening event of the season. Meanwhile, the championship plans to officially kick things off with an event in Bangkok on February 9. Given the profitable nature of the Thai market, Chantra's nationality certainly played in his favor.

In 2025, he stands as one of two former competitors from the Asia Talent Cup participating on the racetrack. Chantra claimed the championship title in the 2016 series, surpassing Ogura. To counter claims that he was selected merely for representation purposes, Chantra boasts two Moto2 grand prix victories.

Chantra is confronted with the most challenging situation among the three new riders in 2025. He is joining the team with the least competitive motorcycle and is succeeding Nakagami, who was a relatively strong newcomer for LCR.

In his debut season in 2018, the Japanese motorcyclist regularly earned points, concluding the year with a total of 33 points and achieving his top performance with a sixth-place finish in the chaotic and rainy final race at the Valencia Grand Prix. Nakagami subsequently became an important asset for Honda, particularly in the area of motorcycle development.

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Lando Norris undergoes a mental transformation: “He stopped being overly self-critical”

A Formula 1 analyst observed that Lando Norris changed his approach during the latter part of the 2024 season.

Ex-IndyCar racer James Hinchcliffe observed a distinct change in mindset from Lando Norris throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season.

In 2024, Norris had a standout year, securing four victories for McLaren and leading the team to their first constructors' championship in more than two decades.

Although those achievements were significant, Norris may have missed a chance to advance in the drivers' championship.

At the start of the season, Max Verstappen secured victory in seven out of the first ten races. Meanwhile, Norris and the McLaren team faced regret over several mistakes, especially in their race strategies, which enabled the Dutch driver to maintain a significant lead in the points rankings.

Norris gradually caught up to Verstappen, who made history by winning the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after starting in 17th position on the grid, which ultimately concluded the title competition.

During the 2024 season, Norris was openly self-critical during both the high and low points. However, towards the end of the season, Hinchcliffe noticed a shift in the British driver's mindset.

Hinchcliffe mentioned on The Red Flags podcast that there's a clear change in the way Lando discusses himself from the beginning of the year compared to the end.

"Every sportsperson tends to be extremely self-critical. Lando openly criticized himself a lot, but during the latter part of the year, he stopped doing that publicly."

"Even on days that weren't ideal, he wasn't being overly critical of himself anymore. When Oscar was eliminated in the first turn and Leclerc managed to climb from 19th to 8th place in the opening lap, the competition for the constructors' championship heated up. Lando had to be flawless; a single error that allowed Carlos to overtake would cost them the championship."

Is Norris poised to clinch the F1 championship in 2025? Considering McLaren's strong performance towards the end of the 2024 season, Norris is expected to enter the new year as the top contender for the title.

McLaren's vehicle performed reliably across various tracks.

On the other hand, Red Bull and Ferrari's performance fluctuated based on the specific features of each track, while for Mercedes, it was influenced by weather conditions.

After the summer break, Norris managed to correct several of his mistakes from earlier in the year, with the exception of a messy performance in the race in Brazil.

Facing significant pressure in Abu Dhabi, Norris secured victory starting from pole position, finishing ahead of both Ferrari drivers.

If Norris hadn't secured victory in the race, Ferrari would have clinched the constructors' championship because Oscar Piastri ended up in a poor position following his collision with Verstappen on the first lap.

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