Fabio Quartararo discusses the major transformation at Yamaha for MotoGP 2024. The 2021 world champion shares his thoughts on a year marked by significant changes at Yamaha.

Fabio Quartararo believes that the most significant advancement for Yamaha's underperforming MotoGP team in 2024 was a shift in their mindset.

Yamaha is currently undergoing a restructuring period, having transitioned from being a strong contender for the championship as recently as 2022 to experiencing two consecutive seasons without any victories.

Yamaha implemented a new concessions system that enabled ongoing engine updates throughout the season. Quartararo observed that the brand was more open to deploying new engines as they became ready.

This marked a departure from Yamaha's usual strategy, as well as the typical method of Japanese manufacturers, who typically wait to launch new components until they are completely perfected.

An important element of this transition has been the appointment of Max Bartolini as the technical director.

He stated that he anticipated the performance improvements to occur a bit more quickly. However, during the early part of the season, the crucial aspect wasn't just the bike's enhancement but the shift in our work approach, which significantly helped in altering our mindset.

"The adjustments made a difference, in my opinion. As soon as we had one engine functioning properly, we had it ready to use in the following race."

"We didn't need to delay testing the bike for safety reasons. As long as it functions, we implement it."

"In the first half, things unfolded in a certain way, but in the second half, we succeeded in making significant improvements, particularly in the electronics sector."

When questioned by Crash.net about whether Yamaha's previous mindset has finally changed, he responded, "Yes. At least as long as I'm involved, that's how it will be."

"If it doesn't, it won't be able to keep up. However, we only made the switch this year. Therefore, it will align in the coming years since we believe we've made some minor progress."

Yamaha's motorcycle advancements are set to accelerate in 2025, thanks to a collaboration with Pramac that will introduce two additional factory M1 bikes.

This marks Yamaha's return to having a satellite team for the first time since the conclusion of the 2022 season, following RNF's move to partner with Aprilia.

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Ducati's Commanding Performance in 2024 MotoGP Season

In the 2024 MotoGP season, Ducati set new benchmarks with its overwhelming success.

The 2024 MotoGP season is likely to be noted for Ducati's overwhelming supremacy as it clinched yet another world championship.

Since its introduction in 2003, against the backdrop of Japanese supremacy in MotoGP, Ducati has experienced significant peaks and valleys over the past twenty years.

It began its journey with a victory in 2003 during its inaugural year, and later, Casey Stoner achieved the Italian brand's first world championship in 2007.

As Stoner kept securing victories with the bike in the following years, the championship became increasingly elusive due to the challenging nature of the Desmosedici. When Stoner departed in 2011, Ducati experienced its lowest point.

Valentino Rossi's much-anticipated signing resulted in only three podium finishes over two seasons, leading the MotoGP icon to make his way back to Yamaha in 2013.

Towards the conclusion of that year, Ducati recruited Gigi Dall’Igna from Aprilia to serve as the general manager, aiming to revitalize the brand's performance. Although the progress was gradual, Ducati achieved race victories once more by 2016, contended for the championship up to the last race in 2017, and consistently maintained a leading position until 2022.

Francesco Bagnaia managed to erase a 91-point gap halfway through the season to secure the 2022 championship. He continued his success by winning again in 2023, during a period when Ducati established itself as the leading power in MotoGP.

In 2024, it set a new MotoGP record by winning 19 out of 20 grand prix races.

Ducati riders completely dominated the podium on Sundays a total of 14 times, setting a new record.

In the year 2024, Ducati's team, consisting of six out of its eight riders, secured a total of 53 podium finishes and claimed 16 pole positions. Additionally, the team has maintained a streak of podium appearances in 66

Ducati managed to have at least one of its riders finish on the podium in each sprint race.

By the conclusion of 2024, Ducati has accumulated 106 grand prix wins, establishing itself as the sole European company in MotoGP history to exceed one hundred victories.

In the previous season, Ducati secured its fifth consecutive constructors’ championship, and the Ducati-affiliated team, Pramac, clinched the teams’ championship.

Jorge Martin achieved his first premier class title, becoming the third world champion for the marque after his time with Pramac.

"The 2024 MotoGP season showcased Ducati's overwhelming superiority through their motorcycles, riders, and technical team, leaving a lasting impression on the sport's enthusiasts," stated Ducati's CEO, Claudio Domenicali.

"I am thrilled for Jorge, an exceptionally skilled racer who developed his career with Ducati and, alongside us, fulfilled the dream he had cherished since childhood."

Following the exhilarating excitement of 2022 and the achievement of heightened consciousness in 2023, we are now eager to honor the success of what we call the "Ducati System."

A framework influenced by the lessons of Galileo Galilei, who is credited with developing the scientific method and laying the groundwork for contemporary science.

"A method that has propelled us to excel in track-racing events, and one that we also utilize in the study, creation, and advancement of our products, showcasing Italian engineering with pride on a global scale."

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Why Johann Zarco Believes He Can Still Make Progress in MotoGP

The French rider discusses his confidence in his versatile skills.

Johann Zarco is confident that he can continue to improve in MotoGP despite reaching a later stage in his career. He attributes this potential for growth to his mindset of never taking his past actions as unquestionably correct.

The two-time Moto2 world champion entered the top-tier category in 2017, marking his debut with the Tech3 Yamaha team.

Discover more: How Honda Identified its Genuine MotoGP Leader in 2024

After spending two years frequently reaching the podium, his 2019 season with KTM was so poor that it nearly concluded his career. However, in 2020, Zarco found a fresh start with Ducati.

Following his inaugural MotoGP victory in 2023 with Pramac Ducati, Zarco transitioned to LCR Honda for the 2024 season, emerging as the top performer for the Japanese manufacturer.

Zarco achieved Honda's top result of the season by finishing eighth at the Thai Grand Prix, consistently showcasing impressive speed in individual laps.

As the 2024 campaign concluded, Zarco discussed his ability to adjust to the RC213V. He focused on enhancing the strengths of his riding style while addressing areas of improvement, taking advantage of the Honda's time-saving capabilities.

When questioned about maintaining flexibility throughout his career, Zarco stated, "I enjoy maintaining this mindset, and I am confident that it will assist me in achieving or regaining a top position, as I notice that some riders have the capability to accomplish things, while others do not."

"That's the reason I avoid convincing myself that my actions, past or present, were justified."

"It was correct, although perhaps not entirely correct for today."

"I'm confident that certain things will start to make sense both mentally and physically for me. When that happens, I'm certain I'll be able to perform better."

Zarco is set to continue with Honda under his existing contract until the conclusion of 2025.

He finished the previous season ranked 17th in points, standing 24 points ahead of the next highest-ranking Honda rider, his LCR teammate Takaaki Nakagami.

Honda's factory team riders, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, ended up at the lowest positions in the rankings.

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Jorge Martin acknowledges three MotoGP competitors for enhancing his skills during the 2024 championship race

“Whenever one didn't stand out, another was always in contention to win…”

Jorge Martin has acknowledged his top three rivals in the MotoGP championship for contributing to his improvement as a rider, which ultimately led him to secure the 2024 world title.

Martin clinched his initial top-tier championship after a season-long contest that remained undecided until the final race, with the ex-Pramac competitor securing victory by a margin of 10 points.

The Spanish racer made history as the first rider from a private team to clinch the championship in the contemporary period, joining the ranks of Ducati's world champions alongside Francesco Bagnaia and Casey Stoner as the third to achieve this feat.

Insight: Initial Optimism Observed in Jorge Martin's Maiden Aprilia MotoGP Trial

As the 2024 season approached its climax, Martin and Bagnaia stood out as the leading contenders, with Bagnaia securing 11 grand prix victories compared to the ultimate world champion, Martin's, three throughout the season.

On occasion, Martin found himself in direct competition with Gresni's Marc Marquez and the official Ducati competitor, Enea Bastianini, who rounded out the leading quartet in the rankings, following the front-runners.

"Martin mentioned that Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini have all contributed to his improvement as a rider, pushing him to perform at his best."

"Whenever one didn't have the chance to win, the other one did, and I was consistently part of that struggle, which ultimately set me apart."

"Securing the championship proved to be an immense challenge, as we set a new record for the highest points ever, indicating the level of competition we faced. Overcoming such fierce opponents is truly remarkable."

Martin has also stated that after securing the world championship, he triumphed over “the prime versions” of Bagnaia and Marquez in 2024.

The current titleholder is set to join Aprilia for his championship defense in 2025, following Ducati's decision reversal earlier this year, opting for Marquez over Martin for its factory team promotion.

So far, Martin has not announced whether he will compete using the number one plate.

During the off-season trials in Barcelona last month, Martin embarked on his first ride on the RS-GP, choosing to retain his customary number 89.

In 2025, Bastianini will part ways with Ducati to join the KTM team, accepting a position to compete with the Tech3 team, where he will team up with ex-Aprilia competitor, Maverick Vinales.

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Aprilia's new technical chief, Fabiano Sterlacchini, sheds light on departure from KTM: "Compatibility issues emerged"

Sterlacchini takes on the role of technical director at Aprilia

Fabiano Strelacchini, the newly appointed technical director at Aprilia, stated that his departure from his MotoGP position at KTM was a "joint decision," following a realization of "diminished compatibility."

Sterlacchini, who had a long tenure at Ducati, made the move to the KTM team in June 2021.

By the time summer arrived this year, Sterlacchini had departed from his role at the Austrian brand, and it was during the weekend of the Japanese Grand Prix that his appointment as Aprilia's new technical director was made public.

He takes over from Romano Albesiano, who is moving to Honda after guiding Aprilia from the rear of the field upon its return in 2015 to achieving their first race victories in MotoGP.

In a conversation with TG Regione Marche, Sterlacchini mentioned that his departure from KTM was influenced by logistical reasons, acknowledging that he was aware of this factor from the beginning.

"Thus, there were underlying factors; as soon as the significant compatibility ceased to exist, it was a choice made together."

Sterlacchini embarked on his journey with Aprilia as the season concluded, marking his involvement in the extensive transformation happening at the Italian brand, encompassing an updated roster of riders.

Aprilia has announced that Jorge Martin, the 2024 world champion, will join its official team, partnering with Marco Bezzecchi, as newcomer Ai Ogura gets promoted to compete for Trackhouse.

Following the initial trial of the fresh squad in Barcelona the previous month, Sterlacchini observed, "Things are progressing satisfactorily.

"The initial strategy employed by both Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi was quite optimistic."

"They displayed several impressive features of the bicycle.

"Clearly, there are certain areas that require improvement, and by addressing the challenges presented by these two riders, we will gain a clearer understanding of our current standing and identify the specific areas that need enhancement."

"Both of them are emerging from an extremely speedy motorcycle, and specifically, Jorge holds the title of the current world champion."

In 2024, Aprilia became the sole brand apart from Ducati to secure a grand prix victory, thanks to Maverick Vinales' triumph in the United States.

However, a decrease in performance of the RS-GP during the latter part of the season resulted in Aprilia falling to third place in the manufacturers' rankings, trailing behind KTM.

Vinales, who is set to switch to KTM in 2025, was the team's top performer in the championship, finishing seventh.

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Exploring why the Spanish Grand Prix is considered the top race of MotoGP in 2024

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the crew shares their insights on which race stood out as the finest in 2024

The 2024 MotoGP championship was filled with unforgettable events, yet a single race distinguished itself as particularly noteworthy.

Throughout the season, which spanned 20 rounds and included 40 races, Ducati led the pack, securing the majority of victories on its journey to clinching the world championship.

At the Jerez Spanish Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia continued his success, securing another victory to bring his total to 11 wins on Sundays in 2024.

However, he faced stiff competition throughout from Gresini's Marc Marquez. Riding a Ducati model designed for 2023, Marquez was in the midst of getting accustomed to the new bike following his significant switch from the factory Honda team after the last season concluded.

Marquez and Bagnaia entered the Spanish Grand Prix with heightened tension from a previous encounter at the Portuguese Grand Prix, which had taken place just a couple of weeks earlier, intensifying the atmosphere in the closing laps.

For Jordan Moreland, the social media manager at Crash.net, the Spanish Grand Prix of 2024 stood out as the season's most unforgettable race.

"In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, he mentioned, 'everyone will be yelling 'it's clearly Sepang'."

"Those were the initial four laps. Ideally, you'd want that excitement towards the finale. In my opinion, the most memorable races historically are those where the action unfolds closer to the conclusion."

"I believe the event that really stood out this year, and also provided a glimpse into what the future might hold, is Jerez."

"I believe the moment Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia faced off was truly a highlight of the season for me. Sitting there, watching that showdown, I couldn't help but get incredibly thrilled. The suspense was palpable even through the screen."

Marquez is on his tail, executing a pass, Bagnaia retaliates by slipping beneath him, their bikes touch, Marquez attempts another pass on the following lap. And then they’re neck and neck all the way to the finish.

Following the event, the jubilant mood was evident, with both parties participating in celebrations. Marquez was thrilled to return to the podium.

"It somewhat introduced Marquez's fresh approach for 2024. Bagnaia really demonstrated his resilience when facing Marquez, especially considering their past encounter at Portimao. To me, it felt like a classic MotoGP race, echoing the vibes of races from years past."

Crash Senior Journalist Lewis Duncan shares Moreland's views, stating: "My issue with Sepang lies in the initial three laps, which were indeed thrilling. However, the remainder of the race was tedious, utterly disappointing. It hardly justified staying awake for.

"Should anyone feel the need to raise objections with me, they're welcome to. Winning a race isn't determined in the initial few laps; it's about who crosses the finish line last. Reflect on the historic confrontations like the one in Barcelona in 2009, the numerous thrilling encounters in Austria between Marc and Dovi [Andrea Dovizioso], and the Silverstone race in 2019."

"The initial three laps at Sepang were fantastic, but the remainder left much to be desired. I'm not a fan of having all the excitement confined to the beginning."

"It's disappointing to sit through a movie where the highlight is the initial 10 minutes, followed by two hours of uneventful content."

Therefore, in my opinion, Jerez truly deserves it because it epitomized MotoGP at its peak, reminiscent of those classic clashes and recent fights that we continue to passionately discuss.

"Clearly, when considering Marc's use of an older motorcycle, the limitations of that bike may not have been as noticeable at the time, especially when compared to the GP24."

"Even then, the GP23 wasn't considered an impressive setup. Considering it was only his fourth weekend riding it and he was competing with someone many believed would clinch the world championship, Marc truly deserves a lot of praise for his performance."

"As you mentioned, Jordan, it's a glimpse into what we're anticipating for next year, following on from Portugal's example."

"It contained all the necessary components: the syringe from Portugal, the uncertain future at that moment, and the anticipation of whether Marc would return to a leading position.

"I believe Jerez met all those expectations."

MotoGP Editor at Crash, Peter McLaren, believed a number of races warranted recognition while looking back at the standout events of 2024.

"Challenging, wouldn't you agree?" McLaren remarks.

Sepang is notably remembered due to all that was on the line, including the intense competition. However, the excitement was short-lived, only lasting until the initial phases. The common problems, such as tyre pressure among others, played a role.

In my opinion, the Misano races were highly dramatic, both of them, especially if you were in search of excitement. Reflecting on COTA, it might stand out as the event that interrupted Ducati's flawless season, considering how Maverick Vinales clinched that victory from 11th position, which was truly impressive.

"Another moment worth mentioning would be the Catalunya sprint. The event was filled with suspense, featuring five different leaders within just 12 laps, and at one point, three distinct motorcycle brands were at the forefront. However, Bagnaia experienced a fall, and shortly after declaring his retirement, Aleix Espargaro triumphed on his local circuit."

"Another moment that stands out to me comes to mind. However, I'd say it applies to all of those situations. I guess the competition at Le Mans was quite intense among the leading contenders and Marc Marquez too.

"We were somewhat let down by the mid-season races due to the lack of exciting moments, although there were instances of decent competition."

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Competitors of Aston Martin will rue the day they let Adrian Newey slip through their fingers.

"Victory is bound to happen eventually."

Lawrence Stroll has been recognized for outmaneuvering his major competitors in securing the services of Adrian Newey.

Newey is set to transition from Red Bull to Aston Martin in March, positioning him well to oversee their 2026 car development as the fresh F1 rules come into effect.

Newey's joining Aston Martin as a managing technical partner and shareholder enabled the company to outmaneuver Ferrari's interest.

"Lawrence Stroll has taken risks to grow his wealth," said Carig Slater of Sky Sports.

"How did Aston Martin manage to secure Newey before any other competitors could?"

Many key figures from rival teams, expected to pursue Newey, stated that they did not wish to engage in a financial battle to secure his services.

"Today, there seems to be a prevailing sense of regret among many for not having spent more money and pushed harder."

"At this point, it seems like achieving victory eventually is a foregone conclusion."

Ted Kravitz mentioned, "In my view, the other teams didn't display the same level of ingenuity as Lawrence Stroll did."

Which of the competing teams would have given Newey a stake in ownership – shares?

Ferrari was unlikely to offer him a stake in the company. Perhaps Williams might have considered it, but was Newey prepared for that challenge? McLaren certainly would not have.

"Mercedes? Toto Wolff and INEOS aren't looking to reduce their stakes to bring in Newey.

"Stroll possessed the adaptability and creativity that qualified him to be a leading partner within the team."

They might have proposed £30m or £40m, or a similar figure, but Lawrence was inventive.

"This phenomenon has been observed in various other athletic disciplines."

Slater mentioned, "By going through Newey's publication, it's clear it's a desire he's long held."

"If you're truly committed to acquiring him, figure out a method to succeed."

"I believe Stroll didn't relinquish a substantial portion of the team. It's possible to grant him shares without considerably reducing the ownership stake of the main shareholders."

"He took the necessary actions to secure his entry. In the end, he'll have the last laugh."

"The rest will rue missing out on this chance."

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

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Lewis Hamilton seeks a new beginning at Ferrari, leaving Bono behind at Mercedes

"Embarking on a significant change, such as the one Lewis Hamilton is undertaking, implies starting anew without bringing along your previous engineer or physiotherapist…"

1997 Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve thinks it's crucial for Lewis Hamilton to have a fresh start as he makes the move to Ferrari in the 2025 season.

For the first time, Hamilton is set to compete in the iconic Ferrari red during the Australian Grand Prix in March.

In his debut race with Ferrari, he will be missing his dependable race engineer, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington.

Bono won't be accompanying Hamilton in his move to Ferrari, indicating that for the first time since 2012, the seven-time world champion will work with a different race engineer.

The duo shares a strong bond, leading to Hamilton securing six world championships with Mercedes.

Bono popularized the widely loved term 'Hammertime'.

Bonnington has advanced to take on the position of head of race engineering at Mercedes.

Conversing with Governor Sport, Villeneuve shared his perspective on the benefits of beginning anew.

"Embarking on a significant change, as Lewis Hamilton is doing, signifies starting anew, which includes not bringing along your previous engineer or physio, such as Angela Cullen," he explained.

"He has achieved victories with McLaren and also with Mercedes, indicating there's no problem at all."

In early 2023, Hamilton experienced the departure of Angela Cullen, a crucial person in his close-knit team.

For several years while he was with Mercedes, Cullen served as Hamilton's physical therapist.

Villeneuve stated, "I'm clueless about the dynamics between Angela and Lewis. In my view, the driver always depends on their engineer, who becomes their closest confidant during a race weekend."

"The physiotherapist has always been someone the driver could depend on, fostering a sense of trust. They are included in the tight-knit circle of confidants the driver turns to for support."

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Aston Martin's competitors might come to regret not hiring Adrian Newey. "Eventually, the outcome will be victory."

Lawrence Stroll is recognized for outpacing his major competitors in securing Adrian Newey's contract.

In March, Newey is set to leave Red Bull and join Aston Martin, allowing him plenty of time to oversee the development of their 2026 car as the new F1 regulations come into effect.

When Newey joined Aston Martin as both a managing technical partner and a shareholder, it enabled the company to fend off Ferrari's interest.

"According to Carig Slater from Sky Sports, Lawrence Stroll has invested with the expectation of gaining returns."

"How did Aston Martin manage to secure Newey before other potential contenders?"

Many key figures from other teams, who were expected to pursue Newey, expressed that they did not want to engage in a competitive bidding process for his expertise.

"Today, it seems that many people wish they had spent more money and pushed harder to make things happen."

"It seems that, right now, achieving victory at some point appears to be unavoidable."

Ted Kravitz commented: "In my opinion, the other teams did not show the same level of ingenuity as Lawrence Stroll demonstrated."

"Which other teams would have given Newey an equity stake in the company?"

Ferrari was unlikely to offer him any shares. Williams might have considered it, but was Newey interested in facing that challenge? As for McLaren, they wouldn't have provided shares either.

"Toto Wolff and INEOS are not interested in reducing their ownership stake in Mercedes to secure Newey."

Stroll possessed the adaptability and creativity needed to become a high-level partner within the team.

"They might have proposed £30 million or £40 million, or any amount, but Lawrence was innovative."

"This is something we've observed in different sports."

Slater mentioned that if you've read Newey's book, you're aware that this is something he has desired.

"If you're truly committed to acquiring him, figure out how to make it happen."

"I believe Stroll retained most of his stake in the team. It's possible to make him a shareholder without greatly reducing the shares of the main stakeholders."

"He accomplished what was necessary to secure his position. Ultimately, he'll be the one enjoying the outcome."

"Those who missed this chance will eventually wish they hadn't."

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Lewis Hamilton requires a "new beginning" at Ferrari, while Bono remains with Mercedes.

"Transitioning to a new team like Hamilton is involves starting over, which means leaving behind your previous engineer and physiotherapist…"

Jacques Villeneuve, the F1 world champion from 1997, thinks that Lewis Hamilton should "begin anew" when he joins Ferrari for the 2025 season.

Hamilton is set to debut in Ferrari's iconic red at the Australian Grand Prix in March.

During his debut with Ferrari, he will not have the support of his reliable race engineer, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington.

Bono won't be joining Hamilton at Ferrari, which means the seven-time world champion will experience working with a new race engineer for the first time since 2012.

The duo shares a strong bond, leading to Hamilton securing six world championships with Mercedes.

Bono additionally coined the popular term ‘Hammertime’ that fans love.

Bonnington has been elevated to a new position as the head of race engineering at Mercedes.

In an interview with Governor Sport, Villeneuve discussed the advantages of beginning entirely anew.

"When you make a significant change, as Lewis Hamilton is doing, it means you begin anew without bringing along your previous team members, such as your former engineer or physiotherapist like Angela Cullen," he stated.

"He has achieved victories driving for both McLaren and Mercedes, so that's not a concern."

In early 2023, Hamilton parted ways with Angela Cullen, an important figure in his close-knit team.

For several years, Cullen served as Hamilton's physiotherapist while he was with the Mercedes team.

Villeneuve stated: "I’m not sure about the dynamics between Angela and Lewis. In my experience, drivers typically depend on their engineers, who are the individuals closest to them during a race weekend."

"The driver consistently relied on this individual, fostering trust in the process. The physiotherapist belongs to the select group of trusted individuals whom the driver depends on."

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Jorge Martin acknowledges three MotoGP competitors who improved his performance in the 2024 championship race. He remarked, "If it wasn't one of them winning, it was the other who had the chance to take the victory…"

Jorge Martin has acknowledged that his top three competitors in the MotoGP championship have played a significant role in improving his skills as he clinched the 2024 world title.

Martin clinched his inaugural premier class championship in a fiercely contested battle that stretched to the final moments, ultimately securing victory by a margin of 10 points over his rivals. The former Pramac team member emerged as the champion.

The Spanish racer made history by being the first rider from an independent team to clinch the championship in the current era, marking Ducati's third world champion following victories by Francesco Bagnaia and Casey Stoner.

Report: Initial Indications of Promise in Jorge Martin's First Aprilia MotoGP Test

During the final part of the 2024 season, Martin and Bagnaia stood out as the leading contenders. Bagnaia clinched victory in 11 grand prix races, while the rider who ultimately became the world champion secured three wins throughout the season.

On several occasions, Martin found himself in direct competition with Gresni's Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini, a factory Ducati racer, both of whom finished in the top four of the standings, just behind the leading pair.

"Martin expressed that Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini have all contributed to his improvement as a rider, pushing him to put forth his maximum effort."

"When one wasn't on the brink of victory, the other was, and I was always in the mix, which ultimately made the difference."

"The title was extremely challenging to secure, as we set a new historic points record, indicating just how competitive the event was, making our victory over them truly remarkable."

Martin has stated that after his world championship victory, he defeated "the best version" of both Bagnaia and Marquez in 2024.

In 2025, the current champion will switch to Aprilia for his attempt to defend his title. This move comes after Ducati reversed an earlier decision this year, opting to elevate Martin to its main team instead of choosing Marquez.

So far, Martin has not announced whether he will use the number one plate.

During last month's post-season test in Barcelona, when Martin first rode the RS-GP, he used his usual number 89 on his bike.

In 2025, Bastianini will depart from Ducati as he accepts an opportunity to join KTM, where he will compete for the Tech3 team alongside Maverick Vinales, who previously rode for Aprilia.

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New Aprilia Technical Director Clarifies Departure from KTM: “Compatibility Issues Arose”

Fabiano Sterlacchini appointed as Aprilia's technical leader

Fabiano Strelacchini, the newly appointed technical director at Aprilia, stated that his departure from his MotoGP position at KTM was a decision reached by both parties. He noted that the move came after realizing there was no longer strong alignment between them.

Having spent a significant amount of time at Ducati, Sterlacchini departed to become part of the KTM initiative in June 2021.

By the summer of this year, Sterlacchini had departed from his position with the Austrian company and was introduced as Aprilia's new technical director during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

He takes over the position from Romano Albesiano, who is moving to Honda after playing a crucial role in guiding Aprilia from their return to MotoGP in 2015, when they were at the back of the pack, to achieving their first race victories.

In an interview with TG Regione Marche, Sterlacchini discussed his choice to part ways with KTM, mentioning that logistics played a role in his decision, although he was aware of this factor from the beginning.

"There were reasons behind the decision; once it became clear that there was no longer significant compatibility, both parties mutually agreed to it."

At the conclusion of the racing season, Sterlacchini took on his new position with Aprilia, marking a significant shift for the Italian company. This change is accompanied by a new roster of riders.

Aprilia is excited to have 2024 world champion Jorge Martin join their factory team, partnering with Marco Bezzecchi. Meanwhile, newcomer Ai Ogura advances to compete for Trackhouse.

Following the initial trial with the new team in Barcelona last month, Sterlacchini remarked, "Things are progressing quite smoothly."

"The first strategies adopted by Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi were quite promising."

"They demonstrated several impressive features of the bicycle."

"Clearly, there will be areas that require improvement, but interacting with these two riders will provide us with a benchmark to assess our current standing and identify the areas that need our attention."

"Both riders hail from extremely fast bikes, and notably, Jorge is the current world champion."

In 2024, Maverick Vinales secured a grand prix victory in America for Aprilia, making it the only other manufacturer besides Ducati to achieve such a feat that year.

However, a decline in performance for the RS-GP during the latter part of the season led Aprilia to fall to third place in the manufacturers' rankings, trailing behind KTM.

The rider who achieved the best position in the championship for the team was Vinales, who will transfer to KTM in 2025, finishing in seventh place.

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