Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez share the story behind a notable photograph. They first encountered each other in 2010.

Francesco Bagnaia has shared the backstory of a popular photo from 2010, capturing his first meeting with Ducati MotoGP teammate Marc Marquez.

Two-time MotoGP champion Bagnaia will team up with Marquez at the Ducati factory team in 2025. This week in Italy, they revealed the brand's colors for the upcoming season.

Find out why tensions are bound to arise within Ducati's MotoGP powerhouse team in 2025.

Check out this Instagram post from Crash MotoGP (@crashmotogp_).

The duo had previously faced off in 2024 during a contentious incident at the Portuguese Grand Prix and once more at the Spanish GP in a direct competition for the win. However, during their inaugural joint interview, they maintained a friendly demeanor.

At the event held at Madonna di Campiglio and moderated by TNT Sport commentator Gavin Emmett, Marquez and Bagnaia were questioned on various subjects.

A notable instance involved a popular photo of the duo captured in 2010. At that time, Marquez was competing in the 125cc category, while Bagnaia had not yet entered the grand prix racing scene.

Bagnaia recalled that particular day.

During the time he clinched his initial championship, I vividly recall that particular day. We were present for what was likely the second or third test of the season with the Monlau Competicion team in Barcelona. Marc was also there as he was practicing with the supermoto.

"He simply dropped by to greet us. That season, I was sharing the garage space with Lorenzo Baldassarri."

"I requested a photo since he was a young Spanish racer who had performed exceptionally well with KTM the previous year. My crew chief mentioned that we should keep a close eye on him this season because he believed we would achieve success. And indeed, he succeeded."

Explore further: The impact of Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez's popularity on motorsport in 2025.

In his third year in the 125cc category, Marquez clinched the championship title on a Derbi by securing 10 race wins. He then advanced to the Moto2 class in 2011.

When questioned regarding the identical photograph, Marquez stated: “I don’t recall the specifics of that day, but I do remember that he was racing for Monlau, and I had a close connection with Monlau Competicion.

"However, I couldn't recall the specific day."

Marquez attended the event to back his younger sibling, Alex Marquez, who was likewise participating in tests with the Monlau Competicion crew.

In 2013, Bagnaia entered grand prix racing at the same time Marquez made his first appearance in the MotoGP category, where he ultimately claimed his inaugural premier class championship.

Bagnaia did not achieve his first grand prix victory until 2016, when he won twice riding a Mahindra. He then advanced to Moto2, where he claimed the championship title in 2018.

He first appeared in MotoGP in 2019 with Pramac Ducati, then joined the main Ducati team in 2021, ultimately securing the championship titles in both 2022 and 2023.

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F1 Subreddit with 4.8 Million Members Prohibits Content from Twitter/X

Details of the Ambitious New Strategy

A self-governing subreddit dedicated to Formula 1 has generated excitement with its audacious new proposal.

The r/formula1 subreddit has successfully created a vibrant community consisting of 4.8 million members, humorously referred to as "drivers."

It is now among the top 1% of all subreddits.

On Wednesday, they announced that content from Twitter/X will no longer be allowed on the r/formula1 platform starting today.

"We encourage journalists, content creators, photographers, and other individuals involved in Formula 1 to share their work on different platforms as well."

They elaborated by saying, "For quite some time, this subreddit has imposed limitations on the type of content that can be shared."

"We implemented a system to rate sources, which assesses the quality of news websites. This system continues to be used to eliminate articles that are sensationalist or lack originality."

"Instagram has posed challenges as it requires users to have an account to see posts. Meanwhile, Twitter's quality has declined over recent years. Issues include mandatory logins, a surge of automated accounts, a focus on content from paying users, and the encouragement of sensational content."

Unlike news websites within our source-rating framework, there wasn't a substitute for Twitter. However, with new options now appearing and yesterday's discussion indicating that the community favors these alternatives, we believe it's time to experiment with running the subreddit without Twitter content.

This marks a daring new approach to distributing Formula 1 content that excludes Elon Musk's X, previously referred to as Twitter.

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Ducati hints at "risk" involved in GP25 development during Sepang test

Gigi Dall'Igna talks about the latest Desmosedici

Gigi Dall’Igna chose not to disclose any details regarding the technical modifications for the Ducati GP25.

He did, nonetheless, disclose several new components that are set to be introduced in the forthcoming pre-season testing sessions in Malaysia and Thailand.

This year, MotoGP will feature three factory-spec Desmosedici bikes, which is one less than before.

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, who both ride for the Ducati Lenovo team, along with VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio, are set to gain an advantage by competing on the top-performing bikes in MotoGP.

Dall’Igna stated that the goal for this year is to improve the existing bike rather than creating an entirely new model.

"The bike from last year brought us much satisfaction and excellent outcomes. Therefore, we have focused on implementing new solutions and making further advancements on that model."

"Discussing the upcoming tests set to begin in two weeks, there's a lot of fresh material for us to experiment with. We are introducing a new swingarm and chassis. Additionally, we have a brand-new fairing and several other components that have been modified and refined."

"We need to experiment with each of these components. However, we'll be very rigorous in choosing only those that truly prove effective and show a significant impact."

"We might set aside the parts we're uncertain about for now, and consider revisiting them later in the season."

"There is a lot to consider and analyze, especially in light of our rivals' actions."

"I enjoy embracing technical challenges. Throughout my life, I've consistently taken risks, but it's important to approach them wisely. You should seize opportunities to take risks when the timing is right…"

The Sepang testing sessions will kick off with the Shakedown running from January 31 to February 2. During this period, Ducati will be represented on the track solely by test rider Michele Pirro and newcomer Fermin Aldeguer.

The remaining Ducati MotoGP team, which features Fabio di Giannantonio as a third rider with factory specifications from VR46, will participate in the Official test scheduled from February 5th to 7th.

As MotoGP manufacturers prepare for the challenge of creating new 850cc bikes for the year 2027, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will have their engine designs locked in place from the start of the season in Thailand through to the conclusion of 2026.

A single aerodynamic body modification during the season will still be permitted, and there will be no limitations on the development of the chassis.

Yamaha and Honda are not subject to the engine design freeze at the moment because they rank at the bottom of the table in the D concessions category.

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VIDEO: Christian Horner takes the wheel of a Red Bull F1 car for his debut drive

Catch a glimpse of Christian Horner in action as he pilots a Red Bull Formula 1 car for the very first time.

Red Bull has shared video footage capturing the moment when team principal Christian Horner took an F1 car for a spin for the very first time.

In July, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Horner had the opportunity to drive the RB8, the vehicle that helped Sebastian Vettel secure the drivers’ world championship in 2012. During the same weekend, he also took the helm of the team’s 2011 car, the RB7.

Although Horner has been the constant team principal for Red Bull since 2005, he had never personally taken one of the team's cars for a spin. The last time he drove a Formula 1 car was in 1993 when he tested a Lotus at Hethel.

On Wednesday, Red Bull unveiled fresh behind-the-scenes video clips featuring Horner as he took part in a preliminary shakedown at Silverstone before the Goodwood event, and during the Festival of Speed as well.

VIEW THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW

The event, celebrating Red Bull's 20th anniversary, saw Horner take the wheel in place of Vettel, who was initially expected to be the driver.

He expressed his enjoyment, mentioning that it was his inaugural experience driving a Red Bull vehicle, as well as his first encounter with a hand clutch and a two-pedal setup, while speaking to journalists at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Christian Horner mentioned that Sebastian Vettel was supposed to take the wheel of one of the vehicles at this event. However, since Vettel is currently on vacation with his family and couldn't attend Goodwood, the team proposed that Horner should take on the driving duties instead.

"I last drove a single-seater back in 1998, and the last time I was behind the wheel of a Formula One car was in

"Yesterday, I had the chance to drive a car equipped with a hand clutch and a brake that operates with the left foot. It was an incredible honor and privilege to get behind the wheel of one of these remarkable vehicles, which has won a championship."

It's astonishing how fast these cars can go and the significant impact that aerodynamics have on their performance.

"The most surprising sensation I felt during takeoff was as if an anchor had been dropped."

"It's similar to slamming the brakes in a regular car. When you press the brakes, you find yourself trying hard to stop your chin from dropping to your chest. I had such a great time that I accidentally bypassed the pit lane and ended up doing one more lap."

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Exclusive: Lewis Hamilton’s Timing Details from Ferrari F1 Test Debut

Information regarding Lewis Hamilton’s first-ever Formula 1 testing session with Ferrari conducted on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Lewis Hamilton made his much-anticipated first appearance on the track as a Ferrari F1 driver.

The driver, who has won the world championship seven times, took Ferrari’s 2023 Formula 1 car for a test run at the Fiorano track as part of his efforts to get used to his new team.

According to AutoRacer, he completed each lap in precisely one minute. The report suggests that minor errors and chilly weather conditions affected his lap times.

At 9:16am local time (8:16 GMT), Hamilton appeared on the track for the first time, navigating a wet surface amid foggy weather to complete an installation lap.

A 40-year-old British driver completed approximately 30 laps over four sessions during the morning. This added up to about 100 kilometers, which is part of the 1000-kilometer limit that current drivers are permitted to run for their teams under Formula 1's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) rules.

Lewis Hamilton experienced driving a Ferrari for the first time. Initially, he tested Pirelli's 'Academy' tires designed for wet conditions and not used in races. Later, he switched to slick tires for his concluding session, completing approximately five laps.

Hamilton experienced a noticeable loss of traction, resulting in minor wheel lock-ups and a wide turn during one of his laps in the opening 10-lap stint.

Hamilton finished his run shortly after 11:00 a.m. local time (10:00 a.m. GMT) as the weather began to deteriorate.

In the afternoon, Charles Leclerc, the new addition to the team, stepped into the SF-23 for a session in the rain and then delighted the passionate tifosi by performing some donuts.

At lunchtime, Hamilton approached the fans who had endured the chilly and gloomy weather to gather along the track's outer fence, eager to see their new idol and Ferrari's prominent recruit for the first time.

Craig Slater, a journalist for Sky Sports News, was present at the scene and reported that "thousands" of fans were present for the test event, which was officially not open to the public.

The excitement over Hamilton's initial week with Ferrari began with a trip to the renowned Maranello headquarters on Monday, and it was said to have caused a 'state of emergency' in the area.

During the initial test on Wednesday, Hamilton gained early insights into Ferrari's Formula 1 vehicles and had the opportunity to understand how the Ferrari engine functions.

Up until now, Hamilton's entire 18-year career in Formula 1 had been exclusively with Mercedes engines.

The day will have provided Hamilton with the opportunity to become familiar with the team's operational methods and establish a connection with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.

Hamilton is set to be allowed to drive approximately 900 more kilometers in previous models of Ferrari's Formula 1 cars. Sources indicate that Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for another Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session for Hamilton, scheduled for the end of this month.

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Unveiled: Lewis Hamilton's Lap Time During First Ferrari F1 Test

Details on Lewis Hamilton's initial Formula 1 test session with Ferrari, which took place on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Lewis Hamilton made his much-anticipated debut on the track as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver.

The seven-time world champion took Ferrari's 2023 Formula 1 car for a spin at the Fiorano test track, aiding in his adjustment to the new team.

According to AutoRacer, he completed each lap in precisely one minute. The report suggests that minor errors and chilly weather conditions affected his lap time.

At 9:16 am local time (8:16 GMT), Hamilton appeared for the first time, venturing onto the wet track shrouded in fog for a preliminary lap.

A 40-year-old British driver completed approximately 30 laps across four sessions during the morning. This amounted to roughly 100 kilometers, which is a portion of the 1000-kilometer limit that current drivers are permitted to run for their teams under Formula 1's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations.

Lewis Hamilton initially tried out Pirelli's 'Academy' tyres designed for wet conditions during non-race weekends. Later, he changed to slick tyres for his last stint, completing approximately five laps.

Hamilton experienced some grip issues, which became apparent when he had a few minor lock-ups and went off track on one of his laps during his first 10-lap stint.

Hamilton finished his run just after 11:00 local time (10:00 GMT) as the weather started to deteriorate.

In the afternoon, new team member Charles Leclerc got into the SF-23 for some driving on the wet track, later delighting the devoted fans with some impressive donuts.

At lunchtime, Hamilton approached the supporters who had endured the chilly and dreary weather, gathering along the edge of the track to get their first look at their new hero and Ferrari's latest standout recruit.

Craig Slater, a journalist for Sky Sports News, was present at the event and reported that "thousands" of Ferrari fans, known as tifosi, were attending the test session, which was supposed to be held privately.

The excitement over Hamilton's initial week with Ferrari was so intense that it reportedly caused a 'state of emergency' in the area. His week began on Monday with a trip to the renowned Maranello headquarters of the team.

During the initial test on Wednesday, Hamilton likely gained some preliminary insights into Ferrari's Formula 1 vehicles, while also having the opportunity to understand the functioning of the Ferrari engine.

Up until now, Hamilton has spent his entire 18-year Formula 1 career driving cars powered by Mercedes engines.

The day will have given Hamilton the opportunity to familiarize himself with the team's methods and establish a good relationship with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.

Hamilton is set to be allowed to drive approximately 900 more kilometers in older model Ferrari Formula 1 cars. Reports indicate that Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for another testing session with Hamilton, scheduled for the end of this month.

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Lewis Hamilton speaks out for the first time after his experience driving a Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton shares his thoughts following his initial test drive of a Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton has shared his initial impressions after driving a Ferrari for the first time.

On Wednesday in Italy, Hamilton took the driver's seat of his new Formula 1 team's vehicle.

Following the completion of 30 memorable laps in his inaugural stint with Ferrari, he shared his thoughts on the experience.

"I've had the fortune of experiencing numerous milestones in my career, ranging from my initial test and race to achieving my first podium finish, victory, and championship," stated Hamilton.

"I wasn't certain how many more experiences I would have, but driving a Scuderia Ferrari high-performance car for the first time this morning was an incredible feeling."

As soon as I turned on the engine and maneuvered the vehicle out of the garage, a huge grin spread across my face.

"It took me back to when I first drove a Formula 1 car; it was an exhilarating and unique experience, and now, nearly two decades later, I'm reliving those feelings once more."

From the beginning, I was aware of the intense passion shared by the Ferrari family, which includes everyone on the team and the dedicated Tifosi fans.

"Experiencing this directly as a Ferrari driver has been truly breathtaking. Their enthusiasm is deeply ingrained, and it's impossible not to feel invigorated by it."

"I deeply appreciate the warmth and support I've received from everyone in Maranello this week. We have plenty of tasks ahead, but I'm eager to begin."

A mother's affection is everlasting! ❤️ Lewis Hamilton had his mother, Carmen, accompanying him during his inaugural Ferrari F1 test. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/OapqgNNU0r— Crash.net – Formula 1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) January 22, 2025

A mother's affection is everlasting! ❤️ Lewis Hamilton had his mother, Carmen, accompanying him during his inaugural Ferrari F1 test. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/OapqgNNU0r

Charles Leclerc, the new member of the team, expressed his excitement, saying, "Returning to the car after the break is always a fantastic experience. It's wonderful to be racing again and to see such a large crowd of fans who have come to watch us."

Experiencing the buzz around the team is incredibly inspiring. Despite some rain during my drive, it turned out to be a pleasant day.

Certainly, witnessing Lewis take his initial laps in a Ferrari was a memorable experience for both the team and him. I'm eager to return to the car next week and begin putting in significant effort for the upcoming season.

Ferrari's team leader, Fred Vasseur, expressed that the initial experience on the track each year feels similar to returning to school after a break, evoking a lot of emotions. This was particularly true today, as it marked Lewis's debut with the team.

Introducing a fresh driver is always a significant occasion. While today might not have been particularly extraordinary for Charles, it was reassuring to see him in good shape, at ease, and eager to return to racing.

On the technical front, Charles and Lewis completed their laps despite less-than-ideal weather conditions. They managed to reacquaint themselves with the track atmosphere ahead of the official testing session scheduled for next month in Bahrain.

"The day served as a practice session for the crew in the garage, which was its only objective."

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EXCLUSIVE – Joan Mir Reflects: "My 2019 ICU Stay Deserved a Documentary!"

"Toprak's Achievement Was Undoubtedly Spectacular"

A competitor who deeply admires Toprak Razgatlioglu's remarkable success in defeating a severe lung injury to clinch the previous year's WorldSBK championship is Joan Mir, a one-time adversary in the Red Bull Rookies competition.

An often overlooked incident in Mir's professional journey occurred when the would-be MotoGP titleholder was admitted to the hospital following a severe testing crash at Brno in August 2019, during his first season at the top level.

A malfunction led to Mir's Suzuki going out of control at a speed of 300km/h, heading into Turn 1. This incident resulted in his GSX-RR flying beyond the trackside barriers, prompting immediate response from ambulance crews to assist Mir.

Mir was flown to a nearby hospital where doctors identified a ‘lung bruise’ as the cause of his condition. After he went back to Spain, he was immediately moved to a different medical facility in Barcelona to receive additional care.

"In the ICU, I recall it took me a whole week before I could stand up again," Mir, who currently rides for factory Honda, shared with Crash.net.

"The issue is that our production was quite limited, and the cameras didn't capture the actual events as they unfolded."

"We didn't produce a documentary! However, that doesn't imply it was easy," he said with a smile.

Following an absence from two races, Mir made a comeback to MotoGP competition and subsequently achieved his highest finish of his debut season, securing fifth position at Phillip Island.

However, the recovery process, both physical and mental, was prolonged.

He went on to say, "The difficulty was immense. My energy was completely drained since staying in the hospital for a week or two means you cease all activities and end up losing weight."

"Additionally, returning to cycling proved difficult due to my mishap being caused by a technical issue."

"Thus, you must regain confidence in the motorcycle. It posed a significantly tough obstacle."

"Even after two months, traces of blood remained"

"Even after two months, there were still traces of blood and air bubbles present in the lungs.

"It was challenging. An extremely brutal accident. Likely one of the most severe I've witnessed."

"It would have been wise to create a documentary [to capture everything]! However, when you're in the midst of it, events unfold rapidly."

"Reflecting on the past often reveals the challenges you faced."

Merely a season after, Mir clinched the title of MotoGP champion in 2020.

"A year on, that's incredible," he said with a smile.

Razgatlioglu's accomplishment last year was also described as 'fantastic'.

The Turkish racer was on his way to securing BMW’s inaugural WorldSBK championship title when he encountered a severe crash against a barrier at Magny-Cours, which resulted in a punctured lung. This incident broke his impressive 13-race winning streak and sidelined him for two events.

Nonetheless, Razgatlioglu made a comeback to seize the championship.

"Mir expressed admiration for Toprak's incredible achievement in securing the championship despite the heightened challenges."

"I sincerely extend my congratulations to him. He emerged as the most formidable competitor in the previous season."

"I'm truly delighted on his behalf. We've been acquainted since our days at the Rookies Cup back in 2014, and he's genuinely a good person."

Defending MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin clinched the 2014 Rookies Cup, edging out Mir, while Razgatlioglu secured a victory in one of the races, finishing sixth overall.

In 2015, Martin entered the Moto3 global championship during the same period Mir was securing victories in the CEV Junior series and marked his Grand Prix debut through a wild-card entry.

In the meantime, Razgatlioglu embarked on a unique journey that culminated in securing two World Superbike championships, starting with a victory in the European Superstock 600 Championship.

Razgatlioglu's name keeps popping up in connection with MotoGP, and should BMW decide to enter the top tier, he may rejoin the lineup with Martin and Mir.

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Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez's perspective on competing for the championship emphasizes the urgency of contention. "If you're not battling for the title, someone else will claim your spot!"

Historically, Marc Marquez greeted newcomers to the Repsol Honda MotoGP team with a clear message that success was anticipated.

Upon Jorge Lorenzo joining to create a highly anticipated 'dream team' in 2019, Marquez clarified, "A dream team is defined by winning the triple crown."

At Marquez's last Honda unveiling, where he appeared with a new teammate and past champion, Joan Mir, Marquez made a statement:

"Each of us must succeed in races – it's obligatory when you don these hues."

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The dynamics have shifted, as Marquez joins the Ducati Lenovo squad as the fresh face, teaming up with the equally accomplished Francesco Bagnaia in what's being called a 'dream team' for the 2025 season.

When questioned about the potential of competing against Marquez for the championship at Monday's team introduction, Bagnaia found that the Spaniard was able to complete his thought before he could.

Bagnaia started by saying, "Donning the red suit means you must – he [Marquez] is aware that this year…"

Marquez, sporting a playful grin, interjected, "You have to battle for the title! Otherwise, someone else will snatch your ride!"

Elaborating further, two-time champion Bagnaia, who came close to securing a third title but was edged out by Jorge Martin in the previous season, concurred that Marquez is likely to be his primary rival, yet he remained open to the possibility of an unexpected challenger.

"Identifying the competitor each season can be challenging."

"However, considering the bike's capabilities and based on last year's performance, Marc is undoubtedly going to be a tough competitor, indeed the primary challenger."

"Since he has an additional year of familiarity with our bicycle, the latest model will definitely be a better fit for him as it marks an upgrade over last year's version."

"Last year, he was excelling, consistently securing spots on the podium and clinching victories in three races."

"I believe he's going to be the primary competitor, and as the season progresses, we'll identify who the other challengers are."

"It's possible there's another, yet I believe the primary contenders are ourselves."

Marquez: "Primary goal is to be among the top three for the championship"

Marquez, while recognizing the importance of competing for the championship under the factory banner, maintains that achieving a position within the top three of the world championship, similar to last year's accomplishment, would be fulfilling.

"Clearly, my colleague has consistently secured either the first or second spot over the past four years, indicating his exceptional strength. It's only natural to expect him to lead, particularly in the initial races," Marquez stated.

He emerged victorious in eleven competitions. True, he had his share of errors, but victory in eleven races doesn't come without taking risks. Ultimately, it boils down to finding a balance.

"However, as I've mentioned, my goal is to absorb knowledge from him, to grasp how I can elevate my performance to its peak within the Ducati Lenovo team using my unique riding approach. From there, we'll see what happens."

"Aiming for a spot among the top three by the championship's conclusion is our primary goal. Naturally, our sights are set on clinching the title, but securing a position in the top three remains our foremost objective."

Marquez, the victor of six top-tier championships between 2013 and 2019, also stated:

The goal of the team is to attempt victory. Should Pecco be unable to secure a win, I will make an effort to do so. Conversely, if I cannot clinch a victory, he will strive to achieve it.

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Marc Marquez Warns Against Underestimating Ducati's Competitors

He affirms, "We view the other competitors as equals."

Ducati Lenovo's leading riders, Francesco Bagnia and Marc Marquez, have cautioned not to overlook their competitors in 2025.

Bagnaia and his new teammate Marquez, who together hold eight top-tier MotoGP championships, are now the main point of attention for a manufacturer that experienced just a single race loss last season.

Thus, the spotlight is on a showdown between Bagnaia and Marquez for championship dominance, a situation both competitors recognize as anticipated.

VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio will stand as the sole competitor piloting a factory-spec Desmosedici.

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Nonetheless, three ex-Ducati competitors, with the current titleholder Jorge Martin among them, have departed to bolster the rosters of European contenders Aprilia and KTM.

Up-and-coming talent Pedro Acosta brings a year of experience to the table, and Pramac's move to Yamaha has decreased the Ducati lineup from eight to six.

Bagnaia expressed that having fewer Ducati teams might make it challenging to dominate the podiums as they did previously. He mentioned that the KTM competitors, particularly Acosta, are extremely strong. However, he noted that the actual scenario still needs to be observed.

Currently, it's challenging to predict. Aprilia has secured a world champion and brought in Bezzecchi, adding two fresh faces to their lineup. Bezzecchi is aiming to surpass his previous performances, while Jorge is determined to keep his number 1 status. Therefore, it seems Aprilia could be a strong contender.

"Honda and Yamaha are challenging to assess. However, I believe Yamaha made significant progress last year, especially in the final races where they showed improvement, so I anticipate they will continue to advance."

"Honda, I believe, will find it challenging to maintain their current stance, so I anticipate they will make a significant advancement."

"Currently, the primary ones are Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM. Let's find out."

Marquez cautioned that it would be risky to predict Ducati's victory in the championship, pointing out that Andrea Dovizioso, who was fifth in 2016, fiercely contested the championship with the Repsol Honda rider the next year.

"The eight-time world champion expressed that believing Ducati is guaranteed to win the championship could create a risky environment."

"However, within our group, we view other producers as being on an equal footing."

"In MotoGP, it's understood, for example, that Yamaha made progress last year. However, they could show up in Malaysia with an updated motorcycle, and they've got Quartararo, who is an exceptionally talented rider."

"KTM remains consistent. Aprilia, Honda… Our arena is MotoGP.

"In my experience battling Dovizioso back in 2017, the key takeaway was the importance of being mindful of all competitors, as circumstances can shift drastically from one season to the next."

Last year, Ducati dominated by securing the first four positions in the rankings, with Martin, Bagnaia, Marquez, and Enea Bastianini leading the pack. The closest competitors were Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta, both riding for KTM, followed by Maverick Vinales from Aprilia.

Among the leading seven, only Bagnaia and Marquez are set to compete under the Ducati banner in 2025.

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Peter has spent two decades in the racing field, witnessing Valentino Rossi's rise and departure. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal from racing and Marc Marquez's battles with injuries.

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Honda is eager to make a move in MotoGP before 2027

Honda's team leader, Alberto Puig, implies the company is not solely relying on the rule changes anticipated in 2027

Honda MotoGP team leader Alberto Puig has expressed urgency in enhancing the team's performance, emphasizing that they cannot afford to delay until 2027 to address the struggles they've faced with the RC213V in recent years.

Honda is currently experiencing one of its most challenging periods in its Grand Prix history, with three of the past five seasons passing without a single victory.

In 2024, it ended up at the bottom of the constructors' rankings, accumulating only 75 points. The highest-placed rider from the team, LCR's Johann Zarco, secured the 17th position in the standings.

Amid its ongoing challenges, there is widespread speculation that Honda might channel all its efforts into the new project due to the significant regulatory shift happening in 2027 with the launch of the 850cc engines.

However, during a conversation with Autosport, Puig mentioned that currently, this is not a viable choice for Honda.

"He mentioned in reply to an inquiry regarding the 2027 regulations that companies will continually seek methods to increase the speed of bicycles."

"Regardless of the reduction in controls or devices, the situation remains challenging to address at this moment. However, Honda cannot afford to delay action until 2027, which is why I must consider the upcoming year."

In recent months, Honda has undergone significant changes in its staff, notably bringing on board Romano Albesiano, the ex-technical head of Aprilia, to lead its motorcycle development.

Regarding this, Puig commented, "At the moment, our sole focus is on enhancing the motorcycle."

"This marks the beginning. To accomplish this goal, Honda is dedicating every available resource and its technological capabilities."

"I'm referring not only to monetary assets but also to the workforce."

"This is the reason we chose to bring Romano on board. The primary objective is to enhance the motorcycle."

"We're improvising and putting in our best efforts daily, acknowledging that our current performance isn't up to par."

In recent times, Honda's initiatives in MotoGP and Formula 1 have been grouped under the HRC label, a move that Puig indicates the motorcycle sector is attempting to benefit from.

"He emphasized the need for a distinction, affirming that while Honda is indeed achieving success in Formula 1, it's crucial to recognize that a car and a motorcycle are fundamentally different."

"Honda provides the engines, while Red Bull boasts an impressive team responsible for designing the car."

"In this instance, Honda is responsible for the complete management of the motorcycle. This approach is distinct, yet both fall within the scope of HRC."

"We're making efforts to leverage the opportunities presented by F1, exploring how we can establish connections with what it has to offer."

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Motorcycle racing icon Valentino Rossi will compete in the 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour race

Rossi makes a comeback to the renowned Australian endurance race

The WRT BMW team has revealed that renowned MotoGP star Valentino Rossi will participate in the Bathurst 12 Hour race as part of his 2025 motorsport schedule.

Rossi announced earlier this month his intention to concentrate his BMW factory efforts on the LMGT3 category in the World Endurance Championship.

Last season, he participated in both the WEC and the GT World Challenge Europe with the WRT team. However, he found the number of races overwhelming, especially considering his family obligations and his intention to increase his involvement in MotoGP this year.

Discover more: A closer look at Valentino Rossi's pursuit of his elusive tenth world championship

Last year, Rossi announced his plans to compete in the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race, which is a segment of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, although it hadn't been officially confirmed.

WRT has officially announced that Rossi will be making a comeback to the race, driving a BMW M4 GT3 EVO. He will be teaming up with Raffaele Marciello and Charles Weertz.

Previously, Rossi participated in the event as a member of the WRT team during 2023 and 2024. His highest achievement came in the previous year, securing a fifth-place finish overall. At that time, he was co-driving a BMW alongside Marciello and Maxime

In a one-on-one conversation with Crash.net, WRT team leader Vincent Vosse revealed that talks are currently in progress with Rossi regarding participation in several GT races beyond the eight-event WEC schedule.

"He mentioned that there are a few concepts and proposals in consideration, but nothing has been finalized yet."

"However, there are certainly specific races that he finds particularly enjoyable. On those weekends, he's really passionate about participating."

Rossi entered the World Endurance Championship for the first time last year, securing two top-three finishes in the #46 vehicle alongside Martin and Ahmad Al Harthy.

In 2025, he is set to join forces again with Al Harthy, as Kelvin van der Linde, a two-time Nurburgring 24 Hours champion, steps in to take Martin's place in the team.

Vosse, in a statement to Crash, regarding Rossi's decision to prioritize the World Endurance Championship (WEC) over the GT World Challenge Europe, explained: "This choice stems from various factors such as his age, personal life, and career status. Additionally, his business and MotoGP team, VR46, are expanding."

"This year, it seems like they'll require some extra focus since they're welcoming a new member to the squad [Franco Morbidelli], marking what could be considered a fresh chapter for the team."

Vale has also embarked on a new chapter in his life with the arrival of his second child just a few days ago.

"Likely, he believes that the previous year he overextended himself with the number of racing events he participated in."

"Thus, he aimed to decrease the amount of weekends, and it was up to us to determine the most suitable option for him."

"After having a conversation, we concluded that WEC would indeed be an excellent opportunity for him."

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