Charles Leclerc Criticizes Ferrari Teammate Carlos Sainz, Hints at Compliance Issues for F1 2024

Charles Leclerc has openly criticized his teammate Carlos Sainz by suggesting he is the sole person adhering to Ferrari's agreements, sending a clear message to the rest of the Formula 1

Charles Leclerc has criticized his Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz, after the F1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas.

The driver from Monaco unleashed an angry outburst filled with expletives directed at Ferrari after he ended up in fourth place, trailing Sainz and failing to secure a spot on the podium in Las Vegas.

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Leclerc was furious because Sainz passed him soon after the second set of pit stops, even though Ferrari had assured him that Sainz was instructed to remain behind him.

Leclerc has issued a caution to Sainz, who is set to depart from Ferrari for a move to Williams next season, stating that his focus will solely be on himself during the last two races. His aim is to surpass Lando Norris and secure the second spot in the drivers’ championship.

Leclerc expressed his dissatisfaction with Carlos, opting not to elaborate further, as reported by Sky Italia through PlanetF1.

The reason is that we discuss these matters prior to the race, yet I'm consistently the sole person who adheres to those agreements. Moving forward, I will focus solely on my own interests.

"It's unfortunate that I wasn't able to earn more points compared to Norris."

During a media session in Las Vegas, Leclerc explained, "I thought I was managing the situation well, but suddenly, from one corner to the next, my lap times dropped by three seconds, which was just unbelievable."

"That situation caught me off guard, leading to significant losses. However, we performed well on the Hard, although it only allowed us to secure third and fourth places."

Leclerc trails McLaren's Norris by 21 points in the drivers' championship, with only two races left in the season.

In the constructors' championship, Ferrari has reduced McLaren's lead to 24 points.

Lewis frequently travels to various international Grand Prix events as a correspondent for Crash.net. He typically provides on-the-scene coverage, sharing the narratives of key figures within the racing world.

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Fermin Aldeguer remarked, "Everything is amazing," referring to the ride height device that he used from the initial lap. He added, "Being the best newcomer is our goal, but it's important to remain composed and progress gradually."

During his first appearance in the premier class at the Barcelona test in 2025, MotoGP newcomer Fermin Aldeguer encountered several adjustments, including managing the ride-height mechanism on his Gresini Ducati.

A distinctive aspect of top-tier technology is the ability to lower the back end of the vehicle when coming out of certain slow turns.

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Aldeguer mentioned that he began utilizing it right from the initial lap, stating, "I need to make this an automatic habit."

"The initial attempt was intense because there were moments when I engaged it, but I didn't activate it properly by braking firmly enough. As a result, I found myself in the third corner with the bike still not upright!"

"I utilized it throughout each lap and ultimately ended up with a strong finish."

Aldeguer, a standout performer at the close of the 2023 Moto2 season despite securing only three victories, ended the test as the quickest newcomer, placing 20th overall and trailing his new teammate Alex Marquez by 1.761 seconds.

"The teenager, now part of the Gresini team previously associated with Marc Marquez and led by Frankie Carchedi, stated, 'Aiming to be the top rookie is our goal, but it's important to remain composed and progress gradually.'"

Alongside the ride height mechanism, Aldeguer had to familiarize himself with Michelin tires and carbon brakes while completing 58 laps on the championship-winning GP24.

He stated, "Today went really well as I felt amazing with the bike right from the first lap."

"The overall experience was astonishing, from the rapid acceleration to the impressive speed. However, the most significant aspect was the braking point. It’s remarkable how you can brake much later than expected and still bring the bike to a stop. Grasping this concept during the initial laps was quite challenging."

"The tires differ greatly from the Pirelli ones used in Moto2, but pinpointing the exact differences is challenging since the motorcycle itself is also distinct."

"Michelin's tyres have an asymmetrical design, allowing you to push more on the left side. However, the tyres might have been slightly cold, which caused me to lose grip at the front and crash. I need additional laps to gain a better understanding."

"I need to focus on refining my technique with the bike. It's too soon to concentrate on the settings; we'll evaluate the situation when we get to Sepang."

"The Ducati crew and my team were pleased."

Similar to other new entrants Somkiat Chantra and Ai Ogura, Aldeguer understands the importance of working out during the winter months.

He mentioned that he's generally feeling positive about his physical state, experiencing just a slight arm pump and recovering from hand surgery, but acknowledged that he needs to prepare more for enduring a long race.

The trio of newcomers will have the opportunity to participate in the Sepang shakedown test, commencing on January 31, prior to the official test.

For two decades, Peter has been a familiar presence in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in covering the story of Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Kimi Raikkonen's former Formula 1 number is set to make a comeback.

The racing number once used by Kimi Raikkonen will return to the Formula 1 scene in 2025.

The race number previously used by Kimi Raikkonen is set to return to Formula 1 in the upcoming year.

Jack Doohan has announced that he plans to adopt Raikkonen's iconic race number when he enters Formula 1 in 2025.

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Next season, the Australian will join the Alpine team as a driver, taking over from Esteban Ocon to line up alongside Pierre Gasly as his new partner. He will compete under the number 7 for his debut year.

The number that Raikkonen used from 2014 to 2021 is now open for other drivers to use, in accordance with F1 regulations. This availability comes after the 2007 world champion's retirement.

In 2019, Doohan competed in the Euroformula Open Championship with the number 7, but initially aimed to race with the number 12 in 2025.

Mercedes prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli has claimed this number.

"That's the decision. I'll be using the number seven for my race in 2025. I'm really excited," Doohan announced in a video released by Alpine.

"I was eager to choose a number I had used in previous races, one that held significance for me. In 2019, I competed with the number seven."

"Additionally, Kimi Raikkonen, who is one of my heroes and an exceptional individual and racer, used that number as well."

"I'm eager to carry on with it and put my personal touch on it. Hopefully, I'll also get some good fortune from the number seven."

At the Italian Grand Prix, Antonelli announced that he had selected the number 12 to be his permanent racing number in Formula 1. This decision comes as he is set to take over the spot of Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, at Mercedes.

"I'll go with the number 12," he commented. "I have several favorite numbers, but 12 holds a special place for me, partly due to someone I admire. I've been using it since F4, and it's always brought good fortune. So, I see no reason to switch it up for the coming year."

Lewis frequently travels internationally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He often provides on-the-scene reports, sharing the experiences and insights of key figures within the sport.

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"When Marc Marquez mentioned, 'I like the bike,' it was a huge relief for me."

"Witnessing the outcome of efforts that started several months back was an extraordinary feeling."

Senior executives at Ducati were greatly relieved by Marc Marquez's satisfaction with their 2025 model.

Opting to include Marquez in the Ducati factory squad for the next season resulted in the loss of Jorge Martin, Enea Bastianini, and Marco Bezzecchi. Additionally, the Pramac satellite team decided to depart as well.

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Ducati is taking a significant gamble by bringing Marquez on board for the next season.

"I'm not a technical expert, but the goal for the day was to hear his initial impressions," stated Ducati's sporting director, Mauro Grassilli, during the postseason MotoGP test, as reported by Marca.

When he got into the booth, his initial comment was, "I like the bike." Hearing that brought me a sense of relief.

"Right from the start, our goal was to include him as part of the team. We engaged in discussions with his agent to reach agreements on various aspects, including sponsorships."

"Experiencing the outcome of efforts that started several months back was an unparalleled feeling. Watching him on the track and having him with us in the pit box was a wonderful emotion."

Marquez's debut in red marked the beginning of his adventure with Pecco Bagnaia, the leading rider for the official Ducati team.

With identical equipment, the top motorcycle in MotoGP, both Bagnaia and Marquez are setting their sights on the championship for the upcoming year.

It increases the attention on how Ducati handles their goals.

However, the initial day with Bagnaia and Marquez sharing the same garage went smoothly and without any issues.

Grassilli mentioned that he observed them conversing and noticed that they were expressing their emotions to one another, both experiencing the same sentiments while cycling.

"They are both experts in their field, and while it might seem odd to emphasize that we already understood this, it aligns with our goals. We desire both riders to work collaboratively in enhancing the bike's performance and ensuring the team's success."

"On the first day, it wasn't something we expected, but witnessing them communicate and exchange ideas while having a clear and unified perspective on the bike was the initial acknowledgment of the efforts we are beginning to undertake."

"When the team's two key members, the riders, share the same goal, which is what we are striving for, I believe that although it may not always be straightforward, it will be a rewarding experience next year."

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Mercedes believes that their strong performance in Las Vegas may provide insights beneficial for the development of their Formula 1 car for the 2025 season.

Mercedes is confident that their unexpected superiority at the Las Vegas Grand Prix might provide insights for improving the consistency of their 2025 Formula 1 car.

Following a period of diminished competitiveness since their summer hiatus, Mercedes made a surprising comeback in Las Vegas. George Russell led the charge, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton, marking the team's first one-two finish since their success in Brazil in 2022.

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Mercedes secured their fourth victory of the season, marking their first triumph since the Belgian Grand Prix in late July. Team principal Toto Wolff believes that the cooler weather conditions in Las Vegas contributed to their impressive performance.

"It's chilly. Wolff clarified that you can easily see the connection to where we've had success."

"We performed well at Silverstone, showed strength at Spa, and again here in Las Vegas. The key is maintaining the car's performance and ensuring the tyres are in their ideal state."

"The text highlights the impressive speed of the car, noting that at certain points, particularly when George was accelerating, it was two seconds faster than the competitors. For the remainder of the day, he focused on maintaining a steady pace."

He explained: "Losing traction in hot conditions often causes you to slide around constantly. However, in this situation, losing traction was beneficial because it helped maintain the necessary temperature levels."

"There's a noticeable trend where certain teams excel and perform exceptionally well in cold conditions, while other teams have shown great strength in hot weather."

In Singapore, the McLaren team, for instance, had a commanding performance and managed the race according to their strategy. Therefore, achieving a balanced approach for the upcoming year is crucial.

Wolff expressed surprise that Mercedes managed to avoid the graining problems that affected some of their competitors, with Ferrari being a notable example.

"We had the ability to accelerate at will, with no issues related to tire graining on either the medium or hard compounds," he stated. "Charles made several efforts to challenge George, but George defended his position excellently."

"I'm not sure what the result might have been, but Leclerc ended up going off the cliff after just a few laps. He couldn't maintain the speed, and we didn't notice any signs of tire graining or wear."

Wolff believes that the information gathered from the Vegas event will be essential for Mercedes to identify and comprehend the present shortcomings of the W15.

"This is a significant outcome," he commented. "There are variations during the weekend, and typically you can observe that we've performed well in some practice sessions, while our performance hasn't been as strong in others."

"In this case, we consistently outperformed in each session. We've gathered a wealth of valuable information that helps us understand our ideal conditions, and now we know where we need to aim. The next step is figuring out how to reach that point more frequently."

Lewis frequently travels to various Grand Prix events worldwide to cover them for Crash.net. He often provides live updates from the scene and shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Michele Pirro: Ducati's GP25 and GP24 are "quite similar"

"In my opinion, achieving a significant improvement like we did from 2023 to 2024 is challenging."

In a statement likely to boost the morale of the satellite Ducati MotoGP riders, factory test rider Michele Pirro mentioned that the GP24 and the upcoming GP25 models are currently performing at nearly the same level.

However, he also cautioned that Ducati plans to work on enhancing the new prototype before the next official test scheduled for February at Sepang in Malaysia.

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During his first outing on the GP24, Alex Marquez claimed the fastest time at the Barcelona MotoGP Test following the race.

Ducati's official team riders, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, posted the third and fourth quickest times on the GP25 prototype.

Pirro, acting as a substitute rider for VR46 on a GP23 during the final race weekend of the season, also took the opportunity to test out the new bike on the track.

"It's intriguing to transition to the 2023-2025 bike models and skip testing the 2024 version. Nonetheless, the GP25 shows significant advancements over the 2023 model," Pirro commented.

"The difference between 25 and 24 is minimal. Making progress in one area often means we fall behind in another."

"I am optimistic that over the next two months, we can enhance the performance of the [25] slightly and advance during the Sepang test."

"However, progressing from 23 to 24 is a challenging task. It's an intriguing and rewarding challenge, but it certainly isn't easy!"

Since 2013, Pirro has served as a test rider for Ducati, witnessing the company's journey from its most challenging times to securing the MotoGP championship for the last three years.

"I'm pleased that Ducati has secured the championship title for the past three years. However, reaching new heights at this level, especially this year, presents its challenges," stated Pirro.

"It's a complicated situation, but we'll have to wait and see how it unfolds. Maintaining our winning streak is crucial. Next year, the number of Ducati riders will decrease by two compared to this year. However, the factory team still boasts two champions, along with Fabio di Giannantonio riding the 25 bike."

"I'm optimistic that the Ducatis will remain at a high-performance level next year."

Due to shoulder surgery, di Giannantonio will have to postpone his GP25 debut until February at Sepang.

In the meantime, due to Ducati's A concession status, Pirro is prohibited from participating in any wild-card races until the next concession assessment, which will take place in mid-2025.

For two decades, Peter has been a staple in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently a key figure in reporting on Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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No one present believed Ducati would allow Jorge Martin to secure a victory. Jorge Martin expresses gratitude to Ducati following his MotoGP championship win.

After Jorge Martin joined Aprilia following the Mugello race, as a reaction to Marc Marquez securing the factory Ducati seat for the next MotoGP season, there was widespread belief that his chances of competing for the MotoGP title might be severely impacted or even doomed.

Ducati stayed true to its promise by completely backing the Pramac rider throughout the season. As a result, he managed to surpass the factory team’s current champion, Francesco Bagnaia, by ten points.

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"Ducati was crucial. Even though they weren't planning to keep me for the following year, they still allowed me to compete with the same resources," Martin stated.

Gigi Dall’Igna had a strong belief in my abilities ever since I joined Moto2. However, life’s circumstances can often shift, which is why I never ended up on the factory Ducati team. Such is life.

"The crucial aspect was that they allowed me to compete on equal terms. I'm extremely thankful to Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of Ducati, because I believe no one present at this press conference expected them to permit me to achieve victory."

"I'm really thankful to them for allowing me to compete."

Back in 2024, Martin experienced being passed over by Ducati once again. This wasn't his first time, as he had missed out on the official team position to Enea Bastianini at the close of 2022.

"Martin described his rookie year in 2021 as fantastic, noting that he managed to triumph in his first top-level grand prix despite facing significant injuries."

"Everyone was saying that Martin was the promising talent and the star of tomorrow. However, 2022 proved to be challenging professionally. The bike didn't perform well due to engine issues, and I faced difficulties."

"Ducati faced significant pressure, compelling them to decide on signing Bastianini for the 2023 season."

Martin chose to stay with Pramac, receiving ongoing backing from the factory.

The Spanish rider competed against Bagnaia for the championship all the way to the last race of the previous season. This year, he made history by becoming the first rider not affiliated with a factory team to win the MotoGP title.

He stated, "I never aimed to prove Ducati wrong; my focus was always on myself and my team. I believe that the decision regarding Bastianini played a role in my victory with Pramac."

"Perhaps if I were with the factory team, things might have unfolded as they did with Enea, but I'm not certain. It might not have been the right fit for me. That's how life goes, and I'm pleased to have achieved victory with Pramac."

"It's the most deserving place for a victory, and they merit it even more than I do."

During his first appearance with Aprilia at the Barcelona MotoGP Test, Martin achieved the eleventh fastest time, trailing by 1.056 seconds. Meanwhile, Pramac is preparing to embark on a new chapter with Yamaha in the upcoming year.

For two decades, Peter has been a presence in the racing paddock, witnessing both the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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No one present believed Ducati would allow Jorge Martin to secure a victory.

Jorge Martin expresses gratitude to Ducati following his MotoGP championship win.

After Jorge Martin joined Aprilia following the Mugello race, as a reaction to Marc Marquez securing the factory Ducati MotoGP seat for the upcoming season, there was widespread speculation that it might damage, or even end, his pursuit of the MotoGP championship title.

In line with their promise, Ducati provided unwavering support to the Pramac rider throughout the entire season. This backing paid off when he finished ten points ahead of the factory team's current champion, Francesco Bagnaia.

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"Ducati was crucial. Even though they decided not to have me on the team next year, they still allowed me to compete with the same resources," Martin stated.

Gigi Dall’Igna had a lot of faith in me ever since I joined Moto2, in my opinion. However, life can take unexpected turns, which is why I never made it to the factory Ducati team. But that's just how life goes.

The main point is that they allowed me to compete on equal terms. I'm incredibly thankful to Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of Ducati, because I doubt anyone in this room during the press conference expected them to let me come out on top.

"They allowed me to compete, and I am incredibly thankful to them for that."

In 2024, Martin faced another instance of being passed over by Ducati, a situation he had already experienced in 2022 when Enea Bastianini was chosen for the official team position instead of him.

"Martin reflected on his first year in the premier class, describing 2021 as an amazing season, during which he triumphed over significant injuries to secure his inaugural grand prix victory."

The narrative was all about Martin being the next big thing, the emerging talent. However, the year 2022 proved to be challenging professionally. The motorcycle, particularly the engine, wasn't performing optimally, and I found myself facing difficulties.

"Ducati was under significant pressure and needed to decide on signing Bastianini for the 2023 season."

Martin chose to stay with Pramac, still receiving backing from the factory.

Last season, the Spanish competitor battled Bagnaia for the championship all the way to the last race. This year, he made history by becoming the first independent rider to claim the 'MotoGP' title.

He stated, "My intention was never to show Ducati they were mistaken; my focus was always on myself and my team. I believe that decision regarding Bastianini played a role in my victory with Pramac."

"Perhaps if I had been with the factory team, things might have unfolded similarly to Enea's situation… I'm not certain. It's possible it just wasn't the right fit for me. That's how life goes, and I'm pleased that I achieved victory with Pramac."

"It's the ideal location for my victory, and they are more deserving of this than I am."

Martin secured the eleventh-fastest time, trailing by 1.056 seconds, during his first appearance with Aprilia at the Barcelona MotoGP Test. Meanwhile, Pramac is gearing up for a new chapter as they partner with Yamaha starting next year.

Peter has spent two decades working in the paddock and has witnessed the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is closely involved with the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Former motorcycle racer embarks on a six-year barefoot journey to Pakistan in search of spiritual enlightenment.

Axel Pons, widely known for his achievements in the Moto2 World Championship, has recently made an appearance in a rather unexpected setting.

Pons, a former Grand Prix motorcycle racer who competed for ten seasons from 2008 to 2017 and achieved his best finish with a sixth place in the 2016 Moto2 Italian Grand Prix, has recently made an appearance in Pakistan.

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In the initial segment from the Pakistan Tourism YouTube channel, Pons strolls down a street and informs the camera crew that he has been going barefoot for six years.

In a video from the Wahaj Ali.B YouTube channel, a man is seated on a chair. He initially talks to a child and then addresses the camera operator. When questioned about his name, he initially responds with "Isa" but then explains that he was originally named Axel.

The man explained to the child that although his journey is lengthy, he made a choice three years ago to let go of everything, carry only a backpack, and begin walking.

Approximately 15 months back, once I felt prepared, I made the decision to head east, following the direction of the sun. Over the past year, this has been my journey, and it has been a wonderful experience.

When questioned about his origins, Pons replied, "My origins are divine, but my birthplace is Barcelona, Spain."

Pons explained that he decided to leave motorcycle racing behind and start a new chapter in his life when he started doubting the purpose of living a racing-focused lifestyle.

"There came a time when he began to wonder about the purpose of living at such a rapid pace," he expressed.

"I gradually reduced my pace until I reached the point where I now move leisurely, taking the time to enjoy the finer details of life."

During his trek from Spain to Asia, Pons expressed, “It wasn't anything extraordinary; it just felt like the right thing to do. There came a time when walking seemed to be the most logical choice, allowing me to let go of all the burdens we gather throughout life and simply seek a profound connection with Allah, or God."

"We practice by taking walks."

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

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Jack Miller shares key improvement for KTM to target in 2025

Jack Miller informs his previous team of an essential issue to address

Addressing the issues with the KTM is no longer Jack Miller's responsibility.

This week, Miller rode a Yamaha for the first time during the postseason test. He is set to become part of the Pramac team in 2025.

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He departs from KTM after a disappointing season, in which the team was unable to build on the promising results of 2023.

Miller was questioned about the suggestions he would offer KTM to enhance their motorcycle for the upcoming year.

"The engine is clearly powerful and robust," he remarked.

"They offer an impressive set of features."

"The bicycle isn't sluggish. It might benefit from a stronger response when the throttle is opened and a lower RPM to cover a few additional meters."

"The upper section is in excellent condition."

"The main issue I would focus on resolving is the vibration."

Miller claimed he has found it difficult to adjust to the 2024 tire while riding the KTM.

"The bicycle closely resembles last year's model, except for the engine," he mentioned.

"The frame and the rear suspension arm remain unchanged."

"Things were going smoothly towards the end of last year, but this year we've regressed."

Halfway through the season, KTM made the decision to remove Miller and bring in Pedro Acosta from their Tech3 satellite team as his replacement.

Miller was unable to secure a position with Tech3 as Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini were selected instead.

His expertise and talent in creating MotoGP motorcycles have been highly praised as he becomes part of the new Pramac Yamaha initiative.

Having extensive experience with Honda, Ducati, and currently KTM, Miller carries a wealth of expertise.

He joins forces with Miguel Oliveira, who will share insights about the 2024 Aprilia.

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

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Departing MotoGP executive labeled “a significant setback” for emerging team

“I believe he represents a significant setback for the team.”

Miguel Oliveira concluded his stint with the Trackhouse Aprilia team during the recent Solidarity Barcelona Grand Prix. However, the Portuguese motorcyclist feels that another team member who is also leaving will be a "significant loss" for the U.S.-based team.

Oliveira was part of the Trackhouse team for a year, but in reality, he was with them for two years. This is because the team transitioned from being RNF to Trackhouse last winter, keeping nearly all of the same staff.

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Wilco Zeelenberg became a part of the team in 2019, when it was known as Petronas Yamaha SRT, and remained with them until the end of this season.

The ex-World Championship competitor, who claimed victory at the 1990 250cc German Grand Prix, continued to serve as team manager for Trackhouse this year, even after Davide Brivio took on the position of team principal during the winter.

Nonetheless, changes in the team's leadership will result in Zeelenberg's departure in 2025.

Oliveira remarked that Wilco Zeelenberg has been an invaluable member of the team and a pleasure to collaborate with.

"He often supports the riders, frequently serving as a link between our experiences and the technical aspects."

Wilco brings a wealth of experience to the table, and when working with us, he truly grasps our viewpoint. He's always a great person to have as part of the team.

"It's unfortunate that he's departing. When you look at current MotoGP teams, they typically have someone like this in the garage—someone who may have been a rider in the past, is now retired, but truly comprehends our requirements."

"In my opinion, the team will greatly miss him."

Raul Fernandez, who is set to remain with Trackhouse in 2025, expressed that he will miss Zeelenberg, along with several other team members departing from Trackhouse this winter.

"It's an unusual emotion," Fernandez remarked, "since not only Wilco Zeelenberg is departing, but there are also three additional team members who will be leaving this weekend."

"Indeed, everyone supported me upon joining the team. In recent years, I struggled significantly on a personal level, and their assistance was invaluable."

"I'll feel odd when I get to the box and don't see Wilco or another person."

In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net team after spending two years writing about consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

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A seasoned MotoGP racer has silently stepped away from the track

"It's coming full circle."

A well-regarded motorcyclist discreetly announced his retirement from a MotoGP career that lasted for over a decade.

Stefan Bradl asserts that his recent participation in the final race of the season in Barcelona marks his ultimate appearance in MotoGP competitions.

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Bradl has been a dedicated Honda rider since he first entered the premier class of racing in 2012.

He will maintain his position as a test rider for HRC, a duty he has admirably performed for several years. However, next season, he will be accompanied in the test team by Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami.

"Bradl announced that this would be his final wildcard entry," he revealed during the Barcelona event last weekend.

"I am confident that Aleix and Taka will be their choice moving forward.

"I'm okay with it; I've informed them of my comfort. They possess greater speed.

"Next season, we're planning on six wildcard entries, which Aleix and Taka will be responsible for."

Bradl added, "I arrived with these ideas in mind. I shared them with HRC. I'm pleased with the outcome."

"I've spent a considerable amount of time here. It's fine. My initial wildcard opportunity came about nineteen years ago."

"The loop is tightening."

Bradl is pleased with the addition of more test riders

Finishing 22nd in Barcelona, Bradl's attention was primarily on the crucial development work for Honda.

Following his final race, he declared, "I've decided it's the right moment for me to step down from being a professional rider on a full-time basis."

"I'm pleased to find myself in a favorable position that allows me to continue participating in MotoGP riding during test sessions."

"Honda now boasts three test riders, which is fantastic. This is essential for the development work we have to undertake."

"I'm delighted to impart my wisdom and expertise with HRC and my fellow riders."

"As a test rider, my role involves undertaking tasks that are typically difficult to accomplish over a race weekend. Seen from the perspective of a rider, it's a demanding job."

"I understand the operations of the individuals and the organization, and they can achieve success. They stand as the leading manufacturer in this sport."

"They possess both the expertise and enthusiasm to make a return."

"Speed enhancements are expected next year, with attention already shifting towards the upcoming regulations and engine specifications."

Bradl expressed his pleasure regarding Espargaro and Nakagami joining Honda's testing team.

"It benefits me. I was overwhelmed with tasks; it felt like a huge burden," he expressed.

"I felt joyous because they had faith in me. However, now, having Aleix and Taka on board is beneficial as we require additional hands to accomplish the tasks at hand."

In 2013, Bradl achieved his highest MotoGP season ranking at seventh place. During that year, he also secured his sole podium finish, which happened in the United States.

Significantly, he stepped in for Marc Marquez in 2020 during his severe injury period.

He will carry on with his efforts in the background, working on the Honda.

For ten years, James served as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, providing coverage on a range of sports including American games, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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