Joan Mir Criticizes Honda MotoGP Test as 'Unproductive': 'Our Expectations Were Much Higher'

The 2020 world champion expressed disappointment over the limited updates during the Barcelona test.

Joan Mir expressed that the Barcelona MotoGP test on Tuesday "wasn't a fruitful day" for either him or Honda, as "all the things we tested were things we had already tested previously."

Last weekend, at the Solidarity Grand Prix, Honda wrapped up its most challenging season in MotoGP history, finishing at the bottom of the constructors' standings with only 75 points.

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Although the company has leveraged its role as a concession manufacturer to advance its RC213V, especially in the final stages of the season with the launch of a new aerodynamic package that enhanced cornering, it remains distant from competing for a podium finish.

During the official testing session following the San Marino Grand Prix, Honda introduced new components, such as aerodynamic upgrades, which contributed to an improvement in their performance.

During the Barcelona test this week, Mir completed 67 laps and finished in 15th place. However, he was disappointed because he believed there was a scarcity of new components to work with.

"I’m not satisfied. Today didn't go well in terms of getting things done," he remarked.

"We attempted strategies we've used previously. We didn't have any new improvements to increase our speed."

"We had been using our usual package along with one from the past that was ineffective."

"You can probably understand that the day didn't go as planned. I'm just hoping that we'll get more updates next week in Jerez."

In response to a question from Crash.net about whether Honda was putting in sufficient effort, he said, "I initially believed so, but in truth, our expectations were significantly higher."

Mir states that Honda informed him that the reason he had no new components to test was due to "the timing; they weren't able to produce it in time."

The world champion from 2020 emphasized that the post-season test is a crucial event of the year, which Honda has now missed as an opportunity to unveil a new motorcycle.

He mentioned that significant moments throughout the year include the Misano test, where they obtained some effective aerodynamics and a new engine setup.

"The final test of the season, whether it takes place in Valencia or, as in this instance, Barcelona, holds significant importance."

"In the past, it was common to spot two bikes from Honda among the manufacturers, and usually, a new bike would also be introduced. We didn't receive it this time. I am hopeful that we will receive it soon."

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Aston Martin clarifies why Dan Fallows was removed from his role as F1 technical director.

Aston Martin's performance director, Tom McCullough, has elucidated the factors contributing to Dan Fallows' departure from the Formula 1 team.

At the beginning of this month, Aston Martin revealed that Fallows, who had transitioned to the team from Red Bull in 2022, had stepped down from his position as technical director of the Silverstone-based team.

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Bob Bell, currently serving as the executive director, will temporarily take over his role. Meanwhile, Enrico Cardille, previously with Ferrari as the technical director, is set to join Aston Martin in the coming year. He will be working alongside Adrian Newey, who has been appointed as the managing technical partner.

Before the upcoming Grand Prix in Las Vegas, McCullough stated that Fallows was dismissed because of Aston Martin's disappointing results this year.

McCullough conveyed to the press in Las Vegas that the team's performance this year did not meet everyone's expectations. He acknowledged that they failed to deliver, indicating that this assessment was a collective conclusion by the team.

For the past couple of years, ever since Dan joined us, I've had the privilege of working side by side with him. His contributions have significantly influenced the evolution of both the '22 and '23 vehicles. Honestly, he's added immense value to our team.

Working alongside him has been an enjoyable experience from that perspective. However, throughout 2024, our performance on the track has not met the high standards we anticipated and aimed for.

"The progress in creating these vehicles has been challenging, and at the end of the day, it all comes down to how well they perform, right? As a result, the group has chosen to implement some alterations."

Aston Martin kicked off 2023 impressively, positioning themselves as Red Bull's closest rivals by consistently vying for top-three finishes as the season began.

The team's performance has significantly declined recently, and continued issues with development have hindered their advancement.

For a significant portion of 2024, Aston Martin has held onto the fifth spot in the constructors’ standings, trailing behind the leaders.

Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have both failed to secure a finish above fifth place.

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix globally for Crash.net. Typically providing firsthand reports, Lewis shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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Moto2 titleholder Ai Ogura felt anxious while riding alongside MotoGP legends during his first test appearance. "I thought I would be more astonished than I actually was," he remarked.

Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura confessed to feeling "nervous" as he participated in his debut test for Trackhouse Racing alongside MotoGP's leading riders on Tuesday at the Barcelona circuit.

In the summer, a Japanese motorcyclist inked a two-year contract with Aprilia's satellite team, paving the way for a move to MotoGP in 2025. This agreement has proven to be an excellent decision, especially after he clinched the Moto2 championship.

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On Tuesday, Ogura participated in the post-Solidarity GP test, marking his first appearance in MotoGP. During this session, he completed 86 laps using the 2024 version of the RS-GP bike.

He concluded the day in 21st place, ranking as the second-best among the three newcomers, despite experiencing a minor mishap at Turn 2 early in the session.

Reflecting on his initial experience riding a MotoGP bike, Ogura expressed, "Naturally, witnessing all these riders on the circuit and the presence of several cameras made me anxious. However, it was something I could handle."

When questioned about the most significant distinction between Moto2 and MotoGP, he emphasized that mastering throttle control to stabilize the bike is the primary challenge he needs to understand.

He mentioned that his primary challenge right now is entering corners.

"The most challenging aspect for me was managing the throttle to ensure the bike remained steady and accelerated smoothly. It feels somewhat different."

"Initially, I need to focus on improving the braking process. This includes everything from the moment I apply the brakes until I start accelerating again. I need to gain a better understanding of this phase, and it's my top priority to address."

Newcomers frequently mention that the strength of MotoGP engines and the effectiveness of carbon brakes are surprising when they transition from Moto2 for the first time.

However, for Ogura, the situation was different. He remarked, "It was fine. I anticipated feeling more astonished, but after a couple of laps, I quickly adapted to the speed."

“There isn’t much of a difference between the steel brakes and the carbon brakes. It doesn't pose any major issues for me.”

Ogura mentioned that he plans to boost his physical training during the winter months to prepare for the transition to MotoGP. Despite this, he did not feel overly fatigued after completing 86 laps on Tuesday.

He mentioned, "I completed 86 laps today, with the longest stretch being approximately 10 laps."

"For this race, I felt fine and didn't have any issues with my physical condition."

"I didn't manage to complete 20 consecutive laps today, so we'll have to wait and see. I'm feeling alright now, but I plan to train more intensely this winter compared to last year."

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Liam Lawson explains his remarks regarding McLaren and the national anthem, saying, "It was intended as a joke." He noted, "I found it amusing when I brought up this topic during a podcast. The comment was meant humorously, but it seems it was taken quite seriously."

Liam Lawson feels that his comments about McLaren's choice to play the British national anthem when they secure a victory in F1 were "misunderstood".

Lawson expressed doubts about the decision made by the Woking team to play the British national anthem after their Formula 1 race victories instead of the New Zealand anthem.

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McLaren was established in 1963 by Bruce McLaren, a celebrated racing figure from New Zealand, and joined Formula 1 in 1966.

McLaren has raced with a British license, which means that all of their 188 wins have been celebrated with the playing of ‘God Save the King’.

During a recent episode of The Red Flags podcast, Lawson raised this issue.

The New Zealander stated, "It doesn't add up. This is a team from New Zealand, yet the name remains McLaren."

"Red Bull, despite being located in the UK, plays the Austrian national anthem. On the other hand, McLaren, also based in the UK, is considered a New Zealand team."

"It's utter nonsense, to be frank, particularly for those hailing from New Zealand. Bruce McLaren holds legendary status."

During the pre-race FIA press conference for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lawson was questioned regarding his remarks.

He stated that his critique was intended as a humorous comment.

"I believe these are lessons I'm picking up in Formula 1. As Lando pointed out, things can be misinterpreted," he clarified. "It's quite ironic; I chuckled when I made that remark on a podcast. It was intended as more of a joke, but it ended up being taken very seriously."

"I don't have much more to contribute on that topic. Naturally, I'm extremely proud of my New Zealand heritage and our achievements in motorsport. Bruce McLaren stands out as a true legend in New Zealand's motorsport history."

"During my younger years, I admired and gained a lot of knowledge from this person."

"Certainly, I'm proud to be from New Zealand, but I don't have any comments to make about the national anthem."

Connor, known for his keen insight into Formula 1's controversies and narratives, is the driving force behind our objective reporting.

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Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez top the list for most crashes in the 2024 MotoGP season. Here is the ranking of riders based on the number of falls they experienced throughout the season.

Looking back on his first season in MotoGP, Pedro Acosta found himself thinking about the opportunities missed with 13 races where he failed to score any points.

The newcomer from GASGAS Tech3 outperformed the KTM competitors by achieving the most GP podiums with five, securing four Sprint podiums, earning one Pole position, and leading the race for 13 laps.

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Despite his efforts, he was surpassed by his future teammate Brad Binder for the fifth position in the world championship, with a narrow margin of merely two points.

During the final phase of the year, Acosta commented, "Consider the number of points I missed out on due to crashes in several races. It's significant! If I had finished fifth in each of those events, the points would really add up by the season's end."

"I should remember this as well! When there's no stress, you might be able to go all out, but sometimes it's necessary to ease up a little."

According to the official MotoGP statistics for the 2024 season, Acosta experienced the highest number of crashes, totaling 28 incidents over the course of 20 races. It's important to note that he did not participate in the Australian Grand Prix due to an injury.

"There were numerous errors and challenging times," Acosta reflected on his first year in the top-tier racing class. "Conversely, there were also many positive experiences, battling for wins, making significant progress, and gaining a deeper understanding of MotoGP."

"For this reason, my happiness outweighs my sadness."

The following racer to encounter a crash in the MotoGP circuit was Marc Marquez, who is in his twelfth season. This year, he transitioned from Honda to Ducati and experienced 24 falls.

Last year, Marquez led the list with a record-breaking 29 crashes during his last season with Repsol Honda, which was also the inaugural year for Sprint races. This was achieved even though he was absent for three rounds and missed two additional Sunday races.

Numerous individuals anticipated that Marquez wouldn't need to push the Desmosedici to its absolute limits, unlike the underperforming RCV. This raises the question: why has he experienced so many crashes?

Marquez reflected on the season, noting that he experienced numerous crashes early on, though he asserted that not all of them were due to his own errors.

"However, I did experience a few accidents that puzzled me, which also slightly diminished my confidence. As a result, we had to make another attempt to properly determine the limit."

Despite this, Marquez experienced a fall in just 5 out of the 40 races, including an incident with Francesco Bagnaia in Portimao.

Marquez expressed that what he finds most encouraging is having falls during practice sessions. He emphasized that during the main race, his priority is to remain on the bike, which he considers the most crucial aspect.

"I aim to crash less frequently, but right now, I'm not overly concerned about the number of times it happens."

On the opposite side of the practice-to-race accident comparison was Bagnaia, the current double title holder and future teammate.

Throughout the season, the Italian racer experienced just nine falls, ranking him 17th overall. However, he failed to complete eight races, with one non-finish caused by a technical problem at Le Mans, hindering his pursuit of the championship title.

Ranked third on the list of falls for 2024 was Marc's younger sibling, Alex, who is also part of the Gresini Ducati team. Alex experienced 21 crashes, including an incident with Bagnaia at Aragon.

Jack Miller from Red Bull KTM secured the fourth spot with 20 falls. Meanwhile, his teammate Brad Binder, along with Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez, who rides alongside Acosta, each had 19 falls.

The presence of all four KTMs among the top seven highlights the challenging characteristics of the RC16 this year.

Jorge Martin, the new world champion, experienced 15 crashes while riding his Pramac Ducati, though these incidents occurred over just four races.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Luca Marini, the new Repsol Honda rider, had the fewest crashes of any full-time competitor, with just four falls throughout the entire season.

Leading Yamaha motorcyclist Fabio Quartararo experienced a total of just nine falls.

Zonta VD Goorbergh led the Moto2 crash statistics, while David Almansa and Filippo Farioli were at the top of the Moto3 crash list, each experiencing 18 incidents in the inaugural year of using Pirelli tires.

The MotoGP's official statistics account for crashes that happen during race weekends, excluding those that occur during testing sessions.

List of Riders Who Crashed in the 2024 Moto

*A substitute or temporary rider.

For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing both the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently a key figure in the unfolding narrative of Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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Former F1 driver, who lost his seat, is being considered as an ideal candidate to join Sky Sports as Damon Hill's successor. Daniel Ricciardo is named as a potential replacement for Hill at Sky Sports F1.

According to Johnny Herbert, Daniel Ricciardo, who was recently let go, would be a perfect fit to take over Damon Hill's position at Sky Sports F1.

Damon Hill, who won the world championship in 1996 and has been an integral member of the Sky Sports commentary team since they acquired the UK broadcasting rights for Formula 1 in 2012, recently revealed his surprising decision to leave after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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According to Herbert, a former colleague and ex-Formula 1 driver, Sky should consider inviting Ricciardo to join their television team, given that his time in grand prix racing seems to have ended following his replacement by Liam Lawson at RB.

Herbert stated to FlashscoreUSA.com that his choice for a new addition to the F1 Sky team would be Daniel Ricciardo.

"He possesses the necessary experience, a friendly appearance, and is appealing on screen, making him quite well-liked. He has a pleasant personality and effectively communicates the knowledge he has gained from his experiences."

"He has experienced both ups and downs, and those are the stories that captivate audiences. Daniel would make a great addition."

Herbert disclosed that Hill felt discontented due to the negative comments directed at him on social media following his recent critique of Max Verstappen from Red Bull.

Herbert mentioned that since Damon Hill began his punditry career in 2012, he has consistently questioned the reasons behind his involvement in it.

Each year, he expressed uncertainty about repeating the experience. Yet, for the following 12 years, he returned consistently! Honestly, I'm not sure if it was his choice or if Sky influenced the decision.

"Was it because he wasn't enjoying it? Possibly. I understand he faced criticism over the Max situations, and perhaps he thought, 'I don't need this.' There are changes happening. If he was forced out, it raises questions about the future of Martin Brundle and David Croft."

He felt extremely upset about the intense backlash he faced due to his remarks about Max. Damon, who has a son with Down syndrome, actively supports the Halow Project through his charitable endeavors. Much of the hostility directed at me for criticizing Max's driving was channeled through social media platforms associated with the charity, which was absurd.

Individuals were accessing the Halow charity's Instagram profile to reach out to me. Perhaps the influx of negative comments influenced his decision. Detractors also utilized the BRDC's account to criticize me over issues like the time penalties, the qualifying rounds in Brazil, and starting positions lower down the grid. We faced allegations of being unfairly biased against Max.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. He often provides on-site reports, sharing the narratives of key figures in the motorsport world.

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Pedro Acosta mentioned that the motorcycle occasionally behaves unpredictably. He added that it's more stable now, which is crucial.

On his inaugural day as a factory MotoGP racer, Pedro Acosta, a newcomer for the 2024 season, concentrated on efforts to 'stabilize' his KTM bike.

The most noticeable changes were related to aerodynamics. The rider, who has finished on the podium five times, tested various fairing designs on his RC16. One of these designs was particularly striking, featuring a very small windscreen.

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Acosta mentioned that he experimented with about four to five different fairings. Meanwhile, Brad Binder concentrated more on the electronic aspects. Acosta expressed satisfaction, noting that reaching conclusions about aerodynamics can often be challenging.

"We experimented with several options, and once I created the rear section and compared it with my usual fairings, the results were favorable."

"The bike feels slightly more stable, which is crucial. You can see how our bike tends to wobble significantly at the end, as shown on TV, and this makes it challenging for traction and other aspects."

In the initial part of the day, Acosta recorded the quickest time before dropping to ninth position, trailing by 0.768 seconds. Meanwhile, his new teammate, Brad Binder, emerged as the fastest KTM rider, securing the sixth spot with a time 0.705 seconds behind the leader.

Acosta went on to explain that they weren't focusing on anything related to rear grip.

The main issue was with the front, as we often do wheelies, causing the bike to shake significantly, especially the handlebars. Occasionally, the bike starts behaving unpredictably.

"We concentrated more on the electronic aspects."

Acosta's upcoming event is scheduled for February at Sepang. What are his expectations for the experience in Malaysia?

He responded by saying, "I want more power, better handling, a bike that’s more stable, improved traction—essentially, I want it all!"

"If we can enhance traction and create a calmer experience, I would be pleased."

For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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2025 MotoGP: The Crew Chiefs Behind Each Rider

A complete list of rider and crew chief combinations for the 2025 MotoGP season

The 2025 MotoGP lineup has undergone significant changes, as several riders have either moved to different teams or entered the competition for the first time.

When teams undergo changes, some experience a shift in their crew chief, whereas others remain the same but introduce new trackside technicians into their garages.

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The list below shows the team pairings of crew chiefs and riders for the year 2025.

Ducati's official racing team comprises rider Marc Marquez paired with engineer Marco Rigamonti, and rider Francesco Bagnaia teamed up with engineer Cristian Gabarrini.

Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez has joined the factory Ducati team, marking his third change in crew chief over the past three years.

Following his departure from Honda and Santi Hernandez at the close of 2023, Marquez joined forces with Frankie Carchedi at Gresini for the 2024 season. However, his move to the factory Ducati team did not maintain this partnership, as the Italian team decided to team him up with Marco Rigamonti, who was previously Enea Bastianini’s crew chief.

Rigamonti has had past collaborations with Andrea Iannone during their tenure at Ducati and Suzuki, and he also worked alongside Johann Zarco in the Avintia and Pramac Ducati teams.

Gabarrini has served as the crew chief for Francesco Bagnaia during his time as MotoGP champion and has previously collaborated with Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo.

Honda's official racing team includes Joan Mir, who works with Santi Hernandez, and Luca Marini, who is paired with Christian Pupulin.

Following Marc Marquez's departure from Honda to join Gresini Ducati at the conclusion of the previous year, Joan Mir assumed responsibility for his crew chief, Hernandez.

Luca Marini has a new crew chief, with Christian Pupulin stepping in to take over from Giacomo Guidotti. Guidotti has moved to Pramac to join Jack Miller's team, whereas Pupulin has prior experience working with the Australian rider at KTM.

Aprilia Racing Team

Jorge Martin – Daniele Romagnoli

Marco Bezzecchi – Francesco Venturato

Newly crowned MotoGP champion Jorge Martin is joining the factory Aprilia team, and he will be accompanied by Daniele Romagnoli, who comes with him from Pramac.

Marco Bezzecchi has moved on from working with Matteo Flamigni at VR46 and has now teamed up with Francesco Venturato at Aprilia. Venturato was the performance engineer for Maverick Vinales earlier this year.

KTM's official racing team features Pedro Acosta, with Paul Trevathan, and Brad Binder, alongside Andres Madrid.

Pedro Acosta, although new to the factory KTM team, arrives with his crew chief, Paul Trevathan, who previously worked with him at Tech 3. Meanwhile, Brad Binder continues his partnership with Andrea Madrid.

Gresini

Fermin Aldeguer collaborates with Frankie Carchedi, while Alex Marquez teams up with Donatello Giovanotti.

First-year MotoGP rider Aldeguer is teaming up with Frankie Carchedi, who was previously the crew chief for Marc Marquez, for this season. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez will maintain his collaboration with Donatello Giovanotti.

Yamaha Racing Team

Fabio Quartararo – Diego Gubellini

Alex Rins – David Munoz

Fabio Quartararo continues his collaboration with Diego Gubellini, his crew chief since he first entered MotoGP in 2019. Meanwhile, David Munoz, who previously worked with Valentino Rossi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, joins forces with Alex Rins, stepping in for Patrick Primmer.

VR46 Team

Franco Morbidelli – Matteo Flamigni

Fabio Di Giannantonio – Massimo Branchini

Veteran mechanic Matteo Flamigni, who has worked with Valentino Rossi and previously served as crew chief for Marco Bezzecchi, is teaming up with Franco Morbidelli for his transition to the VR46 team. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio is set to work with Massimo Branchini, marking his fourth crew chief collaboration in as many years.

In 2024, Branchini held the position of crew chief for Morbidelli at Pramac.

Tech3 Team

Enea Bastianini – Crew Chief Alberto Giribuola

Maverick Vinales – Crew Chief Manuel Cazeaux

Next year, Enea Bastianini will join the Tech3 KTM team, reuniting with Alberto Giribuola, who previously served as his crew chief in 2022 at Gresini.

Maverick Vinales has taken Manu Cazeaux along from Aprilia.

Pramac

Miguel Oliveira – Luca Ferracioli

Jack Miller – Giacomo Guidotti

Pramac has introduced an entirely new team for its first appearance with Yamaha in 2025, which includes the addition of two new crew chiefs. Miguel Oliveira will collaborate with Luca Ferracioli, who previously teamed up with Luca Marini during his debut season in 2021.

Giacomo Guidotti will part ways with Honda to join Jack Miller's team next year.

Trackhouse

Raul Fernandez – Noe Herrera

Ai Ogura – Giovanni Mattarollo

New MotoGP entrant Ai Ogura is set to collaborate with Giovanni Mattarollo, who previously served as the crew chief for Miguel Oliveira. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez will maintain his partnership with Noe Herrera.

LCR

Johann Zarco – David Garcia Somkiat Chantra – Klaus Nohles

Johann Zarco will continue working alongside David Garcia in his second year at LCR Honda. Meanwhile, MotoGP newcomer Somkiat Chantra is teaming up with Klaus Nohles, who was previously the crew chief for Takaaki Nakagami.

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Franco Morbidelli on his VR46 debut: "There's something special here"

"We possess something extraordinary, and it's crucial we make the most of it"

Franco Morbidelli is enthusiastic about taking advantage of his special bond with VR46 as he joins Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team for the 2025 season.

The Italian rider, who became the VR46 Academy's first world champion in Moto2 in 2017 and later won a MotoGP race in 2020, is transitioning from the Pramac team.

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In addition to being in a known environment, Morbidelli is among the select riders who will retain the same model of motorcycle in 2025.

This year, Morbidelli rode a factory Desmosedici GP24 for Pramac, the same bike that his teammate Jorge Martin used to clinch the championship. However, Morbidelli missed the entire pre-season testing period because of head injuries.

The ex-Yamaha racer, who previously finished as a title runner-up, secured a podium finish in the Sprint race at Misano, claimed fourth place at the Indonesian Grand Prix, and ended up ninth in the overall rankings.

During the Barcelona test on Tuesday, he made his first appearance with Pertamina VR46, finishing in seventh place, just 0.762 seconds behind.

"Morbidelli mentioned that today was crucial for familiarizing himself with the colleagues he will collaborate with in the coming year."

This encompasses Matteo Flamigni, who once served as Marco Bezzecchi's crew chief and was previously Valentino Rossi's electronics engineer.

"I have been acquainted with numerous team members for several years, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to collaborate with them," stated Morbidelli.

"I've admired Matteo since I was young; he made a name for himself with Vale as his electronics engineer, and we got along well."

Morbidelli expressed his respect for everyone in the team, highlighting the strong bonds and mutual understanding they share. He believes this unique connection is something special that should be utilized effectively.

"It's essential to utilize it to quickly establish connections and relationships in order to accomplish our goals."

The debut on Tuesday went smoothly according to expectations.

Morbidelli described the first day as excellent. He mentioned making adjustments to the bike to gain insights and enhance the understanding between him and his team.

"That will be the key factor next year. As we deepen our understanding of one another during these challenging times, our performance and responses during race weekends will improve."

"I enjoy the environment here; it has all the necessary elements for success. We put in a lot of effort, and I decided against using the soft tire at the end because the temperature was too low to enhance our lap time. All in all, it was an excellent beginning."

What about the unique types of leather?

"Lovely. I'm eager to see additional pictures as they were quite enjoyable."

Fabio di Giannantonio, who is on the same team as Morbidelli, was unable to participate in the test because he recently underwent surgery on his shoulder.

For two decades, Peter has been a prominent figure in the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from start to finish. Currently, he is closely involved with the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's ongoing injury challenges.

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Honda's MotoGP Test Results: Why Zarco Isn't Worried Despite 'Not Very Positive' Steps

LCR Racer Shares Thoughts on Barcelona MotoGP Testing

Johann Zarco expressed that his experience with the 2025 Honda during the post-season MotoGP test in Barcelona was "not very positive." However, he remains calm and is "not getting stressed" over it.

Joan Mir, a rider for the Honda factory team, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Japanese brand for not introducing new components during Tuesday's test in Barcelona.

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The 2020 world champion mentioned that all the components he experimented with for 2025 were advancements he had already tested earlier this year. He anticipated having additional new parts.

After completing 65 laps, Zarco secured the 10th position overall in the test and emerged as the fastest HRC rider. However, he was also dissatisfied with the progress of the bike he tested.

"We tried out a different bike, but the results weren't very promising," he started by saying.

The information suggests that it might be wise to avoid pursuing this path in February. When I switched from my current race bike to the new model, I focused on refining my riding technique and aimed to make the most efficient use of the bike.

"I had a great time today as I focused on short, high-quality runs, which was really enjoyable. We experimented with various approaches that resulted in some positive experiences."

Overall, the day was favorable, but in terms of Honda's goals for the upcoming year, it's necessary to hold a meeting to evaluate the situation and decide whether to continue pursuing the direction taken today.

"I believe they won't take that step. Overall, when we compare it to the other motorcycles, we've noticed enhancements in our engine."

"This is crucial since our bike isn't the quickest. Having power is essential to compete effectively on straight sections and secure advantageous positions for overtaking during braking."

"The vulnerable aspect of our bicycle is the control of the rear grip."

"We have yet to discover anything that would allow us to make progress. This grip control could aid in speeding up, but it might also assist in improving the braking section, which is currently our main weakness."

Zarco experimented with a new chassis among other modifications, but he mentioned that it diminished the strengths of the RC213V and failed to address its traction issues.

However, he remains calm and is not panicking because he believes that experimenting with something unsuccessful can still benefit Honda.

"I believe it was about focusing on the good aspects," he mentioned.

"Our vulnerable area remained unchanged, which is significant. That's the reason I'm not overly concerned, as our pace wasn't substantially reduced."

"Since our speed is still not on par with a Ducati, our upcoming measures need to enhance our lap time."

"For me, it was a productive day because we completed numerous strong laps, and I felt good focusing on improving myself."

"We conducted tests in various parts of the bike, received positive feedback, and gathered crucial information that will be analyzed over the winter."

"It's not an entirely new initiative, but the changes they introduced were not very beneficial for the riders."

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The overlooked standout performer at the 2024 Barcelona MotoGP testing event

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, Crash.net provides an analysis of the post-season test held in Barcelona.

Earlier this week, the 2024 MotoGP post-season test in Barcelona saw several significant modifications on the grid.

As everyone focused on new world champion Jorge Martin taking his initial spin on the Aprilia and Marc Marquez making his debut in the factory Ducati garage, another rider made a notable impression during his first experience with the KTM, albeit with less fanfare.

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Maverick Vinales transitioned from Aprilia to join KTM's Tech3 team for the 2025 season. He delivered a noteworthy performance by finishing 12th, positioning himself between the official RS-GP bikes as he adapted to the RC16.

In the latest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the hosts talk about Vinales' first impressions of the bike and analyze what insights can be gathered from his debut test ride on the KTM.

"Vinales found the transition to Aprilia intriguing and quickly developed an appreciation for the engine's power," stated Peter McLaren, Editor at Crash MotoGP.

"He likely had the highest top speed during the test. He also really enjoyed the starts; the KTM's starting performance is arguably the best in MotoGP, possibly even faster than Ducati's."

He thoroughly enjoyed that experience. He expressed some uncertainty regarding the high-speed turns, areas where the Aprilia excelled, but he mentioned that it felt quite good overall.

"At the beginning stages, you need to tread carefully regarding grip levels during testing, particularly if you're a manufacturer struggling with grip issues. Most of these factories are on the hunt for improved grip or traction in some form."

"It's important to exercise caution when forming conclusions from a Tuesday test, especially when there's already been a full day of racing on the track. However, Vinales mentioned that his initial reaction was very favorable."

Jordan Moreland, the Social Media Manager at Crash, commented, "He seemed very self-assured and appeared to be a perfect match."

Maverick possesses a flair that allows him to appear impressive on any motorcycle he rides. Whether it was the Suzuki, Yamaha, or Aprilia, he consistently looked great.

"It seems he's a valuable asset due to his extensive experience. Despite being tagged as unreliable, with unpredictable weekly performance, he's still regarded as a good person to have around."

"I previously mentioned that there will be a weekend next year when he will be competing for a victory."

In the words of Crash's senior journalist, Lewis Duncan, during the debrief he described it as "natural."

"I haven't seen Maverick so joyful in quite a while. He was genuinely delighted with the motorcycle and appreciates everything about it. Maverick believes he is the top starter in MotoGP, at least from the data he's reviewed, and he was amazed by the capabilities of the KTM."

"He is evidently thrilled about the transition to KTM. He has always been eager to try out the bike, and now that he has, it seems he's quite enthusiastic about the future."

"Clearly, we have to be somewhat skeptical about Maverick's statements at times. Over the weekend, he admitted that he still can't quite grasp why the Americas GP and Portugal weekends were so exceptional, as these events were unusual compared to others."

"Is the success due to him or the bike? Considering Aprilia's performance after that moment, which later declined, it's challenging to determine. This is Maverick's main issue."

"He seems to be overly sensitive. When everything is ideal, his performance is outstanding. However, if conditions aren't perfect, his performance drastically declines. This issue has been noticeable with the KTMs this season."

"When they're performing well, they're leading the pack. However, when they're not at their best, like during last weekend's qualifying, Acosta made it to Q2, but the following KTM rider only placed 18th."

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George Russell Expresses Frustration Among F1 Drivers Towards FIA

Currently, it seems there is no immediate action, which has caught me off guard. However, it's possible that developments may occur in the future.

George Russell has revealed that the FIA has yet to reply to the statement made by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association concerning improper behavior by F1 drivers.

At the beginning of this month, the GPDA shared an extensive message on their newly launched Instagram page, discussing various topics.

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The letter addressed the matter of profanity, highlighting instances where Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were fined. It also urged FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to reflect on his choice of words and manner of speaking.

The FIA has experienced a few chaotic weeks recently, as they decided to substitute F1 race director Niels Wittich with Rui Marques for the last three races of the season.

During a press conference held by the FIA in Las Vegas before the race this weekend, Russell, who leads the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, was questioned about whether the FIA had contacted him after the previous statement was made.

Russell responded, "Not right now, which is somewhat unexpected for me, but there might be developments later. We'll see."

The letter also brought up the topic of penalties.

Russell believes that there isn't enough clarity regarding the final destination of the funds collected by the FIA through fines.

Russell stated that a couple of years back, during discussions with the FIA about the presidential elections, the focus was on transparency and the intention to reinvest funds into grassroots racing, which everyone supports.

When discussing hefty fines, it's clear that several drivers in the lineup have the financial means to pay them without issue. However, there are likely some newcomers who would struggle to pay a $1 million penalty.

"We need clarity on where the funds are being reinvested and whether they are being directed towards grassroots initiatives or training programs. Our main concern is having transparency and a clear understanding of the original promises."

"Frustrated with the circumstances"

Between the races in Brazil and Las Vegas, the FIA experienced another resignation when Paolo Basarri stepped down from his role as compliance officer.

Russell acknowledged that the FIA is "undoubtedly not the most stable organization" and noted that many drivers are "likely frustrated with the current circumstances."

He acknowledged that everyone is putting in maximum effort to perform their duties effectively. "The FIA experiences frequent changes, making it an unstable environment," he mentioned. "This instability might be the reason why implementing some of the desired changes has been difficult."

Certainly, each person has their perspective on their experiences. I believe that if we sense our voices are being heard and some of the adjustments we suggest are put into action, it could boost our confidence. After all, our aim is to improve the sport.

A lot of drivers are likely frustrated with how things are going. It appears that the situation is largely moving in the wrong direction.

Connor plays a crucial role in our impartial coverage, thanks to his keen sense of Formula 1's disputes and narratives.

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