Why Gigi Dall’Igna Instills Confidence in Ducati MotoGP Riders

"He provides straightforward backing for us riders"

Alex Marquez has expressed that Gigi Dall’Igna, the general manager of Ducati, instills a significant amount of confidence in them due to his thorough oversight of all aspects concerning the brand’s MotoGP motorcycle.

At the close of 2013, Dall’Igna, known for his technical expertise, was appointed as the general manager of Ducati. At that time, the Italian brand was experiencing its lowest point in the top-tier racing category.

In the years that followed, Dall’Igna played a key role in transforming Ducati into a consistent presence on the podium and a frequent race victor, ultimately turning the brand into a dominant power in MotoGP.

Ducati has claimed victory in the last three riders' championships, and in 2024, it reached peak dominance by securing 19 out of 20 grand prix wins.

Since switching from Honda to Gresini in 2023, Alex Marquez has been associated with Ducati. He shared insights on why Dall’Igna has become a valuable supporter for the riders.

"Marquez mentioned during a recent Estrella Galicia event that he provides strong guidance for the riders, which boosts their confidence significantly."

"He's incredibly helpful. Regardless of how minor the issue may be, he addresses it promptly and connects you with the right people to assist."

"You receive numerous references concerning the issues faced by brand colleagues or the types of tires utilized."

"They fully utilize the work and efforts of others."

"They provide the necessary insights to help you see what strategies are effective for others, but they don't dictate your actions. It's then up to each individual, along with their crew chief, to choose their own path forward."

Ducati will have fewer motorcycles on the 2025 MotoGP grid, decreasing from eight to six, after Pramac decided to switch to Yamaha starting next year.

Just three factory GP25 motorcycles will be available for Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and VR46 team member Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Alex Marquez is set to ride a GP24, joining forces with Fermin Aldeguer at Gresini, while Franco Morbidelli will be part of the VR46 team.

Dall’Igna recently mentioned that having fewer bikes won't significantly impact Ducati. However, he acknowledged that the more competitive teams from rival manufacturers will present greater challenges in 2025.

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Trevathan: No other KTM MotoGP competitors can match Acosta's capabilities on his motorcycle.

"While others settle for 90% effort, Acosta pushes himself to achieve that additional 10%."

Paul Trevathan, the crew chief for Pedro Acosta, expressed his opinion that other MotoGP racers from KTM would not be able to replicate the performance Acosta achieves on his motorcycle.

In his debut season in 2024, Acosta quickly stood out on the MotoGP circuit by securing nine podium finishes in both sprint and grand prix races.

Last season, a 20-year-old racer for Tech3 narrowly missed surpassing KTM's experienced rider Brad Binder, finishing just two points behind and securing sixth place in the standings. This achievement represents the best performance by a rookie in the championship since Fabio Quartararo's impressive debut in 2019.

Explore further: A deeper look into Pedro Acosta's first year as a

In 2025, Acosta is set to join KTM's official team, where he will compete alongside Binder.

During the year 2024, Acosta consistently succeeded in getting better performance from the RC16 package compared to other KTM riders. Trevathan highlighted the Spaniard's adaptability as one of his main strengths.

In a special conversation with Crash.net, Trevathan was questioned about how Acosta stacks up against the other KTM riders. He responded by saying, "Take other riders, for instance; even if they used his bike with the identical setup, they wouldn't be able to replicate his performance."

"He could likely hop onto their bike and do the same thing with ease, thanks to his adaptability."

Trevathan attributes this to Acosta's self-perception as a motorcycle racer instead of a general athlete, leading him to tailor his training regimen towards various motorcycle sports.

"He frequently rides, and I value that because he views himself not as an athlete but as someone who rides motorcycles," he mentioned.

"He’s not interested in marathon running or pursuing a career in professional cycling. His passion lies in riding motorcycles, focusing his training and knowledge on how to achieve speed on a bike."

"He engages in a variety of disciplines while riding, constantly adjusting to new challenges. This flexibility translates to the race track, where he can perform well even if the bike isn’t flawless."

He believes the bike will never reach perfection, which allows him to continuously make improvements to it.

"This aspect is amazing. For a technician, it's great to have this tool handy; you only need to put in 90%, and he'll manage to extract the remaining 10%."

Ultimately, it's crucial to avoid making mistakes, allowing him to handle everything else. However, when it comes to development or similar areas, you might encounter obstacles. This is exemplified by the situation with Honda and Marc Marquez, where an individual's unique talent can elevate things to a level others cannot reach.

"Once you lose that skill, the bike starts to appear ordinary. This situation is challenging for the company to comprehend fully."

"This aspect of him is truly one-of-a-kind in the current world. Additionally, his composure in the penalty area is remarkable; he has never appeared flustered."

"I'm certain that during his in-laps, there's been quite a bit of cursing and swearing, as he's known for being quite expressive. However, his level of professionalism in the garage is truly exceptional."

"He never blames anyone for anything. There's this narrative that we rarely adjust the bike, and it's accurate. However, the reality is that I've often mentioned, 'Hey, I'm present and ready to go.'"

"He mentioned, 'Sure, but I'll ask for your help when I need it. Let me try handling things on my own first.' This highlights the learning experience we face as a company, and it's something I've encountered personally as a technician. It's about figuring out whether the improvements, like gaining half a second between sessions, are due to changes I've made or if they're a result of the rider's efforts."

Ultimately, you're just opposing one another. It's more effective to say, "Alright, go ahead with your plan, and if things go wrong, come back and inform me."

"We're collaborating in this manner, and it's incredibly pleasant."

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Alex Rins shares fascinating details about Yamaha's V4 MotoGP testing

The Spanish motorcyclist discussed the trials of the V4.

Alex Rins disclosed that Yamaha intended to trial its new V4 MotoGP engine this month; however, they had to scrap these plans because the engine was not prepared.

At the start of this year, Yamaha announced that it was developing a V4 engine for the first time during its time in MotoGP, after having consistently used an inline-four engine throughout the current era.

Transitioning to a V4 engine will align it with its competitors, but there is currently no specific schedule for when this engine might compete in races.

During an appearance on the Spanish version of motorsport.com's podcast, Rins shared an interesting piece of information that suggests the current development phase of the new V4.

Rins mentioned that the plan was to try it out during the private test conducted by KTM in Jerez earlier in December.

“Ultimately, it was incomplete and unavailable for testing.”

The podcast mentioned that Andrea Dovizioso was scheduled to conduct tests on the V4 at Jerez, provided the unit was prepared in time.

Yamaha's upcoming chance to experiment with their new V4 engine will be during the Sepang shakedown, as no further testing is scheduled until late January.

In a one-on-one discussion with Crash.net, Max Bartolini, Yamaha's head of technical operations, detailed the specific objectives the Japanese company aims to achieve by transitioning to a V4 engine.

"Starting with the V4, the engine is what everyone typically considers," he stated.

"However, I believe the primary benefit comes from the bike's design rather than its engine."

According to our engine team, there shouldn't be a significant difference when it comes to sheer power.

"There are certain methods to adjust the bike's setup that will be somewhat simpler with the V4. Additionally, it's about aligning more with the needs of the tyres, as ensuring the tyres perform well is always crucial."

According to reports, Yamaha performed well when paired with Bridgestone. They have also had several successful races using Michelin tires. However, Michelin tends to focus more on utilizing the rear tires rather than the front ones.

The V4 engine configuration offers an advantage by allowing the motorcycle to be designed with a focus on the rear tire's alignment. This presents a particular challenge.

"Frankly, creating the V4 engine is a challenging task, yet I believe it's even more crucial to design the motorcycle to complement the V4 engine."

Bartolini mentioned that there is no certainty about racing the V4 at any time next season.

As a company with concession status, Yamaha, along with Honda, has the ability to implement new engine designs in the 2025 season, which their competitors are not permitted to do.

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Lewis Hamilton Receives Cautionary Message Regarding Michael Schumacher’s Last Formula 1 Competitions

"Hamilton Takes Another Risk with Ferrari"

Lewis Hamilton has been warned that finishing his Formula 1 career on a high note isn't assured, as even Michael Schumacher couldn't achieve it.

David Coulthard has conveyed the disappointing news that Hamilton's switch to Ferrari may not yield the results he is anticipating.

In 2025, Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari, aiming to secure his record-breaking eighth Formula 1 championship.

He would surpass Schumacher, who had returned from retirement for a three-year period with Mercedes but did not manage to secure another grand prix victory during that time.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Coulthard stated, "Lewis Hamilton is not the sole focus of Mercedes, and Hamilton himself has expressed that he is not solely dedicated to the team."

Similarly, when Michael returned from retirement to join Mercedes, it was hard to picture him as anything other than a legendary figure associated with Ferrari.

However, the appeal of returning to Mercedes, coupled with his confidence and determination that he could still succeed, drew him back.

"He spent a few years there and performed decently, but it wasn't quite like his initial experience in Formula 1."

Former Formula 1 racer Coulthard commented, "Lewis is taking another gamble with Ferrari."

"This could potentially result in a revitalization of his performance and a battle for the world championship title. However, it will be difficult as he needs to overcome the speed of Charles Leclerc."

The pairing of Hamilton and Leclerc in Ferrari's revamped team is astonishing in theory.

However, Coulthard is concerned that Hamilton may not be able to surpass Leclerc, especially since he has been consistently outperformed in qualifying by his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, throughout the year.

According to Coulthard, a crucial element shared by all the legends throughout history is their ability to qualify and compete in races.

"If Lewis, who is now 40, has slowed down in his football abilities, he might find it challenging to outperform Charles throughout the year."

"That's a valid question that people ought to be asking, but it's his responsibility to provide the answer."

"The responsibility is his, and it's not our place to belittle him or claim he's incapable."

"Each of these individuals has the power to determine their own future."

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For ten years, James worked as a sports journalist at Sky Sports, reporting on a wide range of events including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Fernando Alonso's determination to compete for a championship at the age of 45 is set to be challenged. "Adrian mentioned that it comes down to mental determination."

It has been proposed that Fernando Alonso needs to conquer the mental determination necessary to secure another F1 championship victory.

Fernando Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, stands to gain from collaborating with Adrian Newey as he approaches the final phase of his Formula 1 career.

Currently 43 years old, Alonso unexpectedly sees a chance to enhance his collection of titles beyond the two he secured with Renault.

He has a contract with Aston Martin that lasts until the conclusion of 2026. This will be the inaugural season in which he will drive a car entirely developed by Newey, who is set to join the team.

"Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz remarked that nothing is out of the realm of possibility."

Fernando Alonso will be 44 years old when Adrian initially begins to make an impact. By the time he gets behind the wheel of the first car designed by Newey and competes for the championship, he will be 45.

I inquired with Newey regarding this topic. Adrian mentioned that it largely depends on mental determination. If you still have the speed, but your mind grows weary, you eventually lose the desire to continue.

"If Fernando can defy those expectations and desires to continue, there's no reason preventing him from doing so."

"Could Fernando secure a third championship title at the age of 45? It's possible he might achieve that elusive 33rd victory in 2025 with a car shaped by Newey's expertise."

Both Newey and Alonso have expressed interest in collaborating with one another throughout the years.

Although they nearly ended up on the same team at Red Bull, Alonso ultimately decided not to join the initiative that would eventually lead to championship victories for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, despite having discussions.

Ted Kravitz recalled that Paul Monaghan, who is currently with Red Bull, used to serve as the race engineer for Fernando Alonso when they were both at Renault.

"He played a significant role in persuading Fernando to join Red Bull in 2009."

"He was nearly there, yet ultimately, it wasn't meant to be."

Starting in March, Alonso will partner with Newey, who he considers his ideal collaborator.

However, he needs to overcome the challenges posed by his age to completely benefit from Newey's exceptional car design skills.

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Marc Marquez credits the Gresini MotoGP team for playing a pivotal role in his career

The eight-time world champion highlights the significant impact Gresini had on his 2024 season

Marc Marquez mentioned that his season spent with Gresini Racing in MotoGP reignited his enthusiasm for motorcycle racing, comparing the team's spirit to the vibe found in a Moto2 team.

The Spanish racer made a significant gamble with his career by choosing to leave the factory Honda team a year ahead of schedule, at the close of 2023, in order to join Gresini's team and ride a GP23 Ducati in the previous season.

Marquez shifted gears to see if he still had the speed for MotoGP and if he could find joy in it again, following four challenging years since 2020, when an arm injury significantly impacted his career.

The eight-time global champion secured victories in three Grand Prix races, his first wins since 2021, and subsequently clinched a factory Ducati deal for the 2025 season.

In a conversation with journalists, among them Crash.net, during the season's last event, Marquez shared that his experience with Gresini reignited his love for the sport.

"He mentioned that being a part of a satellite team somewhat reignited his enthusiasm for motorcycles."

"Obviously, during my time at Honda, I was fortunate to have comrades and an excellent team of people around me."

"However, the reality remains that being part of a factory team adds a layer of seriousness to the situation."

"This version is definitely more relaxed and friendly. It brings to mind, albeit differently, the atmosphere of a Moto2 team I was part of – where conversing with the team leader was the norm."

Therefore, for those in charge of making the ultimate choices, you have the option to approach Nadia Padovani. You can discuss with her, expressing your thoughts, and she will respond, 'Alright, we can proceed'.

"Undoubtedly, the key aspect is their possession of the bicycle."

"With a capable satellite team and a strong motorcycle, remarkable achievements are possible, just as I experienced this year, mirroring the success of riders in prior years with Gresini."

"They possess a vast history and extensive experience in handling various types of scenarios."

Last week, Marquez announced his transition to the factory Ducati team, which will conclude his individual sponsorship with Red Bull. However, he is not expected to join forces with Monster Energy.

Recently, Crash.net had the opportunity to speak with Frankie Carchedi, Marquez's crew chief for 2024, in an exclusive episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, available for listening below.

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Why Gresini's MotoGP Team, Reminiscent of Moto2, Was Vital for Marc Marquez

The eight-time global champion shares how Gresini significantly propelled him forward in 2024

Marc Marquez expressed that his season with Gresini Racing in MotoGP reignited his enthusiasm for motorcycle racing, comparing the team's ambiance to that of a Moto2 squad.

In a bold career move, the Spanish rider decided to leave the factory Honda team a year ahead of schedule at the conclusion of 2023, opting instead to join Gresini's team and race with a GP23 Ducati last season as his performance started to decline.

Marquez decided to see if he could maintain his speed in MotoGP and still find joy in it, following a challenging four-year period starting in 2020 due to a significant arm injury that impacted his career.

The eight-time global champion secured triumphs in three grand prix events, achieving his initial wins since 2021, and subsequently landed a factory Ducati deal for 2025.

In a conversation with the press, which included Crash.net, during the season's last race, Marquez mentioned that collaborating with Gresini reignited his "love" for the sport.

"Being part of a satellite team reignited my enthusiasm for motorcycles," he shared.

Certainly, at Honda, as you're aware, I was fortunate to have companions and a truly excellent team of people.

"However, the reality is that being part of a factory team entails a more serious commitment."

"This version feels more relaxed and approachable, evoking memories of a time with a Moto2 team in a different sense, particularly in how you'd communicate directly with the team leader."

"Therefore, those in charge of making the ultimate choices, in this instance, you can approach Nadia [Padovani] and have a conversation with her. You can express your thoughts, and she'll respond, 'Alright, we can proceed.'"

"Undoubtedly, the key aspect is their possession of the bicycle."

"With a competent satellite team and a high-quality motorcycle, impressive achievements are possible, just as I experienced this year, similar to what other racers accomplished in past years with Gresini."

"They possess an extensive background and considerable expertise in handling a variety of circumstances."

Last week, Marquez announced his decision to join the factory Ducati team, which will result in the termination of his individual sponsorship deal with Red Bull. However, he does not plan to become a sponsored athlete of Monster Energy.

Recently, Crash.net had a discussion with Frankie Carchedi, the crew chief for Marquez's team in 2024, in a unique episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, accessible below.

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Vinales Sheds Light on Aprilia’s Odd Tendency in Recent MotoGP Seasons

‘Grasping It Was Challenging’

Maverick Vinales has shared insights into an odd aspect of his time racing for Aprilia in MotoGP, pointing out that the latter half of the season consistently posed challenges for the RS-GP.

The Spanish rider teamed up with Aprilia towards the end of the 2021 season after parting ways with Yamaha under tense circumstances. He then completed three entire seasons with the Italian manufacturer, concluding at the close of 2024.

Vinales secured his inaugural and sole victory at the Grand Prix level aboard the RS-GP during the 2024 Americas GP, following an impressive performance in the prior round held in Portugal.

Later on, he confessed that both he and Aprilia were puzzled by their unexpected speed during that stage of the championship.

Vinales pointed out that it wasn't just in America where he felt at his peak with the Aprilia; he mentioned that during his tenure, the performance of the RS-GP consistently dipped in the latter part of the season.

"Last month in Barcelona, he mentioned experiencing a strong sense of achievement during several races."

"At Le Mans '23, I experienced a crash. However, I'm confident that race could have been another victory for me, without a doubt. There were also several other races where I had a very positive vibe."

"The motorcycle demonstrated considerable promise during certain segments of the competition, yet from my experience over the years with Aprilia, a recurring challenge was the latter half of the season, which proved to be quite tough for all Aprilia riders."

"It's challenging to grasp since we usually perform well on these tracks. However, when we enter the latter half of the season, it consistently becomes tough."

During the initial 10 races of the 2024 season, the Aprilia factory team secured three sprint race victories, one grand prix win, and finished in the top five in four of the Sunday races.

Over the past 10 races, it achieved only two top-three finishes in sprints and a single top-five placement in a Grand Prix, dropping to third place in the team rankings, behind KTM – the team Vinales will be joining in 2025 through the Tech3 squad.

Vinales suggests that Aprilia started each season at the peak performance of their bike, whereas their competitors improved and performed better as the year progressed.

"When questioned about the reasons behind this pattern, he replied, 'I'm not sure, as we've attempted every possible solution.'"

"We altered the swingarms, the chassis, and everything else in an attempt to comprehend the issue at hand."

"However, my perspective is that we began at our peak while others initially faced some difficulties adapting to the new bike, and then they progressed further."

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Vinales Sheds Light on Aprilia's Unusual Tendency in Recent MotoGP Seasons

'Grasping it was challenging'

Maverick Vinales has shared his thoughts on an unusual aspect of his time at Aprilia in MotoGP, pointing out that the "latter half of the season always proved to be quite challenging" for the RS-GP.

The Spanish rider switched to Aprilia toward the end of the 2021 season after a contentious departure from Yamaha, completing three entire seasons with the Italian manufacturer through to the conclusion of 2024.

In 2024, Vinales secured his maiden grand prix victory on the RS-GP at the Americas GP, following a commendable performance in the preceding Portugal round.

Later on, he conceded that both he and Aprilia were at a loss to explain their exceptional speed during that stage of the competition.

Vinales observed that his peak performance on the Aprilia wasn't exclusive to his time in America, mentioning that during his tenure, the RS-GP consistently experienced a decline in performance as the year progressed into its latter half.

"Last month in Barcelona, he mentioned experiencing a strong sense of satisfaction during several races."

"At Le Mans '23, I experienced a crash. However, I firmly believe that race had the potential for a win. There were also several other races where I felt particularly confident.

"The motorcycle demonstrated significant promise during certain stages of the championship, yet from my experience with Aprilia over the years, the latter half of the season consistently proved to be a challenging period for all the Aprilia bikes.

"It's perplexing because we usually perform well on these tracks. However, entering the latter half of the championship season, challenges always seem to arise."

During the initial 10 races of the 2024 season, Aprilia's official team secured victories in three sprints, triumphed in one grand prix, and finished among the top five in four Sunday races.

Over the previous 10 races, it secured only two podium finishes in sprints and a single top-five placement in a grand prix, dropping to third place in the constructors' rankings, behind KTM. Vinales is set to join KTM in 2025 with the Tech3 squad.

Vinales suggests that the explanation lies in Aprilia starting each season at the peak of the bike's performance, whereas their competitors improved as the year progressed.

"When questioned about the reasons behind this trend, he expressed uncertainty, stating, 'We've attempted every possible solution.'"

"We modified the swingarms, the frame, and all other components in an effort to grasp the root of the issue."

"Perhaps my perspective is that we began at our peak performance, while the others initially found it challenging to adapt to the new bike, before they eventually made progress."

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Title: The Significance of the Gresini MotoGP Team for Marc Marquez, Comparable to Moto2

Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez discusses the pivotal support he received from the Gresini team in 2024.

Marc Marquez expressed that his time racing with Gresini Racing in MotoGP rekindled his enthusiasm for motorcycles. He compared the team's environment to that of a Moto2 team.

The Spanish rider made a significant career gamble as his performance started to decline, deciding to leave the factory Honda team one year ahead of schedule at the conclusion of 2023. He switched to a GP23 Ducati with the Gresini team last season.

Marquez decided to test if he could still perform at high speeds in MotoGP and find joy in the sport, following four challenging years since his significant arm injury in 2020.

The rider, who has claimed the world championship title eight times, secured three grand prix wins, marking his first triumphs since 2021, and secured a deal with the Ducati factory team for the 2025 season.

During the season's final round, Marquez shared with reporters, such as those from Crash.net, that partnering with Gresini reignited his "passion" for racing.

He compared being part of a satellite team to his enthusiasm for motorcycles.

Certainly, during my time at Honda, I had close friends there and worked with an excellent team of people.

"However, being part of a factory team means that everything becomes a bit more serious."

"In this situation, everything feels more laid-back and familiar. It brings to mind, albeit differently, my time with a Moto2 team, where I would have direct conversations with the team leader."

"The individuals responsible for making the ultimate decisions should approach Nadia Padovani. You can express your opinion to her, and she will respond with something like, 'Alright, we can proceed.'"

"Naturally, having the bicycle is the crucial aspect."

"A well-equipped satellite team can accomplish impressive results, as I experienced this year, similar to what other riders achieved in past years with Gresini."

"They possess extensive history and substantial experience in handling various situations."

Last week, Marquez announced that by joining the factory Ducati team, he will conclude his individual sponsorship with Red Bull, but he has no plans to sign with Monster Energy as a sponsor.

Crash.net recently had an interview with Frankie Carchedi, who will be Marquez's crew chief for 2024, to talk about the upcoming season. This conversation is featured in a special episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, which is available below.

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Christian Horner clarifies the decision to advance Liam Lawson ahead of Yuki Tsunoda within Red Bull.

Christian Horner mentioned that it was a closely contested decision for Red Bull to opt for Liam Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda for the F1 2025 season.

On Thursday, Red Bull revealed that Lawson would be stepping up from the affiliated team Racing Bulls to join Max Verstappen on the track in 2025, following the team's choice to part ways with Sergio Perez.

After participating in just 11 Grand Prix races across two years and not clearly surpassing his teammate Tsunoda, the 22-year-old driver from New Zealand was ultimately chosen as Red Bull's upcoming racer.

Horner clarified that the choice to elevate Lawson was determined by slight differences.

"Horner conveyed to ESPN that there was hardly any difference in performance between the two competitors."

Yuki is known for his speedy driving skills. With around three to four years of experience under his belt, he recently excelled in the tyre evaluation in Abu Dhabi, earning high praise from the engineering team for his performance.

When examining Liam's performance metrics, it's evident that his race speed has shown slight improvements. Upon comparing his qualifying speeds to Yuki's, they are remarkably close, indicating strong potential. Considering Liam has only participated in 11 Grand Prix events, it's reasonable to expect his performance to enhance further. He has demonstrated significant mental strength and determination.

Several aspects of Liam have really made an impression on me, notably his adaptability. No matter the circumstances, he rises to the occasion. Reflecting on his first race in Zandvoort, stepping in after Daniel suffered a finger injury, it's remarkable how he went toe-to-toe with Max right from his very first lap.

He possesses the tough, determined mindset of a racer. After spending a year in the DTM, he swiftly adapted to piloting a Ferrari GT car, competing alongside Alex Albon, where he often had the advantage.

"Once more, his skill in racing tactics stands out as a significant asset. He's willing to engage closely in races, even to the point of contact if it's needed. I believe he's going to perform excellently for our team."

The engineering team has appreciated collaborating with him during this year's activities. He also demonstrates a strong commitment to his work. Therefore, it's wonderful to know that Yuki will continue to be a part of the Racing Bull environment next year. Moreover, he'll be ready to step in whenever needed.

Red Bull aims not to overly burden Lawson

As Verstappen's fifth collaborator at Red Bull, Lawson becomes his fourth new partner following Daniel Ricciardo's departure from the team at the conclusion of 2018.

Previous drivers Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez were let go because they couldn't match Verstappen's performance.

Horner has admitted that Lawson has a challenging job ahead in competing with Verstappen, recognized as the toughest assignment in F1, but he emphasized that Red Bull will ensure not to overwhelm their secondary driver with pressure.

"Horner emphasized the importance of not overwhelming him with expectations or allowing him to overburden himself, especially when he's up against the top driver of his era."

"In my opinion, he should essentially disregard the information regarding car 1's situation and concentrate solely on collaborating with his engineering team on their tasks. By doing their utmost, he should be in a good position. We aim to provide him with the necessary support in this endeavor."

"We're optimistic that next year, we can offer a vehicle that matches his needs as perfectly as it does for Max, and then we'll observe his performance."

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

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Vinales sheds light on an unusual aspect of Aprilia's recent MotoGP efforts

‘Comprehending it was challenging’

Maverick Vinales has commented on an unusual aspect of his time with Aprilia in MotoGP, observing that the RS-GP consistently faced significant challenges during the latter half of the season.

In the final part of the 2021 season, the Spanish rider became part of Aprilia after a contentious departure from Yamaha. He then completed three entire seasons with the Italian company, continuing until 2024.

In 2024, Vinales secured his solitary grand prix victory riding the RS-GP at the Americas GP, following an impressive performance in the prior race held in Portugal.

Nonetheless, he later confessed that both he and Aprilia are unsure about the reasons behind their high speed during that particular stage of the championship.

Vinales mentioned that the United States wasn't the only place where he felt at his peak with Aprilia. However, he observed that during his tenure, the RS-GP's performance consistently declined in the latter part of each year.

He mentioned in Barcelona last month that there were several races where he felt fantastic.

"In the 2023 Le Mans race, I had an accident. However, I believe that this race had the potential to be another victory for me. There were also other races where I felt really confident."

"The motorcycle demonstrated impressive capabilities during certain segments of the championship. However, a recurring issue throughout my time with Aprilia was that the latter half of the season proved to be quite challenging for all the Aprilia bikes."

"It's challenging to comprehend since these tracks usually work well for us. However, when we reach the latter half of the championship, things consistently become tough."

During the initial 10 rounds of the 2024 season, the factory Aprilia team secured three wins in sprint races, clinched a grand prix victory, and achieved top-five finishes on four Sundays.

Over the past ten races, the team only achieved two sprint podium finishes and secured a top five position in just one grand prix. This decline resulted in the team dropping to third place in the constructors' championship, falling behind KTM. Notably, Vinales is set to join KTM in 2025, aligning with the Tech3 team.

Vinales suggests that this was because Aprilia started each season with their bike already performing at its peak, whereas their competitors improved as the year progressed.

When questioned about the possible reasons behind this trend, he responded by saying, "I'm not sure, as we've exhausted all options."

"We modified the swingarms and chassis, among other components, in an effort to figure out the issue."

"Perhaps what I think happened is that we began at our peak performance, while others were having some difficulties with their new bikes, and then they improved."

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