Jorge Martin asserts he won't assume the role of Aprilia's MotoGP team captain as Espargaro once did

"I sense the obligation to spearhead this initiative"

MotoGP champion Jorge Martin has acknowledged that he "will never fulfill the role of Captain" at Aprilia in the same way Aleix Espargaro did, yet he "is open to taking on the leadership" within the team.

Over his last eight seasons in MotoGP, Espargaro was pivotal in transforming Aprilia from a team that typically finished in the middle of the pack into one that achieved race victories.

He declared his departure from racing at the Catalan Grand Prix and will serve as Honda's test rider in the coming year.

A little more than a week after revealing his decision to retire, Martin entered into a long-term agreement with the Aprilia factory team, following Ducati's reversal on their initial plan to elevate him to their primary team for the 2025 season.

During his tenure with Aprilia, Espargaro earned the nickname 'the Captain' due to his leadership qualities.

Martin believes that achieving the same level of success will be challenging for him.

"I believe I'll never manage to match Aleix's role as 'Captain,' given his nine-year tenure during which he elevated Aprilia from obscurity to achieving race victories and contending for the world championship," he shared with AS.

"I'm willing to take on that duty. I believe it's my role to spearhead this project, and I'm committed to doing whatever necessary, within my capabilities, to elevate this bike to its utmost potential."

Martin is of the opinion that Espargaro would have remained with Aprilia for at least an additional year if he had made his decision to join the Italian brand sooner.

"Had I made the choice to join this brand sooner than I did, Aleix would definitely have extended his contract for at least one more year," he further stated.

"Yet, existence comprises various circumstances and instances."

Espargaro and Martin share an exceptionally tight bond, with the former often affectionately calling the current world champion his son multiple times.

In addition to his role as a test rider for Honda, Espargaro has agreed to serve as an ambassador for the Lidl-Trek cycling team in the coming year.

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Jorge Martin has stated he won't assume the role of team leader for Aprilia in MotoGP, a position previously held by Espargaro.

He expressed his commitment to spearheading the initiative.

MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin has acknowledged that he "will never fully step into the Captain's role" at Aprilia in the way Aleix Espargaro did, yet he is "willing to take on the leadership" of the team.

Over the last eight years of his MotoGP journey, Espargaro was pivotal in transforming Aprilia from an intermediate team to victors on the track.

He declared his departure from competitive racing at the Catalan Grand Prix and will serve as Honda's test rider the following year.

A little more than a week after declaring his retirement, Martin inked a long-term agreement with the Aprilia factory team, following Ducati's reversal of its initial choice to elevate him to its official team for the 2025 season.

During his tenure with Aprilia, Espargaro earned the nickname 'the Captain' due to his leadership qualities.

Martin believes that reaching those same peaks will be challenging for him.

"I believe I can't ever step into the 'Captain' role in the same way Aleix did, given his nine-year tenure, during which he elevated Aprilia from obscurity to winning races and contending for the world championship," he conveyed to AS.

"I'm willing to embrace that duty. I sense it's my role to spearhead this project, and I'm committed to doing everything within my capacity to elevate this bike to its utmost potential."

Martin also thinks that if Espargaro had made his decision to join the Italian brand sooner, he likely would have remained with Aprilia for an additional year.

"Had I made the choice to join this brand sooner than I did, Aleix would undoubtedly have signed on for an additional year at least," he further stated.

"Life consists of various events and instances."

Espargaro and Martin share a remarkably tight bond, often with Espargaro affectionately calling the current world champion his son multiple times.

In addition to his responsibilities as a test rider for Honda, Espargaro has also inked an agreement to serve as an ambassador for the Lidl-Trek cycling team in the upcoming year.

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Departing Yamaha MotoGP team leader shares unrealized professional aspiration

“My ambition was to achieve 10 championships”

Departing Yamaha MotoGP team leader Lin Jarvis revealed his aspiration to clinch 10 championships in the top division, wishing that the last two victories would be secured by Fabio Quartararo.

Jarvis concluded his extensive career at Yamaha, where he had played a significant role in its grand prix initiative starting from 1998, at the close of the previous year.

During his tenure, he witnessed Valentino Rossi's prime years with the Japanese manufacturer, Jorge Lorenzo's emergence and the competition between them, and more recently, Quartararo's triumph in the championship.

The past couple of years have been challenging for Yamaha, witnessing a steep decline from champions in 2021 to failing to secure any podium finishes in 2024.

Nonetheless, Jarvis successfully secured Quartararo and Alex Rins with fresh two-year contracts, orchestrated the revival of a satellite setup through Pramac for 2025, and made crucial staff acquisitions to strengthen Yamaha's resurgence initiative.

Paolo Pavesio will take over Jarvis' position in 2025.

In a conversation with the Greek media outlet MotoGP World, Jarvis expressed that while he regrets not securing additional championships with Quartararo, he concludes his career with a sense of accomplishment, feeling as though he has "finished what he set out to do."

"Jarvis expressed, 'Honestly, after clinching the championship back in 2021, I never anticipated that the following years would be as challenging as they have been for us.'"

"I had aspirations that over the course of my professional journey, which I was aware would conclude eventually, I would secure at least two additional championships with Yamaha, all thanks to Fabio."

"My ambition was to reach 10 championships. However, by mid-2022, it became clear that Ducati's progress, both in terms of development and performance, was advancing at a pace we couldn't match."

"By 2022, we already found ourselves facing challenges. Following that, in 2023, we collaborated with the former Formula 1 engine director, Luca Marmorini, who provided significant assistance, particularly with engine-related issues."

"Starting then, we initiated our rebuilding process as we observed Ducati, along with other European brands such as KTM and Aprilia, expanding quickly."

We continued to progress in that manner. Meanwhile, Honda stayed the same. Therefore, to bridge this gap, we had to make a significant investment.

"In 2023, we initiated anew, implementing numerous alterations throughout the year. It brings me great satisfaction to know I'll be departing at the year's end while still in my present position.

"Had I departed at the conclusion of the previous year, it would have seemed to me that I barely scratched the surface of my responsibilities. Previously, there wasn't even a basic structure in place for what was to come."

"However, we've accomplished much more this year."

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KTM's leader comments on the highs and lows of the 2024 MotoGP campaign

"Being the runner-up manufacturer is quite an achievement…"

The future of KTM's MotoGP initiative is clouded by the Austrian firm's financial difficulties, yet it managed to secure second place in the constructors' rankings as the 2024 season concluded.

Ducati outperformed all competitors in the 2024 Grands Prix season, clinching victory in all races except for one, marking a more successful season than KTM experienced, at least in terms of official results

Nonetheless, the company based in Mattighofen has not secured a Grand Prix victory for three consecutive seasons, and its stretch without a win, counting Sprints, extends to the Spanish Sprint in 2023.

"Truthfully, we had set our sights a bit more ambitiously, particularly for Brad [Binder] and Jack [Miller]," KTM's motorsport director Pit Beirer admitted to MotoGP.com, "however, it's been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. The summer proved challenging, but we were at least able to steady the ship and secure some respectable outcomes."

Reflecting on our performance, we've achieved six podium finishes in the Sprint races and another six in the Grand Prix on Sundays. This makes us the second leading manufacturer, which is a fantastic achievement.

"Indeed, we anticipated being more competitive with the Ducati team, who have once again excelled this season. We must acknowledge their remarkable efforts in the field, yet we remain committed to battling, pushing forward, and gaining insights."

"Our team senses that we're narrowing the gap and have lately been encouraged by positive input from Brad and Pedro Acosta. Our current goal for the closing round is to clinch the fifth and sixth spots, along with securing the runner-up position in the manufacturers' standings."

"However, I prefer to maintain an optimistic viewpoint, focusing on the positives rather than the negatives. I believe we are well-placed in terms of our sports strategy as we head into the next season, especially with the inclusion of new team members. In the recent weeks, we’ve gained significant insights about our motorcycle, which is crucial."

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Marc Marquez's Transition to Ducati in 2025 MotoGP: Five Key Challenges Ahead

Switching to a factory team, the eight-time world champion gears up for unique obstacles.

Marc Marquez is set to become part of the official Ducati MotoGP team in the 2025 season, amid great anticipation for his career progression.

Five years have passed since Marquez last clinched the world championship title, marking the culmination of his most successful season in the premier class back in 2019.

His career faced a significant hurdle following a severe arm injury caused by an accident during the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix, compounded by a swift downturn in Honda’s performance.

Marquez opted for a one-year-old Ducati with Gresini Racing in 2024 to test his competitive edge. This decision quickly demonstrated its worth, leading Ducati to elevate him to their premier team in 2025.

Marquez's strategic move to achieve his goals has diminished Ducati's strength. This maneuver resulted in the departure of the 2024 world champion Jorge Martin to Aprilia, shifted Pramac's allegiance to Yamaha, and saw Marco Bezzecchi and Enea Bastianini leave for Aprilia and KTM, respectively.

Additionally, the internal dynamics within the team must be taken into account. Up until this point, Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia have maintained a cordial relationship. However, it's widely recognized that the VR46 faction was displeased with Ducati's abrupt change of direction last summer.

As we enter 2025, Crash examines the top five challenges Marquez will encounter with the factory Ducati team this season.

Martin hailed Bagnaia as the finest he's ever been following the 2024 season. This praise was well-earned, as the two-time world champion secured victories in 11 grand prix events, narrowly losing the championship by a mere 10 points, even after failing to score in eight races.

In the contemporary era, only elite racers such as Valentino Rossi, Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, and Casey Stoner have achieved the feat of winning as many Grand Prix races in one season.

Bagnaia admits to his errors and their significant impact. Should he rectify them by 2025, his quickness remains undisputed. So far, as teammates at Ducati, Marquez and Bagnaia have engaged in just one direct contest for the win.

At the Spanish Grand Prix the previous year, Bagnaia emerged victorious. The two had already experienced a clash during the second round in Portugal. Therefore, it's reasonable to expect that their competition in 2025 will be intense.

Considering his accomplishments riding the older GP23 model, numerous people, among them his ex-crew chief Frankie Carchedi who shared his thoughts on the Crash MotoGP Podcast, are of the opinion that Marquez is poised for major success in 2025.

However, the competition Bagnaia presents could be considered the toughest Marquez has faced from a teammate.

Anticipation is building for an occurrence not witnessed since 2019

Marc Marquez consistently draws significant interest with his actions. His switch to the Gresini Ducati for the 2023 post-season tests sparked expectations for his immediate return to victory.

Marquez moderated those anticipations, and his caution was justified. By the time of the Spanish Grand Prix, he believed he had fully adjusted to the Desmosedici from the Honda. However, there was an unforeseen variable for 2024, the effects of which were impossible to foresee: the introduction of Michelin's new rear tire.

By 2025, this issue will be resolved, as the Ducati factory team quickly adjusted to the new rear tyre.

This demonstrates that there are still numerous uncertainties each season. Moreover, Marquez hasn't contended for a title since 2019. Given these circumstances, the question arises: Can he manage the stress as effectively as Bagnaia, who has more recent experience in dealing with such pressures?

Marquez isn't in the twilight years of his age, yet his professional journey is nearer to its conclusion than its start. As 2020 has shown us, certainty is a luxury not afforded. With each season that goes by, Marquez faces dwindling chances to clinch additional titles, a challenge he hasn't encountered in his career until now.

For the third consecutive year, Marquez will collaborate with a new crew chief. Upon his transition from Honda to Ducati, he parted ways with Santi Hernandez and joined forces with Frankie Carchedi, who previously worked with Joan Mir.

This partnership turned out to be beneficial and appeared to mesh well from an external viewpoint, as both the rider and crew chief consistently overcame every challenge they encountered throughout a race weekend.

Ducati evidently believes it's making the right decision, yet it raises the question of why it chose not to include Carchedi with Marquez in their plans.

This doesn't mean Marco Rigamonti is a step back. In the past, Rigamonti has collaborated with Enea Bastianini, along with working alongside Johann Zarco and Andrea Iannone throughout various periods.

However, the dynamics between a rider and their chief mechanic can be complex. It's not just about the engineer's expertise. Marquez will need to adjust to this, as well as to the experience of working with a complete factory team once again.

The competitor he surpassed for the position

Indeed, this might appear somewhat obvious. However, Marquez was promoted over Jorge Martin for the premier seat, an achievement he must now diligently prove was deserved.

Ducati openly acknowledged its belief in Martin's potential to become the world champion in 2024 while making its plans for 2025. Nevertheless, the likelihood of him racing for Aprilia adorned with the champion's number one plate in the future is bound to be a sore point.

It's widely believed that Martin won't pose a challenge to Marquez this season. Aprilia's performance significantly declined in the latter part of the year, and the team is looking towards 2025 with nearly an entirely new set of riders and a fresh technical leader.

If Aprilia manages a strong start in 2025 and Martin swiftly adjusts, the pressure will intensify on Marquez to justify Ducati's choice.

In 2024, Martin and Bagnaia stood out from their competitors while riding the factory Ducati, particularly during the final part of the season. Should Martin find himself in a competitive spot, he's bound to become a formidable challenger, thereby increasing the stress on Marquez.

The revival of a classic rivalry

With Marquez joining the factory Ducati team, he once again crosses paths with his long-time rival Valentino Rossi. Following Ducati's move, the MotoGP icon has been anything but silent.

In an interview with L’Equipe in 2024, Rossi expressed confusion over Ducati's choice. Additionally, on Andrea Migno’s podcast, he revisited his conspiracy theories regarding his loss of the 2015 championship.

Marquez handled the situation with ease, whereas Bagnaia managed to remain uninvolved in the entire incident.

Rossi has announced his intention to reduce his participation in car racing by 2025. He will continue with BMW as an official driver, but his schedule remains undecided. He mentioned wanting to allocate more time to attend MotoGP events as a key factor for cutting back on his racing activities.

He expresses a desire to spend more time coaching his Academy riders, yet it's quite ironic that this inclination emerges just as his main rival essentially sets foot in his territory.

In 2025, Marquez might face mental games from Rossi's team, especially if tensions arise on the track with Bagnaia.

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Honda MotoGP leader unveils the sole aspect HRC "always maintained"

"The determination that propels you forward, despite our obvious setbacks…"

In the 2024 MotoGP championship, Honda didn't secure any wins or podium finishes in either the Sprint races or the Grand Prix events. However, as the year progressed, there were indications of performance enhancements.

Johann Zarco, riding for the satellite LCR team, notably showcased his skill by successfully advancing the RC213V into Q2 several times and securing top 10 finishes in two Grand Prix events, notably achieving this first in Indonesia and later in Thailand.

In 2024, Zarco finished the season with a total of 55 points, placing him 17th overall. Despite this modest ranking, he still managed to outscore the entire factory Honda team by 20 points. Honda's racers, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, ended the year in 21st and 22nd place, respectively, among the 22 regular MotoGP competitors.

"Clearly, it hasn't been a simple journey," acknowledged HRC team manager Alberto Puig during an interview with MotoGP.com.

"The outcomes did not meet our expectations."

Over the course of the past year, we spent the initial months experimenting with various strategies, and by the latter half, we had begun to form a clearer understanding of the approaches that might be effective and those that might not.

"We've achieved certain advancements, though not to the extent we desired. Nonetheless, we've progressed and are continuously exploring ways to enhance next year's device."

"Although we haven't achieved the outcomes we're aiming for yet, from a technical perspective, there's increasing clarity on the methods, directions, and necessary actions, which is crucial."

"However, it might take a while before it's evident in writing, yet the one aspect we consistently maintained was our determination to make a comeback. It's this motivation that propels us forward, despite being noticeably at a disadvantage, and that's the reality."

After three decades of partnership, the HRC factory team will no longer be sponsored by Repsol in 2025, yet its roster of riders remains unchanged, with Mir and Marini continuing as team members for the upcoming season.

"Mir has already secured a World Champion title in MotoGP," Puig commented, "thus, his present circumstances are somewhat uneasy, given that the motorcycle isn't performing at a competitive standard."

"He's making an effort, but inevitably, he fails. This is because, as a champion, he's pushing his limits, striving for success. However, things haven't been aligning, and we remain hopeful that his drive will persist even through challenging periods."

"Marini has a highly analytical approach," Puig noted. "He's capable of tirelessly working around the clock due to his passion for this. He's truly dedicated to sharing all the knowledge he has, looking at it from a professional standpoint."

"On a personal level, he's genuinely a good person, […] he's incredibly courteous and shows a lot of respect."

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MotoGP newcomer Ai Ogura confesses to not being the quickest or most gifted

“That’s why aiming to become a ‘five-times MotoGP World Champion’ isn’t on my mind…”

In 2025, Ai Ogura advances to the MotoGP division bearing the title of Moto2 World Champion and having claimed victory in six Grand Prix races. Despite these accomplishments, he remains humble about his innate skill.

Beyond securing victories in six races, all within the Moto2 category, Ogura has achieved a total of 27 Grand Prix podium finishes, with 19 in Moto2 and eight in Moto3, along with claiming six pole positions, five of which are in Moto2 and one in Moto3. Despite his ongoing agreement with Aprilia's affiliate team, Trackhouse Racing, the Japanese racer's development has been significantly supported by Honda through their Road to MotoGP program.

Thus, it might appear simple for Ogura to develop an excessively high self-esteem, especially after his victory in the 2024 Moto2 championship marked him as the first Japanese rider to clinch a Grand Prix title since Hiroshi Aoyama, his former team leader at Honda Team Asia, secured the 250cc World Championship back in 2009.

Nonetheless, "I'm aware of who I am," Ogura remarked during his press conference as World Champion after the Thai Grand Prix in October.

"I don't consider myself among the quickest, and I don't think I possess extraordinary talent. However, I am a firm believer in the power of hard work to achieve goals, whatever they may be. I am aware that the likelihood of success is slim, but achieving it would be rewarding."

"I've always aspired to be the world's number one. Perhaps just for that year, but achieving this title has been my career-long ambition."

Ogura confessed that his drive to claim victory in the 2024 championship was heightened due to his narrow miss for the 2020 Moto3 title in the concluding race, along with his defeat to Augusto Fernandez during the 2022 Moto2 season.

"My primary goal throughout my racing journey was to secure a World Championship title, irrespective of the category – be it Moto3, Moto2, or MotoGP," he stated.

"Thus, following my defeats in two championship races — the Moto3 in 2020 and the Moto2 in 2022 — my sole focus had become winning this championship."

Ogura mentioned, "My season didn't kick off as strongly, with [Sergio] Garcia ahead by a significant margin in points. However, the championship standings didn't concern me much. Whether ending up in sixth or seventh place, we were confident in our capability to secure race victories and consistently land on the podium, as long as we approached our work correctly.

"Things began to look promising when I clinched a victory in Catalunya, and it seemed like everything was on track. However, a fracture in Austria threw a wrench in the works. After that incident, for me, the second race in Misano, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, became a significant turning point."

"Despite experiencing discomfort, I managed to cross the finish line first, boosting the team's morale significantly. Toward the season's end, we consistently achieved podium finishes and maintained a strong grip on the championship lead."

"While it wasn't an ideal year, it was still a wonderful season."

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Exploring the 2025 aspirations for every MotoGP team

We delve into the ambitions and goals of each MotoGP team for the year 2025

In less than four weeks, MotoGP motorcycles will return to the circuit to kick off their 2025 season preparations at the Sepang shakedown.

The 2025 season heralds a period of considerable transition, highlighted by major shifts among riders, especially with Marc Marquez joining the Ducati factory team and the reigning world champion, Jorge Martin, switching to Aprilia.

As a new season unfolds, it presents an opportunity for the previous year's top performers to consolidate their success, while others see it as a moment to start afresh.

As the new year begins, Crash explores the resolutions each team ought to set for the 2025 season.

Ducati Corse – Global Supremacy

Currently, Ducati stands at the peak of its performance, a position that may not be assured as the impending 2027 regulatory overhaul approaches.

By 2025, Ducati boasts what many consider its most impressive factory team to date, featuring two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia alongside Marc Marquez, who has clinched the grand prix title eight times, both competing in Ducati's iconic red.

Despite losing the 2024 world championship and their top satellite team, the sentiment in Borgo Panigale remains positive that Ducati made the correct choice. Marquez clinched three grand prix wins in 2024 aboard a GP23 that soon showed its age, whereas Bagnaia secured 11 wins. However, he fell short of the championship title by 10 points because of eight instances where he did not score.

The GP24 is often regarded as Ducati's finest motorcycle to date and ranks among the top in MotoGP history. Therefore, it's improbable that the GP25 has made any major regressions.

Facing potential internal conflicts between Bagnaia and Marquez, Ducati's sole focus for 2025 should be to dominate its rivals completely, boasting what is arguably the strongest roster on the grid.

KTM/Tech3 – Staying Afloat Amidst Challenges

Lumping together KTM with Tech3 may seem somewhat unfair, yet their destinies are closely linked at this moment, given the financial turmoil that has swept over the Austrian bike maker.

The reorganization efforts appear to be proceeding as KTM anticipated for its continued existence. However, one action being advocated by its creditors is the termination of the MotoGP initiative. The project is set to continue until 2025, but 2026 might mark the conclusion of this endeavor for the company.

As KTM searches for funding and ways to sustain its grand prix initiative, its racing teams in 2025 must strive to stay afloat and produce outcomes that will attract investors to contribute financially.

The brand's 2025 motorcycle appears to be a significant advancement according to existing tests, yet it's uncertain if the speculation about a halt in development due to financial issues will hold true.

Pedro Acosta amazed everyone by pushing the RC16 beyond its limits during his first season, and it's anticipated he will deliver even more impressive performances now with added experience. Brad Binder, his team-mate, is known for his reliability, and in 2024, KTM counts on his steady performances. However, with a more competitive team environment, he is expected to step up his game further.

At Tech3, the duo of Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales carries a proven track record of victories, bolstering the team's lineup. KTM is counting on them to maintain a consistent presence of four RC16s among the top 10 contenders throughout the season.

Aprilia Factory Racing – Stepped up its game financially

The Italian brand invested heavily to bring Jorge Martin on board for the 2025 season, following his decision to leave Ducati upon not receiving the premier seat he believed he merited.

Aprilia's decision not to outmaneuver Yamaha in the race to secure 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo turned out to be a blessing in disguise. By acquiring Martin, the team now proudly boasts the number one plate.

However, it fell in the rankings during the latter part of 2024 and is now undergoing a major overhaul, featuring a completely revamped roster for both of its teams and introducing Fabiano Sterlacchini as the new technical director.

Anticipating a championship run from Aprilia by 2025 might be slightly unreasonable, but it's crucial for the team to demonstrate that it truly offers a competitive and attractive environment for elite riders, rather than just being a fallback option for those feeling disheartened.

Honda Factory/LCR – Maintaining Consistent Development

It appears unlikely that Honda's RC213V will experience a significant breakthrough in 2025. Following its third season without a victory in five years, and its first devoid of a podium finish in recent history, Honda is currently at its lowest point.

The positive aspect is that the situation is unlikely to deteriorate further. As 2024 was drawing to a close, there were indicators of progress. An updated aerodynamics package led to better control, with Johann Zarco of LCR achieving the brand’s highest finish in Thailand.

Surpassing the one hundred mark in the constructors' rankings is a realistic goal for Honda. With Joan Mir, Luca Marini, and Johann Zarco on its team, Honda has a deep reservoir of expertise to propel its motorcycle forward.

Romano Albesiano, the newly appointed technical director, arrives with innovative concepts that have previously enhanced Aprilia, a European manufacturing company. Meanwhile, Honda has secured an accomplished test rider in the form of Aleix Espargaro.

Sufficient concrete evidence suggests that Honda has reasons for optimism at the conclusion of 2025, provided it manages to secure a spot for at least one motorcycle in the top 10 regularly throughout the racing season.

Yamaha Factory/Pramac – Podium Comeback

Currently, Yamaha shares a comparable situation with Honda, yet the Iwata-based team displayed more encouraging signs of progress in 2024.

Securing a place among the top six at the Malaysian Grand Prix was a positive sign for Yamaha's trajectory, courtesy of Fabio Quartararo. Yamaha stands to gain significantly as it continues to enhance the performance of the M1, thanks to Quartararo's ability to fully exploit the potential of the bike.

Max Bartolini's expert guidance has notably uplifted spirits within Yamaha, and the anticipation of debuting a V4 engine in the upcoming year signals the significant efforts the brand is undertaking.

Securing a satellite setup within the grid's top autonomous squad, Pramac, featuring two seasoned competitors – Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller – leading the charge, is likely to provide Yamaha with the advantage it has been seeking.

Finishing the season among the top six should be an initial goal for 2025, yet given Yamaha's evident effort, aiming for a return to the podium would be a more appropriate ambition.

VR46 Racing – Disrupting Other Official Ducati Teams

The 2025 championship marks a significant milestone for Valentino Rossi’s team as it gains the status of Ducati’s officially supported satellite team, with Fabio Di Giannantonio being equipped with a GP25.

VR46 isn't new to having a factory Ducati, yet this occasion marks their initial chance to fully leverage its potential. In 2024, Di Giannantonio delivered an impressive season with the team, riding a GP23 and consistently outperforming other riders on the same bike, except for Marc Marquez.

Despite sitting out the last two races for a shoulder operation, Di Giannantonio managed to outperform his well-regarded teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the rankings. With his sights set on 2025, Di Giannantonio aims to challenge the official Ducati riders on the GP25.

This is precisely the position VR46 should aim for: filling the gap left by Pramac as it moves to Yamaha.

Reviving Franco Morbidelli's career is crucial, especially considering his second-place finish in the 2020 championship. His tenure at the factory Yamaha team proved unproductive, and his initial season with Ducati in 2024, though marred by a concussion before the season started, only yielded a single podium finish in a sprint race.

Continuing to ride the same motorcycle he used to close out 2024, now adorned in VR46 livery, the team's goal is to help Morbidelli return to a position where his regular presence on the podium is expected rather than astonishing.

Trackhouse Racing – Leave a Bigger Impression

The presence of an American-owned team in MotoGP, especially one dedicated to broadening the series' appeal across the US and worldwide, is truly remarkable.

This is evident in its roster for 2025, as Raul Fernandez remains on the team, and current Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura was chosen over American rider Joe Roberts.

In its debut season at the top level, Trackhouse Racing struggled to leave a significant mark. Though they managed a podium finish in a sprint race in Germany and secured two sixth-place finishes in Barcelona and Germany, Trackhouse consistently failed to break into the top five in Sunday races.

Switching motorcycles mid-season hindered Fernandez's advancement, and an injury towards the end of the season impeded Oliveira's momentum.

By 2025, it's crucial that Fernandez finds himself in a situation where he can prove the worth of his somewhat disappointing time in MotoGP thus far, while simultaneously, it's essential to provide a promising young star like Ogura with the environment he needs to succeed.

Gresini Racing – Moved Beyond Marc Marquez

In what turned into an exceptional 2024 season, the compact team of Gresini Racing saw its profile rise significantly. The inclusion of Marc Marquez in their team transformed them into a leading group renowned for their interaction and connection with fans.

Gresini's garage was always in celebration mode, thanks to three major grand prix wins and regular appearances on the podium, highlighted by a memorable moment in Germany when the Marquez brothers dominated.

However, the champion with eight world titles has left, and now it's time for Gresini to redirect its efforts. Achieving the success it did in 2024 might be challenging, but over the last two years, Alex Marquez has consistently demonstrated his skill in propelling his previous year's Ducati to competitive standings.

As a newcomer, Fermin Aldeguer faces immense expectations, with his Moto2 performance in 2024 possibly indicating that his advancement might have been premature. However, the decision to team him up with Frankie Carchedi is arguably the smartest move by the team.

Gresini faces a challenging path to emerge as the leading independent team this season. However, surpassing this hurdle is within reach if the team can swiftly put the Marc Marquez golden year behind and concentrate on securing consistent top six positions in 2025.

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Each MotoGP Team’s Goals for 2025

An overview of the aspirations and targets every MotoGP team is setting for the year 2025.

In less than a month, MotoGP bikes will return to the track to kick off their 2025 preparations with the Sepang shakedown.

The 2025 racing season is marked by considerable changes, including major shifts among riders. The most prominent is Marc Marquez joining the official Ducati team, while reigning world champion Jorge Martin makes a switch to Aprilia.

At the start of a new season, teams that performed well last year have the opportunity to evaluate and strengthen their standing, while other teams can view it as a fresh start to improve.

As the new year begins, Crash examines what each team's goal should be for the 2025 season.

Ducati Corse – Global Supremacy

Currently, Ducati is at the peak of its performance, though this commanding position may not last indefinitely with the upcoming regulation changes set for 2027.

In 2025, Ducati boasts what many consider its strongest factory team to date, featuring two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia and eight-time grand prix champion Marc Marquez, both donning the iconic red.

Although Ducati lost the 2024 world champion and its top satellite team, there is strong confidence in Borgo Panigale that the decision was correct. Marquez secured three grand prix wins in 2024 on the GP23, a bike that soon became outdated. On the other hand, Bagnaia achieved 11 wins but fell short of the championship by 10 points because of eight races where he failed to score.

Ducati's GP24 is arguably their most outstanding motorcycle to date and ranks among the top in MotoGP history. Therefore, it's improbable that the GP25 has regressed in any meaningful way.

Despite potential internal conflicts between Bagnaia and Marquez, Ducati's primary objective for 2025 should be to completely dominate its rivals, given its exceptionally strong team.

KTM and Tech3 – Staying Afloat

It might be a slight stretch to consider KTM and Tech3 together, but their futures are currently linked due to the financial turmoil affecting the Austrian company.

As KTM continues its restructuring efforts, which appear to be on track for the company's survival, creditors are advocating for the termination of the MotoGP initiative. Although plans are set to proceed in 2025, the future of the brand in 2026 seems uncertain and may mark its conclusion.

As KTM searches for financial backing to support its grand prix project, its racing teams in 2025 must maintain adequate performance and deliver compelling results to attract investors willing to contribute funds.

According to recent tests, the brand's 2025 motorcycle appears to represent a significant advancement. However, it is still uncertain whether the speculation about halting development due to financial difficulties is accurate.

Pedro Acosta amazed everyone during his first season by pushing the RC16 to unexpected limits, and as he gains more experience, people anticipate even greater performances. Meanwhile, his teammate Brad Binder will continue to be a dependable force for KTM in 2024, although he must elevate his performance this year, facing strong competition within the team.

At Tech3, Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales contribute their proven race-winning abilities to the squad. KTM relies on their performance to have all four RC16 motorcycles consistently finish within the top 10 positions in each race.

Aprilia Factory Racing – Backed up its intentions with substantial investment

The Italian brand made a significant financial move to secure Jorge Martin for the 2025 season. This came after Martin decided to leave the Ducati camp, having been denied the factory position he sought and arguably merited.

This came after it failed to outmaneuver Yamaha in securing a deal with the 2021 world champion, Fabio Quartararo. However, this situation has turned out quite favorably for Aprilia, as it has now acquired the top spot with Martin.

However, it dropped in rankings during the latter part of 2024 and is now undergoing a restructuring. This involves bringing in an almost completely fresh roster for its two teams and appointing Fabiano Sterlacchini as the new head of technical operations.

Anticipating a bid for the championship in 2025 might be somewhat unreasonable, but Aprilia must now demonstrate that it is truly an attractive option for leading talents to view as a serious career opportunity, rather than just a fallback for those who feel disillusioned.

Honda Factory/LCR – Maintain Consistent Development

Expectations are low for Honda to rapidly advance its RC213V model by 2025. After experiencing its third season without a victory in five years—and the first season in the modern era without even a podium finish—Honda has reached its lowest point.

The silver lining is that conditions are unlikely to deteriorate further. As 2024 drew to a close, there were indications of progress. The introduction of a new aerodynamics package enhanced maneuverability, leading Johann Zarco, representing LCR, to achieve the brand’s top performance in Thailand.

Reaching a total of 100 points in the constructors' standings is a realistic goal for Honda. With experienced riders like Joan Mir, Luca Marini, and Johann Zarco, the team is well-equipped to keep pushing the bike's performance forward.

Romano Albesiano, the newly appointed technical director, is introducing concepts that enhanced a European brand, Aprilia. Meanwhile, Honda has benefited by acquiring Aleix Espargaro, an outstanding test rider.

Based on the available evidence, it seems likely that Honda will conclude 2025 with plenty of reasons for optimism, provided the company can regularly secure a spot for at least one motorcycle in the top 10 each weekend throughout the season.

Yamaha Factory/Pramac – Back on the Podium

Currently, Yamaha finds itself in a situation much like Honda's. However, there are more encouraging indications of progress for the brand based in Iwata in 2024.

A strong finish in the top six at the Malaysian Grand Prix showcased Fabio Quartararo's performance and highlighted the promising progress Yamaha is making. By consistently making the most of his motorcycle, Quartararo demonstrates that every minor improvement to the M1 will bring significant benefits to Yamaha.

Max Bartolini's expertise in technology has already lifted the spirits at Yamaha. The anticipation of the brand competing with a V4 engine for the first time next year is a thrilling sign of its ambitious efforts.

Securing a partnership with Pramac, the top independent team in the grid, and having two seasoned riders, Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller, leading the charge, is likely the boost Yamaha has been seeking.

Concluding the season within the top six positions is a reasonable goal for Yamaha as it heads into the beginning of 2025. However, given the evident efforts being put forth, the team should aspire to make a comeback to the podium.

VR46 Racing to Challenge Other Factory Ducatis

The 2025 season marks a significant milestone for Valentino Rossi's team as it becomes the official factory-backed satellite team for Ducati. Fabio Di Giannantonio will be riding a GP25.

This isn't the first occasion where VR46 has had access to a factory Ducati, but it's the initial instance where they've been able to fully capitalize on the chance. In the 2024 season, Di Giannantonio delivered a strong performance with the team on a GP23, consistently ranking as the leading rider on that motorcycle after Marc Marquez.

Despite sitting out the last two rounds because of shoulder surgery, Di Giannantonio managed to outperform his well-regarded teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the rankings. As for his plans for 2025, Di Giannantonio expressed his desire to "challenge" the factory team Ducati riders on the GP25.

This is precisely the position VR46 should aim for: filling the gap left by Pramac as it transitions to Yamaha.

Franco Morbidelli must reignite the form that made him the 2020 title runner-up. His stint with the factory Yamaha team proved unproductive, and his debut year with Ducati in 2024 was marred by a concussion before the season began, resulting in only a single podium finish in a sprint race.

Staying on the same bike he ended the 2024 season with, but now featuring VR46 colors, the team aims to return Morbidelli to the position where regularly competing for podium finishes is expected, not unexpected.

Trackhouse Racing – Leave a Bigger Impression

It's great to see that MotoGP includes a team owned by Americans, especially one committed to broadening the series' reach within the United States and around the world.

This is evident in their 2025 roster, with Raul Fernandez remaining on the team, and Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura being chosen instead of the American rider Joe Roberts.

In its debut season in the top-tier competition, Trackhouse Racing didn't make a significant impact. Even though they secured a podium finish in a sprint race in Germany and finished sixth twice in Barcelona and Germany, Trackhouse was unable to challenge for top-five positions in the main Sunday races.

Fernandez's development was hindered by switching bikes midway through the season, and Oliveira's momentum was halted by an injury towards the end of the season.

By 2025, Fernandez needs to be placed in a role where he can start proving why he deserves his current position in what has been a lackluster MotoGP career. Meanwhile, it's crucial to provide Ogura, a promising young talent, with the environment he needs to thrive.

Gresini Racing has left a significant mark with Marc Marquez in its ranks. During the 2024 season, this relatively small team captured widespread attention and transformed into a top contender for fan interaction.

With three grand prix wins and regular appearances on the podium, including a remarkable all-Marquez event in Germany, the celebrations were ongoing in the Gresini team.

The departure of the eight-time world champion means that Gresini must now redirect its focus. Although replicating the results of 2024 may be challenging, Alex Marquez has demonstrated in the last two seasons that he can effectively position his year-old Ducati in competitive spots.

Fermin Aldeguer is feeling significant pressure as a newcomer, with his performance in Moto2 in 2024 suggesting that his advancement may have been premature. However, teaming up with Frankie Carchedi is the smartest move the team could make.

Gresini faces a difficult task in competing to be the leading independent team this season. However, this goal is within reach if they swiftly transition from the year dominated by Marc Marquez and concentrate on regularly securing top-six positions by 2025.

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Aston Martin issues a cautionary note to Adrian Newey: "Success isn't assured by just one person."

Can Adrian Newey achieve success with Aston Martin?

Ex-McLaren Formula 1 mechanic, Marc Priestley, has cautioned Aston Martin that bringing Adrian Newey on board might not automatically fix their present performance issues.

In September 2024, Aston Martin revealed that Newey would take on the role of Managing Technical Partner.

Newey is set to take charge of Aston Martin's design team and will formally step into the position later this year.

Nonetheless, Priestley has cautioned that Newey by himself will not ensure Aston Martin's future achievements.

In an interview with Casino Uden Rofus, Priestley remarked that while Adrian Newey is an exceptional engineer with an outstanding intellect, the success of designing a new F1 car is not ensured by one person alone.

"I'm not denying that Aston Martin has a talented team, but there are clear signs that they have struggled to create an effective car and improve it over the course of the season."

Newey is becoming part of a team that hasn't achieved much success, yet Aston Martin has recently acquired cutting-edge facilities, and the team is expanding quickly.

Mixed Outcomes for Aston Martin

Following Lawrence Stroll's purchase of the team headquartered in Silverstone, they have seen a range of successes.

Back in 2020, when they were known as Racing Point, the team achieved fourth place in the Formula 1 constructors' championship and celebrated a victory at the Sakhir Grand Prix.

In 2023, Fernando Alonso joined Aston Martin, marking their most successful season so far. The team began the year as the second quickest, trailing only Red Bull, and Alonso achieved six podium finishes in the first eight races.

Alonso came close to securing a victory in Monaco, but Aston Martin's strategic decisions in the shifting weather conditions cost them the win.

Over the past couple of years, Aston Martin has encountered a recurring challenge, as they have consistently faced difficulties in successfully advancing their car's development during the racing season.

Considering the struggles Aston Martin has faced in their development, Alonso attributed the issues to the Mercedes wind tunnel.

The Spaniard expressed to the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast that the situation is complex and lacks a straightforward answer; otherwise, they might have already opted for an easier path than the one they have encountered.

"There seems to be a challenge in grasping some of the internal mechanics of the car, which resembles the wind tunnel issues Mercedes encountered last year while working on their car development. Our ability to utilize the wind tunnel is somewhat restricted because we are using the Mercedes facility."

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MotoGP newcomer Ai Ogura acknowledges he isn't the quickest or exceptionally gifted. He explains that this is why he isn't aiming to become a "five-time MotoGP World Champion," for instance.

In 2025, Ai Ogura will advance to the MotoGP category after winning the Moto2 World Championship and achieving six Grand Prix wins. Despite these accomplishments, he remains modest about his inherent abilities.

Alongside his six victories in the Moto2 category, Ogura has achieved 27 podium finishes in Grand Prix events, with 19 of those in Moto2 and eight in Moto3. He has also secured six pole positions, five in Moto2 and one in Moto3. Although Ogura is currently signed with Aprilia's satellite team, Trackhouse Racing, Honda has played a significant role in developing his career on the Road to MotoGP.

Considering Ogura's achievements, one might assume it would be simple for him to develop a heightened sense of self-importance. After all, by securing the 2024 Moto2 championship, he became the first Japanese racer to claim a Grand Prix title since his former team leader at Honda Team Asia, Hiroshi Aoyama, triumphed in the 2009 250cc World Championship.

During the press conference for World Champions after the Thai Grand Prix last October, Ogura remarked, "I am aware of my own nature."

"I'm not among the quickest, and I don't think I possess exceptional talent. However, I believe that with hard work, I can achieve this goal or whatever it may be. I understand that if it happens, it would be great, but the chances are quite slim."

"I always dreamed of being 'number one in the world.' Even if it's just for a single year, achieving this title has been my goal throughout my entire career."

Ogura confessed that his drive to clinch the championship in 2024 grew stronger after narrowly missing the Moto3 title in the last race of 2020 and falling short in the 2022 Moto2 season to Augusto Fernandez.

He stated that his main goal in his racing career was to achieve a World Championship title, regardless of whether it was in Moto3, Moto2, or MotoGP.

"After losing two championships—one in the Moto3 category in 2020 and another in Moto2 in 2022—I was solely focused on winning this title."

Ogura commented that his performance at the beginning of the season wasn't strong, noting that [Sergio] Garcia had accumulated significantly more points. Despite this, he wasn't overly concerned about the championship standings. He believed that even if he finished in sixth or seventh place, he and his team were aware of their ability to win races and consistently secure podium finishes, provided they approached their work correctly.

"This began to happen when I clinched a victory in Catalunya, and things were progressing smoothly. However, I suffered a fracture in Austria, and afterward, I believe the second race in Misano, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, was very significant for me."

"Despite experiencing pain, I managed to win the race and further inspire the team. Towards the end of the season, we frequently finished on the podium, effectively managing the championship."

"Although the year wasn't flawless, it was a really great season."

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Flavio Briatore sparks rumors about Jack Doohan: "We'll find out as the season progresses"

Speculation about Jack Doohan's prospects in Formula 1 remains widespread.

Flavio Briatore, who serves as an executive advisor for Alpine F1, has further stirred rumors concerning Jack Doohan's potential with the team.

Even though Doohan made his Formula 1 debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there has been a lot of speculation about what lies ahead for his career.

With Franco Colapinto's impressive performance catching attention, there were hints that Briatore and Alpine might be considering bringing the Argentine talent on board.

Nevertheless, the substantial financial requirements needed to release Colapinto from his contract with Williams, along with his disappointing performance towards the end of the season, made it unfeasible to pursue a move for him.

Doohan is scheduled to compete with Pierre Gasly for Alpine in the 2025 racing season.

Although Doohan is confirmed to begin the season, his prospects for the future remain uncertain.

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien, Briatore did not express a firm position.

Briatore stated, "Death is the only thing we can be sure of." He confirmed that the year would begin with Pierre and Jack, but mentioned that future decisions would depend on how the season progresses.

"I need to assist the team in getting to a point where it can be successful."

The driver is responsible for completing the tasks initiated by nearly a thousand individuals supporting him.

"All employees essentially answer to a couple of individuals. If a driver isn't performing well or showing improvement, they'll be replaced."

Alpine concluded the 2024 F1 season as the leading team among the midfield competitors.

The team achieved two podium finishes at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which boosted them to sixth place in the constructors' championship.

A major update introduced during the United States Grand Prix dramatically improved their performance, especially with Gasly driving.

Gasly earned points in four out of the last five races, but did not finish the race in Las Vegas.

Alpine has chosen to switch to using Mercedes engines in 2026, discontinuing their own engine development project.

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