Pascal Wehrlein disqualified from leading position in Paris Formula E race, both Mahindra vehicles fail to meet tyre pressure standards

Pascal Wehrlein has lost his pole position for the Formula E event in Paris on Saturday, following a ruling that both vehicles from the Mahindra team did not maintain the necessary tyre pressure minimum.

Wehrlein managed to surpass Nissan's Oliver Rowland, securing his second Formula E pole position at the Les Invalides circuit in Paris on a Saturday afternoon. However, due to a rule violation, he will start the race from the back of the grid.

Jerome d'Ambrosio, another team member who had secured the sixth position in qualifying, will also be moved to the back of the pack due to the violation.

Pascal Wehrlein has lost his pole position spot for the upcoming Formula E race in Paris on Saturday due to both Mahindra vehicles being found to have operated with tyre pressures below the mandated minimum level.

Wehrlein secured his second Formula E pole position at the Les Invalides circuit in Paris on a Saturday afternoon, surpassing Nissan's Oliver Rowland. However, due to a violation, he will be relegated to the back of the grid.

Jerome d'Ambrosio, who had secured the sixth position in the qualifiers, will also be relegated to the back of the pack due to the infraction.

This elevates Rowland to the top spot, while his Nissan colleague Sebastien Buemi secures a position next to him at the forefront of the starting lineup.

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Liberty Media faces a new challenge from the European Union regarding its acquisition of MotoGP. The EU is preparing to investigate the planned takeover.

Liberty Media's proposed acquisition of the MotoGP World Championship is facing scrutiny from the European Union, which plans to investigate the transaction.

According to reports from business networks Bloomberg and Reuters, the European Union's newly appointed antitrust leader, Teresa Ribera, along with her team, are concerned that the 3.5 billion euro agreement might hinder competition in the fields of broadcasting and streaming by consolidating the ownership of the MotoGP and F1 brands.

Earlier this year, the American corporation that owns Formula 1 revealed its decision to purchase Dorna Sports and MotoGP, securing an 86% majority stake. Following this announcement, Liberty Media has been working through the required regulatory procedures to finalize the acquisition by the end of the year.

In August, Liberty Media revealed its intention to sell $825 million worth of F1 shares to help finance its proposed purchase of MotoGP.

In November, the company's CEO, Greg Maffei, announced that the acquisition of MotoGP had been submitted to the European Commission for approval.

He mentioned, "Regarding MotoGP, we have submitted a request to the European Commission for regulatory approval, and we anticipate obtaining it by the end of the year."

The European Commission has a deadline of December 19th to decide on Liberty's acquisition of MotoGP. However, with recent developments, it is reported that authorities are getting ready to start a phase 2 investigation by the same deadline. This information, highlighted in a Bloomberg report, also notes that the decision is still preliminary and could be altered.

In 2006, CVC Capital acquired Formula 1 but was compelled by competition authorities to relinquish its stake in MotoGP. This move was due to concerns of monopolistic practices in the motorsport industry, leading to the sale of MotoGP to its current owner, Bridgepoint.

In October of this year, Belgian Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Pascal Arimont requested that the European Commission look into Liberty Media due to concerns that it may have a monopoly in global motorsport, given its ownership of Formula 1 and MotoGP.

Despite past challenges, Liberty has remained optimistic from the start that the outcome will be different this time. When Reuters contacted Liberty Media for a statement, the company did not provide a response at this time.

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VIDEO: Highlights from the Formula E Paris E-Prix

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MotoGP's Unwanted Award for 'Underachiever of the Year' Handed Out

Our specialists reveal the rider whose performance fell short of expectations in 2024

Everyone aims to avoid falling short of their potential.

Regrettably, during the 2024 MotoGP season, one competitor caught our attention by achieving far less than what we had expected.

In yet another season where Ducati took the lead, Marc Marquez showcased the potential of the GP23, but his fellow competitors struggled to keep up, highlighting his exceptional talent.

This led our specialists to consider which rider in MotoGP fell short of expectations the most this year…

Marco Bezzecchi was anticipated to be a persistent challenger to the leading contenders for the championship once more in 2024. In 2023, he secured victories in three grand prix events, ultimately finishing third in the rankings while representing VR46.

However, in 2024, he did not achieve that level of performance

A significant factor was the GP23's poor compatibility with his aggressive braking technique. Meanwhile, his teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, rode the identical motorcycle and led by 12 points in the rankings, even though he missed the last two races due to surgery.

Marco Bezzecchi now has a challenging task at Aprilia as an official team rider, competing against current world champion Jorge Martin.

Jordan Moreland highlights that Marco Bezzecchi delivered impressive performances throughout 2023, ultimately securing a position within the top three of the World Championship standings.

In 2024, his performance fell short as he was trailing by 239 points compared to Marc Marquez's leading GP23 score.

We are hopeful that he will enhance his performance with Aprilia in 2025.

Marco Bezzecchi, who finished just behind Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin last season with three Grand Prix victories, has surprisingly fallen to 12th place in this year's world championship standings, ranking last among Ducati riders.

His standout moment was reaching the podium in Jerez.

Following the signing of Bezzecchi for the 2025 season, Aprilia's Massimo Rivola commented, "In my opinion, the true Bezzecchi is the one we saw last year, not the version we've seen this year."

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McLaren Racing has secured an opportunity to join the FIA Formula E championship starting in the 2022-23 season, marking the beginning of the Gen3 era.

In its continuous review of possible new racing platforms, McLaren will dedicate the remainder of 2021 to contemplating participation before making a decision on whether to enter Formula E for its ninth season.

Currently, McLaren faces restrictions on participating as a team in Formula E due to McLaren Applied serving as the official supplier of batteries for the series. However, this limitation will be removed once their contract concludes at the end of the eighth season, paving the way for a possible entry into the competition.

Following the departure of Audi and BMW from Formula E after the 2021 season concludes, two openings have become available for the 2022-23 season. This upcoming season will also mark the debut of the Gen3 vehicle and the implementation of a budget limitation.

By entering into an option agreement with Formula E, McLaren secures a spot on the starting line should it choose to move forward.

"McLaren Racing's CEO, Zak Brown, mentioned that they have been carefully watching Formula E for a while now, keeping an eye on the series' development and what lies ahead."

"Having the chance to reserve a spot, coupled with the finalization of the contract between McLaren Applied and the FIA at the conclusion of Gen 2, provides us with ample time to determine whether Formula E aligns with McLaren's vision for a prospective competitive arena."

In addition to its Formula 1 activities, McLaren expanded its motorsports presence by participating in IndyCar starting in 2020 and has explored the possibility of competing in both the World Endurance Championship and IMSA.

"McLaren Racing's decision to acquire an option for participation in the Formula E grid starting with Gen3 underscores the persistent influence of our sport," Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag stated.

"We're excited to announce that McLaren Racing is considering joining Formula E, a competition that already features some of the most renowned figures in motorsport."

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix worldwide for Crash.net. He typically reports directly from the event, sharing the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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Marc Marquez shares his genuine feelings with Valentino Rossi about maintaining their ongoing rivalry

Marc Marquez reacts to Valentino Rossi's frustration

Marc Marquez has shared his thoughts on their ongoing conflict following Valentino Rossi's recent outburst.

Rossi has revived the wounds from their 2015 clash, criticizing Marquez for behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner and holding him responsible for Rossi's inability to clinch the MotoGP championship during that infamous season.

Rossi delivered harsh remarks just as Marquez was getting ready to join Ducati, where he would work with VR46 protégé Pecco Bagnaia.

Marquez has since issued a reply.

According to Marca, Marquez stated that a conflict cannot occur if one party is unwilling.

Trying to dampen the flames ignited by Rossi could be the perfect strategy as 2025 approaches.

Marquez needs to get used to the latest factory Ducati model after spending the previous season on an older version.

Marquez now has the same equipment as Bagnaia, and with Jorge Martin, the champion, getting used to the Aprilia, he can clearly see another MotoGP title on the horizon.

Marc Marquez stated, "I didn't question the decision; I simply asked where to sign." Looking back on a successful 2024, Marquez discussed his significant return to form following the accidents and injuries that plagued his last period with Honda.

He managed to remain a strong contender for the title until the final stages of the championships. His choice to move from Repsol Honda to Gresini Ducati helped him get back to winning races.

"When you suddenly encounter the negative aspects of sports, it transforms you unexpectedly," he explained.

"Sustaining an injury can lead you into a downward spiral, and you understand the potential consequences that might follow."

"After returning from an injury and feeling some discomfort, you realize that winning isn't the usual outcome. It's more common to finish in second or third place, or even lower, since for every victory, there are 20 losses."

This is why I appreciate winning now more than I did in the past.

"This year's team has provided an ideal setting for me to rejuvenate, allowing me to be present without any stress and to enjoy myself. Gresini, a team full of enthusiasm, was originally founded by Fausto and is currently managed by his wife along with dedicated long-term members. It is a satellite team that blends enthusiasm with expertise."

In sports, your current performance defines your value, based on your most recent competitions. I was beginning to excel, adjusting to the Ducati, and continuously improving.

"When I was informed that I had been selected, I didn't question the reasoning; I simply replied, 'Alright, where do I put my signature?' and that was the end of it."

Gigi Dall’Igna informed me, and I responded with appreciation, intending to ensure it's the appropriate choice.

Marquez likened teaming up with Bagnaia in the garage to a football analogy.

"He referred to Vinicius as the key player and the main figure for Real Madrid."

"After that, Mbappé will need to adjust."

Pecco has set the standard in the Ducati team, securing victory in 11 races this season. He contended for the World Championship right up to the final race and has twice claimed the world champion title with this team.

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Valencia is set to welcome its inaugural E-Prix in April, as the Formula E world championship unveils its upcoming series of races for the 2021 season.

Due to the swift proliferation of a new COVID-19 strain, FE had to modify its season seven schedule, as the dual-event in Santiago scheduled for December was delayed.

The fully electric racing series has confirmed that its two nighttime races in Saudi Arabia will proceed as scheduled at the end of next month. The opening races of the season are set for the 26th and 27th of February.

On Thursday, Formula E unveiled the upcoming series of seven races, which includes the inaugural competitive event in Valencia and the rearranged back-to-back races in Chile.

After a pause in the racing schedule during March, the 2021 season is set to resume with the Rome E-Prix on April 10, marking Italy's comeback to the series for the first time since 2019. Subsequently, Valencia will host its inaugural E-Prix on April 24.

The Ricardo Tormo Circuit has been the venue for pre-season trials over the last three years, yet the inaugural competitive event in Spain will occur on a newly designed track layout specifically for Formula E. This marks the first occasion in the series' history that it will compete on a fixed circuit.

Despite apprehensions about the feasibility of conducting the Monaco E-Prix during the ongoing health crisis, the fourth iteration of the biennial event in the Principality has received approval to proceed on May 8. This decision revitalizes the prospect of hosting the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix later in the month.

FE is set to travel to Morocco for its fifth Marrakesh E-Prix event scheduled for May 22, followed by the seventh and eighth rounds in Santiago on June 5-6.

The Sanya and the first-ever Seoul E-Prix races have been delayed, with a conclusive verdict on both races expected to be made upon the release of the rest of the season's schedule in early spring.

"FE CEO Jamie Reigle expressed the organization's dedication to presenting a global calendar that aligns with their inaugural season as a World Championship."

We are collaborating extensively with our partners, including teams, manufacturers, sponsors, broadcasters, and host cities, to adjust to changing external conditions and guarantee the well-being and safety of all participants.

"We are committed to preserving the essence of what makes Formula E beloved by its fans: the thrill of unpredictable races, the charm of racing in iconic cities, and the seamless integration of real and digital experiences, all driven by our commitment to a brighter future."

The possibility of hosting a race in Paris has been ruled out because of prevailing health and safety concerns, leading to a shift in focus towards reintegrating a French event into the Formula E schedule for the eighth season.

FE announced that it will keep a close eye on the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and maintain steady dialogue with its network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities.

Any changes to the calendar are contingent upon travel limitations, guidelines set by local authorities, and must receive the green light from the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Alberto Longo, co-founder of FE, stated, "Creating the championship schedule under 'normal' conditions is a considerable endeavor that involves months of planning and preparation, working alongside a variety of cities and stakeholders."

"The upcoming series of races highlights Formula E's ability to adapt to various circumstances while still putting together an exciting and challenging schedule for both teams and drivers."

"We persist in our efforts on the final series of competitions, striving to ensure that our inaugural season as an FIA World Championship meets both our standards and the anticipations of our supporters."

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

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Departing KTM CEO identifies specific issues from this year

KTM leader evaluates underwhelming performance in 2024

Francesco Guidotti has openly explained precisely how KTM faltered this season.

At the beginning of the season, KTM was expected to be Ducati's primary competitors, but they failed to secure a single victory throughout the year.

Brad Binder secured fifth place, while Pedro Acosta took sixth, emerging as the highest-ranked riders not on Ducati bikes in the MotoGP standings. However, their manufacturer was unable to provide them with a bike capable of winning races.

In a different scenario, Aprilia facilitated victories in sprint races for both Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales. Additionally, Vinales secured a grand prix win at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

Although Acosta showed exceptional talent from the beginning, the expectation that he would secure a victory did not materialize.

"We got off to a strong start with several riders making it to the podium. There were high hopes," stated Guidotti, the departing team leader.

"We set an ambitious goal and performed well up until the halfway point of the season."

"Starting around the middle of the season, we faced some difficulties. We followed a path that didn't work out well for us."

"The leading competitors showed slight progress, which widened the gap further."

"In the middle of the season, we experienced an unusual moment."

"That was the moment we missed the opportunity to remain among the leaders."

"The conduct of the riders was commendable; they remained persistent throughout. The technicians also maintained their determination. However, in reality, we were not competitive in the race."

Acosta showed significant potential by finishing in second place in Texas, but unfortunately, he endured eight challenging races without securing a spot on the podium.

Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez were consistently trailing their respective teammates.

"We needed to go back to the beginning of the film and play it from the start," Guidotti mentioned.

At the tail end of the season, KTM clearly emerged as the leading team. There were a few accidents and various incidents.

"On the whole, it's acceptable, although it's not our ideal situation. However, it's what we're dealing with for now."

"In the beginning of the year, we failed to take advantage of multiple opportunities, which ultimately led to our defeat."

Guidotti is set to step down from his role, with Aki Ajo taking over as the head of KTM's team in 2025.

"There must be. Numerous alterations are taking place," stated Guidotti.

Typically, alterations provide additional inspiration.

"As these transformations occur, we also sacrifice both expertise and a sense of connection."

"I'm confident that Aki will guide the team in his own way."

The roster of riders appears to be noticeably more robust.

Acosta has been elevated to join the factory team with Binder.

The Tech3 KTM team has announced that its lineup will include Enea Bastianini and Vinales.

KTM's concerns might stem from their financial challenges outside of the MotoGP arena.

The company has initiated self-administration following its first €3 billion release.

They assert that their MotoGP plans for 2025 remain unchanged, and they have scheduled tests to jumpstart their development for a strong beginning next year.

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'Difficult to Witness' – Sergio Perez Nearing Loss of Former F1 Competitor’s Esteem

Ex-F1 driver David Coulthard has criticized Sergio Perez, stating his "stubbornness in accepting the truth" is "difficult to witness."

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has expressed that he is on the verge of losing respect for Sergio Perez due to the manner in which Perez's future with Red Bull is being managed.

It is anticipated that the 34-year-old driver from Mexico will be removed from Red Bull’s racing team for the 2025 season due to underperformance, with the official news likely to be released before the Christmas holiday.

Following the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Red Bull convened an urgent meeting with the team's investors to deliberate on Perez's continued involvement.

Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive world title with a total of 437 points, whereas Perez amassed just 152 points, ending up in a disappointing eighth place in the rankings.

Perez's poor performance and inability to improve significantly contributed to Red Bull's fall to third in the constructors' standings, trailing behind McLaren and Ferrari, casting doubt on his continued presence in the team.

Even so, Perez has continually affirmed his commitment to race for Red Bull in 2025, referring to the agreement he holds for the upcoming season.

On the Formula For Success podcast, ex-Red Bull racer Coulthard expressed dissatisfaction with how Perez and his manager, Julian Jakobi, are managing the situation.

"Coulthard described Checo as a genuinely nice person, yet expressed frustration over the apparent denial of reality, suggesting it might be a tactic employed by his management."

Julian Jakobi acts as his manager, a person whom we have known and esteemed for numerous years; he's a smart, competent manager. However, his primary responsibility is to ensure the financial aspects are handled properly.

"Therefore, it seems the objective is to secure the largest possible settlement to encourage his voluntary departure, instead of simply stating, ‘Alright, we will fulfill our financial obligations to you for the upcoming year, but you won't be provided with a race car.’ This scenario is conceivable, yet it would be truly regrettable."

"My regard for Julian and Checo would diminish slightly.

Ultimately, the facts speak for themselves. Should there be a contract in place, naturally, it ought to be upheld through discussion.

"Hopefully, they can handle it maturely instead of taking it personally and resorting to legal action."

Speculation on exorbitant exit clause 'utterly unfounded'

Speculation has been rife about Perez seeking a hefty separation payment, believed to be around $20 million, from Red Bull to leave his position prematurely.

However, Red Bull's motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has firmly stated that such rumors are "utterly baseless."

"In his Speedweek column, Marko mentioned, “Much has been speculated in this regard. This includes unfounded rumors about potential transfer fees, which are utterly baseless.”

Marko mentioned that Red Bull plans to reveal their driver lineup for the upcoming year in the coming days.

Liam Lawson is considered the top contender to take over Perez's spot at Red Bull in the coming year.

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Aleix Espargaro, who recently stepped away from MotoGP racing, has revealed that he is now part of the Lidl-Trek professional cycling squad.

After ending his full-time career in MotoGP, Aleix Espargaro has become a member of the Lidl-Trek professional cycling team.

Starting January 1, 2025, Espargaro will take on a role as an ambassador for the Lidl-Trek team.

According to a statement from the team, Espargaro will participate in the Lidl-Trek team at several of the most renowned events on the schedule.

Espargaro expressed excitement about becoming part of the Lidl-Trek team, which includes some of the top cyclists globally.

"I am eager to gain knowledge from top cyclists and experienced staff, challenge myself, and involve fans in this unique experience."

Espargar, who has been passionate about cycling for many years, shared that he decided to leave his MotoGP racing career sooner than he had intended in order to become part of the Lidl-Trek team.

He expressed that cycling has long been a personal passion, and he chose to leave MotoGP sooner than he initially intended to participate in a program that perfectly matches his interests.

"I am incredibly thankful to Lidl-Trek for accepting me into their team and backing me. I am committed to putting in my utmost effort."

Espargaro revealed that he would step down from competing full-time in MotoGP at the Catalunya Grand Prix, which is his home race, this year.

In addition to his responsibilities with Lidl-Trek, Espargaro has taken on a new testing role for HRC's MotoGP project. He started this position during the official test in Barcelona last month, which occurred after the season-ending Solidarity Grand Prix.

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Davide Tardozzi criticizes Pecco Bagnaia: “Those competitors are defeating you”

“You can’t constantly act politely. It’s not always possible…”

A newly released three-part MotoGP series by Ducati showcases a rather intense exchange between Francesco Bagnaia and Davide Tardozzi.

The documentary series titled "Dream On: Ducati and Bagnaia’s Pursuit of Glory" aims to provide an insider's perspective on the concluding stages of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, specifically highlighting the Ducati Lenovo Team and their spotlight on Bagnaia.

A significant moment in the initial episode, released on Ducati's YouTube channel on December 15, occurs following the Sprint at the Thai Grand Prix.

Starting from pole position, Bagnaia found himself in third place after the initial corner as his championship competitor, Jorge Martin, overtook him on the inside approach to the first turn.

The Italian rider regained his place ahead of Martin as they exited the corner. However, later in the race, the Spaniard overtook him again during the transition from turn six to turn seven, pushing Bagnaia down to third place.

The scene takes place inside Bagnaia's truck following the Sprint event, featuring a conversation among Bagnaia, his wife, sister, press officer, and Davide Tardozzi, the manager of the Ducati Lenovo Team.

"Martin showed courage today," Tardozzi remarked to Bagnaia.

"The courage to take you down. […] He had already made up his mind to trouble you. He did what was necessary."

"That's your task for tomorrow. You can't constantly be the nice guy. It's not possible, especially when these guys are beating you."

According to the statement, Martin deliberately aimed for you at the initial turn, having premeditated his decision to collide with you. This is absolutely certain.

"You should stop being overly polite, as these individuals will take advantage of you."

Following a last-minute decision, which was highlighted in the initial episode of *Dream On*, Bagnaia's team altered his main bike to a wet setup. This strategic move allowed him to recover from the Sprint's setbacks and secure his first Grand Prix victory in the top category under rainy conditions.

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Lando Norris advised to confront Max Verstappen "more frequently" in the 2025 F1 season

Johnny Herbert advises Lando Norris on how to surpass Max Verstappen in the coming year

Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has advised Lando Norris to more frequently assert himself against Max Verstappen if he's vying for the championship next year.

In 2024, Norris experienced his most successful Formula 1 season to date, finishing in second place in the drivers' standings.

The UK racer secured four wins, contributing to McLaren's first Formula 1 constructors’ title since 1998.

Nonetheless, Norris found himself regretting several lost chances in the competition for the drivers' championship.

Subpar beginnings and intense battles on the track with Verstappen led to a significant loss of points, enabling the Dutch driver to secure the championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In a conversation with Coin Poker, Herbert discussed the strategies Norris must employ to compete against Verstappen.

"Herbert believes Norris should confront Verstappen with greater frequency," he remarked. "He's acknowledged that perhaps his top performance hasn't been consistent this year."

Based on what I've been told, he has come to terms with the fact that he now needs to make a change.

"This is an exciting time as numerous racers share the same mindset as Max. It will be fascinating to see who emerges as the leader next year."

"The upcoming season could be quite tumultuous, which is exactly the kind of intensity and competition you look for in Formula 1, combining aggressive tactics with rational strategies. Max really knows how to ramp up the tension for everyone involved."

Norris acknowledges the need for enhancement

Norris has candidly admitted that enhancing his performance next season is essential.

During the end-of-season FIA award ceremony, Norris acknowledged that Verstappen was the superior driver.

The McLaren competitor withdrew his comment about luck being the reason for his adversary's victory, after Verstappen managed to secure a win at the São Paulo Grand Prix starting from 17th position on the grid.

Norris showcased remarkable performance during the qualifying rounds, outperforming Piastri with a score of 20-4 on Saturdays. However, he is likely to be disheartened by several weak starts and less-than-ideal strategic decisions made by McLaren.

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