Moto2 titleholder Ai Ogura admits to feeling anxious during his first test run alongside MotoGP legends

‘It wasn’t as shocking as I anticipated…’

Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura confessed to feeling "anxious" as he rode alongside MotoGP's elite racers during his inaugural test for Trackhouse Racing at Barcelona on Tuesday.

The rider from Japan inked a two-year agreement with the Aprilia satellite team during the summer to ascend to MotoGP by 2025, a contract that has significantly appreciated in value following his victory in the Moto2 championship.

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On Tuesday, following the Solidarity Grand Prix, Ogura participated in his first MotoGP test, where he rode the 2024 model of the RS-GP for a total of 86 laps.

He concluded the day as the second fastest among the three newcomers, ranking 21st overall, despite experiencing a minor fall at Turn 2 during the early part of the session.

Reflecting on his initial experience riding a MotoGP motorcycle, Ogura remarked, "Naturally, seeing the other racers on the track, along with some cameras, does cause me some anxiety. However, it was something I could handle."

When questioned about the principal distinction between Moto2 and MotoGP, he highlighted mastering the technique of stabilizing the motorcycle through throttle control as the primary challenge he needs to understand.

He also mentioned that his current greatest challenge is entering corners.

“Perhaps managing the throttle to maintain the bike’s stability and achieve smooth acceleration was the toughest aspect for me. It feels somewhat distinct.

"Initially, my focus is on improving my braking technique, specifically the entire phase from the moment I start braking until I begin to accelerate again. I aim to gain a deeper understanding of this aspect and prioritize making adjustments here first."

Newcomers frequently mention being taken aback by the strength of MotoGP engines and the efficiency of carbon brakes when they initially transition from Moto2.

However, Ogura experienced things differently, stating, "It was fine. I anticipated being more taken aback, but by the second or third lap, I had already adjusted to the pace."

"There's not much distinction between the steel brakes and the carbon brakes. It's not a big deal for me."

Ogura plans to ramp up his physical preparation during the winter months to handle the transition to MotoGP, though he mentioned not feeling overly fatigued after completing 86 laps on Tuesday.

"Today, I managed to complete 86 laps, with my longest continuous stretch being, I believe, around 10 laps," he mentioned.

"For this particular race, I was in good shape; I didn't have any physical issues."

"However, I didn't manage to complete 20 consecutive laps today, so it remains to be seen. Nevertheless, I'm feeling good after today's session, and I plan to increase my training intensity this winter compared to last year."

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Pedro Acosta: "At times, the motorcycle tends to get somewhat wild."

"Now, it's somewhat more stable, which is crucial."

On his inaugural day as a MotoGP rider with a factory team, Pedro Acosta dedicated his efforts to stabilizing and soothing his KTM as he embarked on the 2024 rookie season.

The most noticeable advancements focused on aerodynamics, as the racer who finished in the top three five times equipped his RC16 with various fairings, including one particularly radical design that had a very small windscreen.

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Acosta revealed that he experimented with approximately four to five distinct fairings. He mentioned that Brad [Binder] concentrated more on the electronics aspect. He expressed satisfaction over reaching some determinations, noting that achieving clarity in aerodynamics is not always straightforward.

We experimented with various approaches, and upon reviewing the results at the back with my usual fairings, the outcome was favorable.

"The bicycle exhibits a slightly more serene demeanor, which is crucial. Ultimately, as observed on television, our bicycle experiences significant tremors, complicating traction and other aspects."

Acosta led the pack initially but then dropped to the ninth position, trailing by 0.768 seconds. His new teammate, Brad Binder, emerged as the top KTM rider, securing sixth place with a 0.705-second gap.

"Acosta elaborated, stating their focus wasn't on improving traction at the back."

"The issue was primarily at the front end, as we're often lifting the bike into wheelies and experiencing significant shaking in the handlebars. At times, this causes the bike to behave somewhat erratically."

"We also concentrated more on the aspects related to electronics."

Acosta's upcoming appearance is scheduled for February at Sepang. What is he looking to discover in Malaysia?

"Greater strength, enhanced maneuverability, I desire a more stable bike, I seek better traction, essentially, I yearn for it all!" he responded.

"However, enhancing grip and making it somewhat more stable would certainly please me."

Peter has spent two decades within the racing circuit, witnessing both the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal from the scene and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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MotoGP 2025: Identifying Every Rider's Chief Mechanic

The complete list of rider and chief mechanic combinations for the MotoGP 2025 season

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

A shift in teams often brings about a change in crew chief for certain groups, whereas others, remaining in their current positions, greet new trackside engineers in their workshops.

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Here are the team assignments for crew chiefs and riders for the year 2025.

Team Ducati

Marc Marquez paired with Marco Rigamonti, and Francesco Bagnaia teamed up with Cristian Gabarrini.

Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez has joined the factory Ducati team, marking his third consecutive season with a new crew chief.

Upon departing from Honda and Santi Hernandez at the close of 2023, Marquez teamed up with Frankie Carchedi at Gresini for the 2024 season. However, his move to the official Ducati team meant he wouldn't maintain this partnership, as the Italian team chose to match him with Marco Rigamonti, who previously served as Enea Bastianini's crew chief.

Previously, Rigamonti collaborated with Andrea Iannone at both Ducati and Suzuki, in addition to partnering with Johann Zarco at the Avintia and Pramac Ducati teams.

Gabarrini has served as the dedicated crew chief for Francesco Bagnaia throughout his tenure as a MotoGP champion and has also collaborated with former champions Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo.

Honda racing team

Joan Mir – Santi Hernandez

Luca Marini – Christian Pupulin

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

Luca Marini will now have Christian Pupulin as his crew chief, taking over from Giacomo Guidotti. Guidotti has joined Pramac to work alongside Jack Miller, and Pupulin comes from a background of collaborating with the Australian during his time at KTM.

Aprilia Racing Team

Jorge Martin – Daniele Romagnoli

Marco Bezzecchi – Francesco Venturato

Jorge Martin, the newly crowned MotoGP champion, transitions to the official Aprilia team, accompanied by Daniele Romagnoli from the Pramac team.

Marco Bezzecchi has moved on from Matteo Flamigni at VR46 to collaborate with Francesco Venturato at Aprilia, who served as Maverick Vinales' performance engineer for the current year.

KTM Factory Racing Team

Pedro Acosta and Paul Trevathan

Brad Binder alongside Andres Madrid

Pedro Acosta, although a newcomer in the KTM team's garage, has brought along Paul Trevathan from Tech 3 to serve as his crew chief. Meanwhile, Brad Binder continues his partnership with Andrea Madrid.

Gresini

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

Fresh to the MotoGP scene, Aldeguer is teaming up with Marc Marquez's ex-crew chief Frankie Carchedi for this season, as Alex Marquez sticks with Donatello Giovanotti for his team support.

Yamaha Racing Team

Fabio Quartararo partnered with Diego Gubellini, and Alex Rins teamed up with David Munoz

Fabio Quartararo continues his collaboration with Diego Gubellini, his partner since his 2019 MotoGP entrance, while the former crew chief for Valentino Rossi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, David Munoz, joins forces with Alex Rins, taking over from Patrick Primmer.

VR46 Team

Franco Morbidelli teamed with Matteo Flamigni; Fabio Di Giannantonio paired with Massimo Branchini

Veteran technician for Valentino Rossi and previously in charge of Marco Bezzecchi's team, Matteo Flamigni, is teaming up with Franco Morbidelli as he transitions to VR46. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio is set to work with his fourth different chief mechanic in as many years, Massimo Branchini.

In 2024, Morbidelli had Branchini as his crew chief while at Pramac.

Tech3

Enea Bastianini is paired with Alberto Giribuola while Maverick Vinales teams up with Manuel Cazeaux.

Enea Bastianini's transition to the Tech3 KTM team next season will reunite him with Alberto Giribuola, his previous crew chief from their 2022 collaboration at Gresini.

Maverick Vinales has teamed up with Manu Cazeaux, bringing him over from Aprilia.

Pramac Racing Team

Miguel Oliveira and Luca Ferracioli, Jack Miller paired with Giacomi Guidotti.

Pramac is introducing an entirely fresh team for its inaugural season with Yamaha in 2025, which includes the addition of two new chief mechanics. Miguel Oliveira will be collaborating with Luca Ferracioli, previously associated with Luca Marini during his rookie season in 2021.

Giacomo Guidotti parts ways with Honda to collaborate with Jack Miller in the coming year.

Trackhouse

Raul Fernandez and Noe Herrera team up with Ai Ogura and Giovanni Mattarollo.

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

LCR

Johann Zarco – David Garcia

Somkiat Chantra – Klaus Nohles

Johann Zarco continues his collaboration with David Garcia in his sophomore year at LCR Honda, as newcomer to MotoGP, Somkiat Chantra, partners up with Takaaki Nakagami's previous crew chief, Klaus Nohles.

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Franco Morbidelli discusses VR46 debut: "There's something truly special here"

"We possess something extraordinary, and it's crucial we leverage it"

Franco Morbidelli is enthusiastic about utilizing his remarkable connection with VR46 as he joins Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP squad for the 2025 season.

The racer from Italy, who became the first world champion for the VR46 Academy in Moto2 2017 and secured a victory in MotoGP in 2020, is transitioning to a new team from Pramac.

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In addition to being in a well-known environment, Morbidelli stands out as one of the select riders who will maintain the same model of motorcycle in 2025.

This year at Pramac, Morbidelli was equipped with the same factory Desmosedici GP24 that his team-mate Jorge Martin used to clinch the championship. However, Morbidelli was unable to participate in any pre-season testing because he suffered from head injuries.

The ex-Yamaha contender who once vied for the championship secured a podium finish in the Sprint at Misano, placed fourth in the Indonesian Grand Prix, and ended up ninth in the overall rankings.

He kicked off his journey with Pertamina VR46, securing a seventh-place finish, trailing by 0.762 seconds, during the Barcelona test on Tuesday.

"Today mattered a lot in terms of familiarizing myself with my colleagues for the upcoming year," noted Morbidelli.

This group also consists of Matteo Flamigni, previously the chief mechanic for Marco Bezzecchi and once an electronic engineer for Rossi.

"Morbidelli expressed, 'Having been acquainted with numerous team members for a long time, it's truly a privilege to collaborate with them.'"

"Since my childhood, I've been a fan of Matteo. He achieved historical milestones alongside Vale as his electronics engineer, and we shared a great connection."

Morbidelli also mentioned, "My respect for everyone in the team, along with our mutual understanding, creates something truly special that we should leverage to its fullest potential.

"It's essential to utilize it as a means of quickly establishing connections and relationships to accomplish our goals."

The launch on Tuesday went quite well initially.

"Morbidelli described the initial day as outstanding. He mentioned that they made several adjustments to the motorcycle to grasp what was occurring, aiming to foster understanding amongst himself and his team.

"This will be the key factor for the upcoming year. The more we understand each other during these challenging moments, the more effectively we will perform and respond during the racing weekends."

"I enjoy the ambiance; it has everything necessary for success. We put in a lot of effort, and I chose not to switch to the soft tire towards the end because it was too chilly to better our lap time. All in all, it was an excellent beginning."

What about the unique leather materials?

"Gorgeous. I'm eager to see more pictures since it was truly delightful."

Fabio di Giannantonio, Morbidelli's teammate, was absent from the test because he recently underwent surgery on his shoulder.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ebb and flow of the paddock, including the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Why Honda MotoGP's 'less than optimistic' test outcomes aren't causing Zarco stress

LCR competitor shares thoughts on MotoGP testing in Barcelona

Johann Zarco has remarked that his experience testing the 2025 Honda model during the MotoGP off-season trials in Barcelona didn't yield optimistic results, yet he remains composed and is not overly concerned about the situation.

Honda factory team competitor Joan Mir expressed disappointment over the absence of fresh components at Tuesday's Barcelona trial by the Japanese brand.

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The 2020 global champion mentioned that all the enhancements he attempted for 2025 were ones he had previously experimented with this year, anticipating the addition of newer components.

In the trials, Zarco secured the 10th position out of all participants, completing 65 laps and notably outpacing his fellow HRC competitors. However, he also expressed dissatisfaction with the progression of the motorcycle he was testing.

He started by saying, "We introduced something fresh, alongside a new bicycle, but the outcome wasn't quite favorable."

"Hence, it might be wise to consider alternate paths for February. Personally, transitioning between my race bike and the new model, I focused on adapting my riding technique to maximize the bike's potential."

"Today was great because I focused on brief, high-quality runs which felt amazing. We experimented with various techniques that resulted in positive experiences."

Overall, the day went well, but considering Honda's ambitions for the upcoming year, we need to schedule a discussion to evaluate and decide whether to continue in the direction they chose today or not.

"I believe they will not proceed with it. Generally, from what we've observed in comparison to other motorcycles, the focus is on enhancing our engine."

"It stands as a crucial aspect since our bike isn't the quickest, making it vital to possess significant power for battling on the straights and securing advantageous spots for overtaking maneuvers during braking."

"The vulnerability of our bicycle lies in the control of rear traction."

"We haven't made any progress yet. The grip control could be beneficial for speeding up as well as for the braking section, which is where we're struggling."

Zarco experimented with a new chassis among other updates, but he mentions it detracted from the strengths of the RC213V and failed to enhance its traction, which was a known issue.

However, he isn't rushing to sound the alarm just now since he believes that experimenting with something that failed still benefits Honda.

"He mentioned that it was removing the positive aspects."

"Our shortcomings weren't addressed. This signifies something. Hence, I'm not allowing it to stress me out, as our pace wasn't significantly reduced.

"As we currently lag behind a Ducati in speed, our forthcoming actions need to enhance our lap times."

"For me, it was a beneficial day because we completed numerous productive laps and focused on improving my skills, which gave me a positive sensation."

"The feedback we received from testing various parts of the bike was positive and provided a wealth of crucial information that will be analyzed throughout the winter."

"The project isn't exactly new, but the changes they made weren't beneficial for the users."

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The overlooked standout from the 2024 Barcelona MotoGP trials

Crash.net examines the post-season Barcelona trials in the newest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast

Significant alterations were noticeable on the track during the post-season MotoGP test in Barcelona, which took place earlier this week for the 2024 season.

Amidst the widespread attention on Jorge Martin's inaugural run on the Aprilia as the new world champion and Marc Marquez's initial appearance in the factory Ducati team, another racer subtly made a strong impression during his initial outing on a KTM.

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Maverick Vinales has transitioned from Aprilia to join the KTM team at Tech3 for the 2025 season, managing an impressive 12th place finish among the official RS-GPs as he adapted to the RC16.

In this episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the panel delves into Vinales' early reactions to the motorcycle and what insights we can gather from his inaugural run with the KTM.

"Vinales found the engine power captivating right after his move from Aprilia," noted Peter McLaren, the Editor for Crash MotoGP.

"He likely achieved the highest speed during the trial. He also enjoyed the initial bursts of speed, particularly because KTM's starting capability is among the finest in MotoGP, possibly surpassing even that of Ducati."

"He took great pleasure in that experience. Although he had his reservations about the high-speed turns, an area where the Aprilia excelled, he mentioned that it still felt quite satisfactory."

"In the initial stages, during the testing phase, it's crucial to proceed with caution regarding the grip levels. This is particularly important for any manufacturer experiencing a deficiency in grip – a common issue as many are in search of some form of grip or traction improvement."

"It's important to proceed with caution when drawing conclusions from a Tuesday trial, especially after a full day of tire activity on the track. However, Vinales mentioned that his initial reaction was highly favorable."

Jordan Moreland, the social media manager for Crash, commented, "He appeared quite self-assured. It seemed like a perfect match."

Maverick has a unique flair that makes him appear impressive on any motorcycle he rides, whether it was while riding the Suzuki, Yamaha, or Aprilia, he always managed to look stylish.

"I believe he's an excellent addition due to his vast experience. Despite being tagged as unpredictable and it being uncertain how he'll perform from one week to the next."

"However, I mentioned earlier that there will be a weekend next year when he'll be in the thick of the battle, vying for a victory."

In his briefing, Crash Senior Journalist Lewis Duncan described it as "natural."

"It's been a while since Maverick has shown such joy. He was truly satisfied with the motorcycle, appreciating every aspect of it. He views himself as the top contender in starting races within MotoGP, especially based on the data he's observed, and he was thoroughly impressed by KTM's capabilities."

"He's visibly thrilled about the shift to KTM. He had consistently shown a strong desire to test out the bike, and now that he has, it seems he's genuinely eager about the future possibilities."

Clearly, we must approach Maverick's statements with some skepticism as he expressed confusion over the weekend about his performance during the Americas GP. He remains puzzled about why he performed so well there, as well as in Portugal, considering those events as anomalies.

"Is the issue with him or the motorcycle? Considering the performance of Aprilia after that moment before it began to decline, it's challenging to determine. That's the major dilemma facing Maverick."

"He seems overly sensitive to me. It's evident that he excels when conditions are ideal, but once they deviate, his performance significantly declines. This has been particularly noticeable with the KTMs this season."

"When they perform well, they're leading the pack. However, when they struggle, like in the last weekend's qualifying: Acosta advanced to Q2, yet the subsequent KTM ranked 18th."

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Pecco Bagnaia's decisive mistake in the championship race didn't occur in 2024

This year, in the MotoGP championship, Pecco Bagnaia was defeated by Jorge Martin, the same competitor he outpaced in 2023.

In the 2024 MotoGP championship, the battle for the title once again came down to Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, marking the second consecutive year these two competitors faced off for the crown. This time, however, the outcome was different, with Martin clinching the championship over Bagnaia, showcasing significant improvement from his performance the previous year.

At first glance, throughout both 2023 and 2024, Bagnaia and Martin appeared to be on par with each other to such an extent that it seems justifiable for each to have secured one championship title over the two seasons.

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Nonetheless, it could be argued that the confrontations in both years might not have occurred if not for a crucial error made by Bagnaia.

Following the 2023 Catalan Sprint, Bagnaia was at the forefront of the championship, holding a 62-point lead over Martin. He stood out as the sole competitor who could match the speed of the Aprilia team members — Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales — during the race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in September. At that stage in the season, he was performing exceptionally well, evidently distinguishing himself as the top contender in the competition.

However, the course of events shifted dramatically when Bagnaia fell at the second turn, and Brad Binder, despite reasonable efforts, could not dodge the Italian as he made his way into the third turn during last year's Catalan Grand Prix.

There's no denying that the accident significantly eased Martin's task of narrowing the distance to Bagnaia in the season's latter stages. Indeed, one could say that if it weren't for that mishap, Martin might not have genuinely been in the running for the championship in 2023.

Indeed, his entry into the title race was a consequence of the incident in turn two that led to Bagnaia's physical setback during the next week's San Marino Grand Prix and affected his confidence in the subsequent Asian races.

Certainly, 2023 had its fair share of unexpected events, but their significance largely stemmed from the crash in Catalunya. This incident not only awarded Martin valuable points but also, crucially, provided him with momentum.

Throughout the remainder of the season, Bagnaia found himself frequently playing catch-up, striving to match Martin's performance — achieving this with varying degrees of success at different times.

In 2023, Bagnaia clinched the title due to both his outstanding performance and the errors committed by Martin.

Consider the incident at the Indonesian Grand Prix, the decision-making regarding tyres at the Australian Grand Prix, and notably, the intense finale in Valencia that culminated in a collision with Marc Marquez.

Certainly, Martin also experienced his share of bad luck, particularly noticeable in his performance at the Qatar Grand Prix, the reasons for which remain largely unclear. However, this did not impact him as significantly as his experiences in Indonesia or Valencia.

Martin's success lies in his ability to recognize and enhance his weak points in 2023, leading to a significant improvement in 2024. Achieving 32 podium finishes out of 40 races is an impressive achievement, despite only securing victories in three Grand Prix events this year.

In the eight races where he didn't make it to the podium, one notable instance was during the Texas Sprint, amidst Ducati's most challenging rear tyre vibration problems of the season. Despite this, he managed to outperform Bagnaia in both races that weekend. Another event saw him just missing the podium with a fourth-place finish in the Barcelona Sprint, a race where Bagnaia did not finish due to a crash. Four incidents of him not placing in the top three — at the Spanish Grand Prix, German Grand Prix, Italian Sprint, and Indonesian Sprint — were due to crashes, interestingly all competitions where Bagnaia emerged victorious. At the San Marino Grand Prix, Martin ended up in 15th place after a bike swap, a race where Bagnaia secured a second-place finish. Lastly, Martin achieved a fourth-place finish in the Japanese Sprint after starting 11th, a result of a crash in Q2.

During the competitions where Martin experienced crashes, he was at the forefront in Spain, Germany, and Indonesia, and was trailing just behind Bagnaia in Italy as the runner-up. At the time he switched to his wet weather motorcycle in San Marino, Martin was positioned just after Bagnaia.

Beyond the previously mentioned races in Texas, Martin consistently challenged for a podium position throughout 2024, frequently achieving that goal.

In 2024, Martin secured a spot on the podium 32 times, with half of those finishes being runner-ups. Bagnaia clinched the victory in nine of those races.

This demonstrates Martin's capacity for calmness, a quality he lacked in 2023 due to his immaturity and self-doubt. These weaknesses caused Martin to falter in places like Indonesia and Australia, though such errors became significantly less frequent by 2024.

In 2023, Martin may have attempted to catch up to Marc Marquez at Aragon; by 2024, Martin understood that Marquez was not the competitor to focus on. In 2023, Martin could have continued striving to outperform Bagnaia in Malaysia; by 2024, Martin accepted that securing second place was satisfactory.

Throughout 2024, numerous examples demonstrated that Martin's ultimate triumph was due to consistently outperforming Bagnaia, who, despite winning nearly four times as many Grand Prix races as Martin, often found himself in the position of the pursuer.

What contributed to Martin's display of remarkable composure? Last year, he strategically navigated his path to securing a world championship.

The key moment unfolded in Catalunya 2023, marked by Bagnaia's accident. This incident unexpectedly thrust Martin into the spotlight for the championship race towards the end, revealing to him firsthand why he wasn't prepared to clinch the title in 2023. It highlighted the aspects he needs to improve on to enhance his prospects for victory in 2024.

Had Martin not remained closely behind Bagnaia towards the end of 2023, he wouldn’t have experienced the intense competition for the championship, thereby missing out on the opportunity to see his response to such stress. This experience was crucial; without it, his off-season advancements wouldn’t have been possible since they were based on insights gained throughout 2023. Entering 2024, he might have retained his quickness, yet lacked the essential mindset that proved critical in securing this year’s championship.

Could that have altered the results of 2024? It's conceivable, though naturally, there's no way to know with certainty.

Ultimately, in 2023, Bagnaia provided Martin with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge needed to secure the championship in 2024. However, it remained Martin's responsibility to correctly understand and apply these insights.

Now, in a peculiar twist, Martin's triumph in 2024 unexpectedly provides Bagnaia, a three-time World Champion, an opportunity to grasp similar teachings.

The factors leading to Bagnaia's failure to secure the championship this year are clear. It wasn't due to Brad Binder's aggressive racing in Jerez, a mechanical problem in Le Mans, or Alex Marquez's oversight in Aragon. The critical setbacks were the front-end crashes in Catalunya, Silverstone, and most notably, Misano.

As time progresses, it will become clear if Bagnaia is capable of achieving similar improvements to Martin during the forthcoming winter season.

In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle information for Visordown.

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Aleix Espargaro's initial reaction to the Honda MotoGP motorcycle: 'He found it impressive'

The ex-Aprilia rider experienced his initial rounds on the Honda during the Barcelona trials

Honda's official MotoGP competitors shared their perspective on Aleix Espargaro's first impressions of the RC213V following his trial run at the Barcelona test after the season ended.

Espargaro, who has clinched victory in three grand prix races, concluded his career as a full-time racer at the end of the Solidarity Grand Prix and has since taken up a new position with Honda as a test rider.

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On Tuesday in Barcelona, the Spanish rider took his initial turns on the RC213V and remarkably placed 14th on the leaderboard, surpassing full-time competitor Joan Mir.

Espargaro chose not to communicate with the press, however, Luca Marini disclosed details regarding his discussions with Honda's recently appointed test rider.

"He expressed his excitement about Aleix getting his first experience on the bike right here in Barcelona, considering it might be his most favored track."

"His incredible speed on this circuit and his outstanding performance with Aprilia have significantly contributed to the bike's development. His initial feedback from this track will be particularly beneficial."

"I briefly conversed with him amidst the exam, and I plan to have a more in-depth discussion later. However, the lap times are promising."

"His feedback indicates he's on to something, and from my perspective, all he needs is a bit more time to familiarize himself with the bike since it's quite unique compared to the rest. However, he'll figure out how to contribute to our efforts."

Mir observed that Espargaro identified both the strengths and weaknesses in the Honda that others had noted before, humorously adding that he was "impressed" by the weaknesses.

"Mir mentioned that the individual tested our fundamental model, the basic motorcycle we offer. To my understanding, he didn't experiment with any new features," he added, expressing his dissatisfaction with Honda's failure to introduce new products during the test.

He was taken aback. He plans to discuss it further. Indeed, the points he raised, which consistently come up in praise, include the bike's insufficient torque, its inadequate grip, and its shortfall in power.

"In locations where grievances are less common, his complaints were similarly infrequent. Within the rotating zone, he mentions feeling somewhat comfortable."

"He didn’t have much to criticize about the bike’s fundamental design and its geometry, as those aspects were quite satisfactory. However, he was notably taken aback by our shortcomings in terms of grip, acceleration, and overall top speed."

Honda's team leader, Alberto Puig, commended Espargaro for his "accurate" insights shared with the Honda engineers from the test team.

"He expressed immense joy and astonishment in his conversation with motogp.com, stating, 'We are extremely pleased and quite taken aback."

"It's no shock, given his speed. He was in contention for a top spot on Sunday."

"Indeed, the individual possesses the agility, yet what truly astonished me was his interaction with our engineers: he was direct, accurate, and explicit in his communication, clearly articulating what he perceives as the strengths and weaknesses of the motorcycle."

"This is precisely what we aimed for: someone with experience but also speed, because ultimately, it's about finding the right balance."

"Definitely optimistic, he appears joyful, and I am convinced that his involvement with us and Honda will play a significant role. We're beginning, and it's essential we devise a solid strategy alongside him."

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Alex Rins discloses Yamaha's regret regarding a problem with the 2024 MotoGP motorcycle

"He had an in-depth conversation with the team, during which they expressed their apologies"

Alex Rns disclosed that Yamaha issued an apology to him for failing to address the braking challenges he faced during the 2024 MotoGP season, following the Solidarity Grand Prix.

The racer who has won six grand prix titles had a challenging debut season with Yamaha, only managing to accumulate 31 points and finishing 18th in the rankings.

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Rins encountered a major challenge with the M1, specifically an inability to maintain rear tire grip during braking – an issue he claims Yamaha couldn't resolve.

Following what he termed as "arguably the worst or nearly the worst race of my career" during the Solidarity GP in Barcelona, he mentioned that the Yamaha team management extended an apology for not resolving this issue on his behalf.

"When questioned about the area Yamaha should focus on for enhancements in 2025 following the post-season test, he responded, emphasizing that, in his opinion, Yamaha should prioritize upgrading the braking and entry."

"This year, they couldn't provide me with a competitive bike for this field."

Throughout all the races, I faced difficulties maintaining traction with the rear tire. Ultimately, when you lack rear tire grip, it hampers your ability to decelerate the bike effectively during braking. This issue leads to either veering off course, or, in instances where I managed to halt the bike, it resulted in excessive heat on the front tire, causing it to fail.

Following the race, I had a detailed conversation with both Max Bartolini and Massimo Meregalli, during which they offered their apologies.

"I'm fairly serene knowing they're addressing the issue, yet we must also enhance the engine's performance and the electronics."

Yamaha experienced an active testing session on Tuesday in Barcelona, where both of its main riders were equipped with three M1 motorcycles in their respective pits.

Yamaha planned to evaluate a fresh engine and frame, alongside exploring innovative configuration concepts.

Rins expressed satisfaction with the updated frame, yet he believes he is "not yet prepared to handle this level of performance" due to the new engine's output not aligning with his approach to riding.

"During the preparation phase, we made incremental changes, not exactly to the extent I had hoped for. However, after the race, in discussions with the engineers, they mentioned that the upcoming tests wouldn't result in a drastic transformation. They're anticipating a modest improvement, perhaps in the range of five to 10 percent," he further stated.

"I experimented with a set-up adjustment I hadn't attempted over the Grand Prix weekend, which simplified handling the bike for me."

"Besides, Yamaha introduced several innovations, including a fresh chassis and engine design, which I found quite impressive."

"I managed to maintain a higher speed through the center of the turn. I anticipated a more significant enhancement in the braking aspect, yet the improvement was minimal."

"Concerning the engine, it's accurate to say that it exhibits greater power on the straightaways and when coming out of turns. However, when it comes to my particular way of riding, we're not yet equipped to handle this level of power."

"The bicycle exhibited a high level of aggressiveness, with considerable spinning, necessitating adjustments to the electronic components for this motor."

"Our efforts weren't heavily concentrated on the electronics due to time constraints. Instead, our primary attention was toward developing the new engine and chassis, along with some adjustments to the setup."

"In my opinion, we lacked an additional engine to experiment with a varying setup internally. This could have been the fifth or sixth new engine I've had the opportunity to try out."

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Fred Vasseur clarifies why Ferrari chose not to inquire about the possibility of Lewis Hamilton joining the team sooner than planned.

Fred Vasseur mentions that out of respect for his existing contract, Ferrari chose not to inquire with Mercedes about the possibility of Lewis Hamilton starting his Formula 1 testing with the team ahead of schedule.

After a remarkable 12-year tenure with Mercedes, Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, is set to make a sensational move to Ferrari next season, having decided to use an exit clause in his contract to facilitate the change.

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However, the possibility of Hamilton debuting with Ferrari during the post-season test after the final Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been dismissed due to the 39-year-old British driver's obligations with Mercedes.

In a notable development, Hamilton is scheduled to pilot a Ferrari Formula 1 vehicle for his inaugural run at the squad's secluded Fiorano circuit during the early months of 2025.

Vasseur verified that Ferrari did not submit a formal request to Mercedes for Hamilton's participation in the Abu Dhabi test.

"Vasseur clarified, saying, 'Since there's a contract in place, I haven't approached Toto with such a request.'"

"There's an agreement in place that needs to be honored. Just because we're taking certain actions for Carlos doesn't mean everyone else is obligated to follow suit."

Wolff mentioned that Mercedes has prepared "goodbye" arrangements for Hamilton, blocking any chance of such a showing.

"Wolff mentioned, "Fred never inquired. I believe it changes the scenario if you're potentially moving to Williams, yet we're bound by contracts with our sponsors."

We're organizing a goodbye party for Lewis, complete with numerous planned events. He and I briefly discussed it, and his response was, "I suppose that won't be possible."

"I mentioned, 'yes, I doubt it will be successful, and that was it. Therefore, I believe Fred isn't particularly upset."

Vasseur expressed his reluctance to hinder Carlos Sainz's early start at Williams as a gesture of gratitude for his "extremely professional demeanor" throughout his last season at Ferrari.

"Vasseur expressed his gratitude towards Carlos for their partnership, emphasizing his intention not to hinder him in any way."

"I believe he performed exceptionally well for us this season, demonstrating a high level of professionalism. It would have been simple to lose motivation, yet he maintained a commendable professional demeanor."

"For me, expressing my gratitude to Carlos meant giving him the chance to undertake a trial with Williams."

Lewis frequently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. Typically delivering reports directly from the event locations, Lewis shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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Jenson Button reignites discussion on Lewis Hamilton's age and reaction times

"Perhaps there's a slight decline…"

Jenson Button has speculated that Lewis Hamilton's age might be a factor contributing to his underwhelming qualifying performances this season.

This season, with three races remaining, Hamilton trails his teammate George Russell in F1 qualifying sessions, with a record of 16 losses to 5 wins.

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This indicates that during this season, for only the second time in his 12-year stint with Mercedes, he will be outperformed by a teammate in direct qualifying competition.

Former McLaren teammate Button emphasized that Hamilton traditionally excels in qualifying sessions.

However, Button mentioned to Sky Sports, "He's nearing 40. Perhaps you lose just a little bit as you age."

"You are competing with individuals who are in their twenties. Even if your reflexes are excellent, they won't match the sharpness of someone who is 20 years old."

"You might lose that minor advantage that doesn't affect a race, but it becomes more noticeable during qualifying."

"It can be painful to watch the younger drivers not only show speed during qualifying but also demonstrate remarkable consistency throughout the sessions."

The Mercedes team has reasons to feel hopeful as both drivers prepare for Saturday's F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Hamilton secured the fastest times in both practice sessions on Friday, while Russell came in second in one

Mercedes has faced challenges this season, experiencing a decline in competitiveness as race weekends progress.

During the previous race in Brazil, Hamilton was unable to advance past Q1 during a rain-affected qualifying session and ended up securing the 10th position in the grand prix.

He showed up again in Vegas, confessing that during the low point of his disappointing performance in Brazil, he considered quitting.

As Hamilton led the practice session on Friday in Las Vegas, Button expressed his delight by saying, "I'm truly glad he's participating, and I have no doubt we'll witness Lewis at his finest."

However, it is uncertain if he will manage to outqualify his teammate Russell for just the sixth time in 17 tries.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of events, including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Lewis Hamilton remains cautious about Mercedes' prospects in Las Vegas, despite a successful practice session.

Lewis Hamilton is maintaining a cautious outlook on Mercedes' prospects at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, following an unexpected sweep in the practice sessions.

After a disappointing performance in Brazil, seven-time world champion Hamilton made a strong recovery by leading both of Friday's practice sessions in Sin City, signaling a positive beginning for Mercedes as the weekend kicked off.

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Hamilton was ahead of his Mercedes colleague George Russell during the initial session and narrowly outpaced McLaren's Lando Norris in the subsequent session.

Mercedes has frequently kicked off the weekend with impressive performances on Fridays, only to see their performance decline as the race weekend unfolds this season, and Hamilton remains cautious about this pattern continuing.

"Quite satisfying. I believe it's the initial occasion this year I've experienced a day of that caliber," Hamilton remarked.

"In the first practice session, the car performed exceptionally well. However, in the second session, it didn't feel as great. This means we have to put in some effort to figure things out before tomorrow. It's challenging to pinpoint our exact position or the reasons behind it, but I truly had a great time navigating the circuit."

"Tomorrow, we'll find out if the car remains unchanged."

Despite topping the speed charts in both practice sessions, Hamilton cautioned that Mercedes needs to enhance their performance over longer distances.

"He clarified that while warmer conditions slightly exacerbate our situation, our speed during the race remains suboptimal."

"We need to put in effort through the night to determine our strategy for improving our race speed while maintaining our inherent lap time."

"It was a positive experience to maintain consistency across different sections without the vehicle causing any disruptions."

In response to whether he believes Mercedes has a shot at pole position and victory, Hamilton stated, "I'm in high spirits personally. Entering this weekend, I was aware that my driving isn't the issue."

"I need to put in a lot of effort tonight without making any major adjustments, and I'm hoping to get a decent night's sleep."

Lewis frequently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. Typically providing live updates, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures within the racing community.

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