Andrea Iannone, known for being somewhat controversial, is expected to dive into action and leave a mark. Some suggest it might have been wiser to choose a younger Italian rider, given the advantage of youth.

Andrea Iannone is expected to fully engage in his return to MotoGP.

This weekend in Malaysia, Iannone will make his MotoGP comeback after a five-year absence, stepping in for Fabio di Giannantonio with the VR46 team.

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He has made an impressive comeback following a four-year suspension for doping that nearly concluded his motorcycle racing career.

Neil Hodgson from TNT Sports expressed his enthusiasm by saying, "I'm really looking forward to it; it's going to be a lot of fun."

"He won't hesitate to speak his mind; he'll be eager to dive in, make his mark, and challenge the skeptics."

The debate centered around choosing between him and Nicolo Bulega. It seemed more reasonable to select the young Italian since he has time on his side and the potential to advance to MotoGP.

"I prefer to keep an eye on Iannone and observe his progress. There are numerous quick young Italian riders in this paddock!"

Gavin Emmett commented, "Following his suspension, he has become quite a controversial person."

"We observe matters from a perspective beyond Italy."

"He could never offer a justification for what occurred."

Observers, including ourselves, regarded Iannone as a promising talent. However, the dedication might not have fully met expectations.

"The humorous incidents that occurred during his MotoGP career. The operation that caused him to skip the testing sessions…"

"He nearly gave up his opportunity in MotoGP."

Michael Laverty stated, "The prohibited substance we were found using wasn't to boost performance as a motorbike racer; it was for appearances! To look presentable in the mirror!"

Emmett inquired, "Did he get his chance? Would it have been pleasant to see Bulega?"

Hodgson responded by saying, "Naturally, he's been given his chance. From a publicity standpoint, it's more compelling, isn't it? They'll generate more buzz with Iannone riding."

Over a period of seven years in MotoGP, Iannone raced for the teams Ducati, Suzuki, and Aprilia.

At 35 years old, Iannone is fresh from a remarkable season competing in the World Superbike Championship, representing the Go Eleven Ducati team.

After a four-year hiatus from racing, he was given the opportunity to compete again and concluded the season in eighth place in the rankings.

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EXCLUSIVE: Ayrton Senna "had moments of losing his temper, even getting into physical altercations" with reporters

Stewart Bell speaks with Ayrton Senna's press officer, who shares insights into the racing legend's intense interactions with the press.

In the world of sports, some of the most remarkable tales stem from individuals who remain away from the public eye. These are the people who have been part of the journey but aren't usually the first to be consulted for their perspective. They are the true insiders…

Betise Assumpção-Head is known for her role as the former personal press officer for the legendary Ayrton Senna, who was a three-time World Champion in Formula 1 racing.

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Remarkably, Assumpção-Head's path to reaching the top of the motor racing world began with her passion for volleyball, which she started playing at the age of 14. However, when it came to her professional life, the Brazilian chose to pursue a career in journalism covering the sport. At 21, she landed her first reporting position as a maternity leave replacement at Folha de S.Paulo, a daily newspaper in São Paulo, just a year after earning her degree in journalism.

"Assumpção-Head mentions that volleyball experienced a significant surge in popularity by the time she completed her education."

"During that era, we had an exceptional team, ranking as the second-best globally. However, since volleyball wasn't well-known, I found myself in the perfect position to document it. I was familiar with all the players, having traveled with several and even played in the same club as them."

Before long, she encountered Senna, who was destined to become a Formula 1 legend, as he ascended in the sport.

Honda has released an incredible advertisement showcasing three-time Formula 1 world champions Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen. 👏 📹 @hondapic.twitter.com/oj3KP5YcF8— Crash.net – Formula 1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) October 9, 2024

Question: Can you describe your initial encounter with Ayrton Senna?

Betise Head (BH): "When I started working for Folha de S.Paulo, Ayrton would contact the media each time he came back to Brazil. At the time, he was competing in Formula 3 and Formula 3000. Even though he already had a small agency, he would still reach out to journalists, and they would often send me, the newcomer. No one else was interested, thinking, 'Oh, it's just a guy wanting to announce he's won a race.'"

"I ended up tracking his professional journey, almost by accident. I'm not even a fan of motor racing. Nonetheless, he kept appearing in my life every few months. In 1985, I transitioned from working at Folha to joining Placar, a football magazine. However, they decided to expand their focus to cover a variety of sports due to low sales."

In 1986, Ayrton received the title of sportsperson of the year, which was well-deserved. It was a significant event, especially since he was set to join Lotus the next year. I was assigned to create a feature on him, so I visited his office, conducted interviews with him and his family, met with [helmet designer] Sid [Mosca], and even got hold of his helmet. This experience allowed me to become quite familiar with his circle, you might say.

"I wasn't exactly a friend, but we maintained a good professional rapport, and they appreciated all my work and contributions."

What took place after that point?

BH recalled that in 1987, she made the decision to travel to England. As a woman in sports media, she often found herself assigned to less desirable tasks, being given assignments that others were not interested in taking on.

"I relocated to London and started living with my sister, who lived around 300 meters from Wimbledon. By chance, Ayrton's closest friend was acquainted with my sister through advertising projects in Brazil. They ran into each other, and he mentioned that he was heading to Wimbledon, asking if he could park his car at her place. She agreed without hesitation! Little did we know that Ayrton was accompanying him."

While at Wimbledon, I unexpectedly met him, and he inquired about my presence there. I explained that I planned to remain and work on my English skills. However, at the conclusion of the event, when he arrived to pick up the car, I encountered Ayrton once more. Ayrton mentioned that he was heading to dinner with the Japanese representatives from Honda, as he aimed to persuade them to join McLaren. He invited me to accompany him to the dinner.

Question: What led to you taking on the role of his press officer?

BH shared that after about a year, he received a phone call from the person who needed a companion for the races. This individual had previously worked with a Brazilian journalist who would write for him. However, the journalist also contributed to other outlets and had family responsibilities, which required him to focus on providing for them.

"They initially attempted that approach but soon discovered conflicting interests. As a result, someone suggested my name to him. It was some individuals I had previously worked with at a car magazine. They had since started their own agency and were handling his public relations in Brazil. Surprisingly, he reached out to me personally, which many people find hard to believe!"

He mentioned, "I'm curious if you'd be interested in joining this endeavor. I'm currently in a huge dispute with [former FIA President Jean-Marie] Balestre. I'm unsure if I'll even be able to compete, but if I do, I'd like you to be part of it." I agreed and began covering just the Grand Prix events. Each day, I crafted a press release. Back then, before the internet was widely available, most journalists didn't have access to reliable information. In Brazil, only the largest newspapers and TV networks could afford to send reporters around the globe; otherwise, they had to depend on international news agencies.

Each day, I would share an article that was a legitimate news piece, complete with details and unique quotes, but focused primarily on Senna. After all, he would naturally be the focal point of any Brazilian article, right?

"I would send the material to Brazil, where it would be shared with approximately 350 newspapers. This gave him significant visibility, and when we included photos, the reach expanded further."

Q: How was the experience of working with Ayrton?

BH explained that a significant part of his role was focused on helping Ayrton manage his time efficiently. On several occasions, he mentioned to Ayrton that he noticed how stressed he seemed after leaving engineering meetings.

"I managed his media interactions by organizing group interviews with different publications, ensuring there was no overlap. I recorded all the sessions. After conducting several of these interviews, I compiled a comprehensive file containing details about him and the questions he had previously addressed."

"I would approach the journalist and inform them that they would have a 20-minute interview with Ayrton. However, I would provide them with a detailed file about him and insist that they read it thoroughly. I would advise them against asking basic questions like his sister’s name, as he would find that disrespectful and might end the interview abruptly."

"Imagine having just 20 minutes to speak with Ayrton Senna, and then choosing to ask him what his favorite color is. Surprisingly, some people actually did that!"

Ayrton wasn't fond of giving interviews. However, if you managed to engage him in a meaningful conversation, he was hard to pull away. Despite the engineers' attempts to whisk him off, he truly enjoyed an engaging and stimulating discussion.

He enjoyed clarifying his thoughts and had a desire for others to comprehend him. He appreciated engaging with fascinating and smart individuals.

Back in the day, when Formula 1 was more accessible and fans or others would approach him during his walks, he had a simple strategy. He would direct them to speak with me, explaining that I kept a record of everything and would relay all necessary information to him. I assured him to pass all concerns my way, emphasizing that handling such matters was my responsibility. He didn’t need to fret; we would manage the situation together.

Question: Did any problems arise regarding the media?

BH mentioned that he would become upset if people took advantage of the system, as this would lead to physical interactions.

In the current era, there are structured interview zones and organized procedures. However, back then, reporters would approach him directly at the rear of the garage before he even had a chance to speak with his engineer, which left him quite frustrated.

"I halted the situation by informing the journalists that while everyone is working against the clock, it's really the Europeans who are in a rush. The South Americans have more flexibility. I arranged the interview schedule, placing the Brazilians at the end."

"The Europeans were prioritized since they made up the largest group. After arranging everything, you might spot some individuals lingering at the rear of the garage. You'd advise them, 'If you hang around at the back of the motorhome, he'll avoid coming out because he can see you waiting.'"

"He might be upset because you're blocking access to the engineers' office. When you treated everyone equally, they got it, since before I arrived, most of them didn't have any way to reach Ayrton. So, everyone valued it."

"He would remain present until the very last question was asked, even in three different languages. I would handle the situation, making sure to dismiss people once they had their turn. The questions were always the same each week, with nothing fresh, and I had everything documented."

"I would often visit the pressroom, and everyone there understood that they could rely on me for details, since I was aware of his statements. We didn't manipulate the information; I simply conveyed it to them."

He explained that, given the circumstances, that was what he intended—it reflects his beliefs and so on. It's straightforward, and it's astonishing that more people don't adopt this approach regularly.

Question: Thirty years have passed since he died during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Can you describe what that challenging day was like for you?

BH described the day as if operating on instinct, simply going through the motions. He mentioned that Leonardo, his brother, was present, and he was determined to secure a private room in the hospital for him, ensuring that the media couldn't contact him.

"I wasn't the one responsible for delivering formal announcements. The hospital handled that task. I interacted with a few individuals who emerged."

Following the declaration of his death, there was just one request made of me that I refused to fulfill – they needed someone to confirm the identity of the body. I declined to do it.

Gerhard Berger, a friend, had informed me that he had visited the hospital and expressed a desire to see him. I inquired if he was certain about this decision, as we had received advice against visiting due to the severity of his head injuries. Nevertheless, Berger insisted on seeing him.

He returned pale and said, "I shouldn’t have gone in there. Please make sure no one else enters."

After everything was finished, I returned to the Imola track around 10:30 p.m. and sat in the motorhome, where all my belongings had been left behind.

A segment aired on Sky TV featuring Ayrton, who appeared sun-kissed and wore a vibrant yellow shirt. His hair was damp, likely from jet skiing, and he expressed his joy by saying, "I love my life here; it's beautiful."

"At that moment, I broke down and cried without restraint. I found myself unable to halt the tears or catch my breath. The situation was unchanged the next day."

"Leonardo, his brother, was present, and we were making efforts to keep him away from the media. We relocated him to a different hotel, but the press discovered his new location. In any case, it was challenging, but I managed to handle it."

"I spent several days working at the office in Brazil before heading to Monaco. There, Karl Wendlinger had a crash at the Nouvelle chicane, hitting the barrier. The situation was serious enough that he was placed in an induced coma. At that point, I felt overwhelmed and decided it was time to step back. I apologized and said that I needed to distance myself from everything."

"I took a 15-day break from work to visit my pregnant sister. We spent time relaxing on the beach without much conversation with others. Upon returning, there was interest in creating a book, but they preferred not to include specific information."

"I transitioned from barely managing each day to, three months later in late August, returning to Europe without any clear plans. I was uncertain about my next steps, so I simply proceeded without overthinking."

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Alex Marquez describes the "incredibly foolish" incident during the Thai MotoGP sighting lap. "It wasn't due to a lapse in focus," he clarifies.

According to Alex Marquez, his "really stupid" fall during the sighting lap of the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix happened because he was testing a different racing line in wet conditions.

Ahead of Sunday’s 26-lap grand prix in Buriram, the Gresini racer experienced a crash at Turn 11 during the warm-up lap to the grid.

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Alarm on the warm-up lap! 😮@alexmarquez73 has taken a fall! 💥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/3Fc7sKx0l3— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 27, 2024

Marquez managed to begin the race using his backup bike, which needed to be adjusted from a dry to a wet configuration. However, he had to begin the race from the last position on the grid rather than starting in ninth place.

He successfully battled through the group on his GP23 to finish in the top ten.

Marquez admitted to reporters, such as those from Crash.net, on Sunday that it was a very foolish error.

"To start with, I have to apologize to the team as the error was mine."

"I must clarify that it wasn't due to a lapse in focus or anything of that sort."

"During the warm-up, I kept thinking about a particular line I wanted to try because I had been cutting over the kerb at Turn 11 on every lap. However, when I was heading to the grid, I noticed there was more water present."

"I decided to test the grip on that curb by using a small amount of gas, rather than going all out."

"When I entered, it felt freezing, and before I knew it, I was lying on the floor."

"Afterwards, the situation became quite complex, so I opted for the dry bike and we returned to using the complete rain configuration."

"Beginning from the back, I had an average performance in the race. My connection with the car wasn't outstanding, so I focused on completing the race and giving it my all."

"I was fortunate to have the accident on that lap, as I had been considering attempting that route."

"I would have ended up crashing either during the warm-up lap or the initial lap of the race when everyone was approaching."

"I consider myself fortunate in that situation. It's important to learn from this experience, and I shouldn't be too hard on myself for it. Such an error is something a MotoGP rider should avoid."

Marquez mentioned that despite the crash that took him out of his initial qualifying spot, he doubts he could have achieved better than eighth place. He explained that his experience with the GP23 in wet conditions wasn't very positive.

Marquez, who claimed victory in the 2023 Silverstone sprint race under rainy conditions, mentioned that beginning from ninth place rather than 23rd made eighth position seem typical today.

"I don't have a great sense of confidence with the 2023 bike. In contrast, the 2022 model made me feel extremely strong in wet conditions, as did the Honda."

"However, with this '23 model, there is still something lacking in the configuration."

"If we get a chance to practice in wet conditions, we will make the necessary adjustments. Otherwise, we'll have to come up with a plan since I'm not very comfortable riding in the rain."

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Alex Marquez discusses the "incredibly foolish" incident during the sighting lap at the Thai MotoGP. He clarifies that it wasn’t due to a lapse in concentration.

Alex Marquez described his "incredibly foolish" fall during the sighting lap at the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix as a consequence of testing out a different racing line on the wet track.

The Gresini team racer experienced a crash at Turn 11 while heading to the starting grid for Sunday's 26-lap grand prix in Buriram.

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Anxiety strikes during the warm-up lap! 😮@alexmarquez73 has taken a fall! 💥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/3Fc7sKx0l3— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 27, 2024

Anxiety strikes during the warm-up lap! 😮@alexmarquez73 has taken a fall! 💥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/3Fc7sKx0l3

Marquez managed to begin the race using his backup motorcycle, which needed to be adjusted from a dry configuration to a wet one. However, he had to start from the last position on the grid rather than his original ninth place.

He successfully battled his way through the field on his GP23 to finish among the top 10 competitors.

On Sunday, Marquez admitted to the press, including Crash.net, that it was a very foolish error.

"To begin with, I have already apologized to the team as it was my error."

"I must clarify that it wasn't due to a lapse in focus or anything of that sort."

During the warm-up, I consistently took a specific line through Turn 11 by cutting the kerb on every lap. As I headed to the grid, I noticed that there was more water on the track.

"I decided to give it a shot with a small amount of throttle, but not going all out, to check the traction on that curb."

"When I entered, it felt freezing, and before I knew it, I was lying on the floor."

"Things got more complex afterward, so I opted for the other bike that was dry, and we went with the complete rain configuration once more."

"Beginning from the back of the grid, I had an ordinary race. The sensation wasn't great, so my focus was on completing the race and doing my best."

"I consider myself fortunate to have had the accident on that particular lap, as I was contemplating attempting that route."

"I would have ended up crashing during the warm-up lap or the first lap of the race when everyone was approaching."

"I was fortunate in that situation. We should learn from this incident, and I must avoid being overly critical of myself. Such an error is unacceptable for a MotoGP rider."

Marquez mentioned that despite the crash that caused him to lose his initial qualifying spot, he doubts he could have achieved better than eighth place. He explained that his experience on the GP23 in wet conditions is “not really good.”

Marquez, the victor of the 2023 Silverstone sprint held under rainy conditions, remarked that beginning from ninth place instead of twenty-third made their eighth-place finish seem quite standard.

"I don't have a great sense of comfort with the 2023 bike. In contrast, I felt extremely confident in wet conditions with the 2022 model, as well as when riding the Honda."

"However, the 2023 model still lacks something in its configuration."

"If we get the chance to ride in rainy conditions, we'll make the necessary adjustments. However, if that opportunity doesn't arise, we need to come up with a plan because I'm currently not very comfortable riding when it's wet."

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Viewing Guide for the Malaysia MotoGP Live Stream

Find details below on how to catch the 2024 Malaysia MotoGP live, including the schedule and broadcast times.

Here's how you can catch the Malaysia MotoGP from November 1-3, including options for free online streaming. Additionally, we've provided the start times for the Malaysia MotoGP below.

The second-to-last race of the 2024 MotoGP season is taking place in Sepang.

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Jorge Martin is leading the standings, holding a 17-point advantage over Pecco Bagnaia.

This season's championship has been marked by numerous mistakes, and Martin and Bagnaia are eager to steer clear of making any significant blunders at this critical point.

Is Marc Marquez going to make an impact? Although he cannot secure the championship himself, his current form might still disrupt the competition.

In other news, Yamaha and Honda are set to maintain their gradual advancements leading up to the start of the 2025

MOTOGP MALAYSIA SCHEDULE FOR THE UK

On Friday, the first free practice session will begin at 12:45 a.m., followed by another practice at 7 a.m

Saturday, November 22nd: Practice session at 10:10 AM, Qualifying round at 10:50 AM, and Sprint race at

Sunday, November, 7:00 AM – Malaysian Moto

WATCHING THE MALAYSIA MOTOGP 2024 FROM ANY LOCATION

If you're traveling or outside the country of the TV streaming service you want to access, you might face difficulties in viewing the Malaysia MotoGP due to geo-restrictions. This technology is used by broadcasters to limit access to content based on geographic location. However, you can bypass these restrictions by using a VPN, with ExpressVPN being a top recommendation.

ExpressVPN is providing an additional three months at no cost to anyone who subscribes to their annual plan, resulting in a 49% discount. Moreover, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to test the service without any financial risk.

This device works with a wide range of streaming gadgets such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Xbox, PlayStation, as well as Android and Apple smartphones.

FREE ONLINE STREAMING OPTIONS FOR MALAYSIA MOTOGP

Viewers can catch the Malaysia MotoGP at no cost through Austria's broadcasters, ORF or Servus. They offer live streaming on their respective platforms: ORF TVthek for ORF and Servus TV for Servus. It's important to note that the broadcast commentary will be in German, and you might need to set up a free account to access the stream.

Belgian network RTBF provides free access to the Malaysia MotoGP, featuring commentary in French. The event can be streamed live on RTBF Auvio.

Here's how you can view the live stream of the Malaysia MotoGP: Sign up for the MotoGP Video Pass to access the live event.

The platform is operated by MotoGP and provides both live streaming and on-demand access to all races, including those from the past.

All events, including practice sessions, qualifying rounds, sprint races, and the main grands prix of each round, can be accessed here.

There's plenty of additional exclusive content available to appreciate.

The annual subscription for the MotoGP Video Pass is priced at €199.99, equivalent to £170.97, while a monthly subscription costs €29.99, which is approximately £25.64.

VIEWING GUIDE FOR 2024 MALAYSIA MOTOGP IN THE UK

In the UK, TNT Sports will broadcast all sessions of the Malaysia MotoGP, spanning from Friday to Sunday.

By subscribing to TNT, you can view the Malaysia MotoGP.

For £30.99, you can buy a subscription to TNT Sports, giving you access to all four of its channels and Discovery+. The service is available on television, mobile devices, tablets, and gaming consoles.

You have the option to enroll in a 30-day complimentary trial of TNT Sports by selecting the Discovery Plus Premium package through Amazon Prime.

Viewing Free MotoGP Highlights from the 2024 Malaysia Race

ITVX provides complimentary highlights of the MotoGP event.

The official website and YouTube channel of MotoGP will share complimentary highlight videos.

VIEWING GUIDE FOR 2024 MALAYSIA MOTOGP IN THE UNITED STATES

In the United States, TNT Sports holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the Malaysia MotoGP event. All the races will be shown on their truTV channel. Additionally, fans can stream the event through the Max platform.

SlingTV is a top choice for online streaming services.

VIEWING GUIDE FOR 2024 MALAYSIA MOTOGP IN AUSTRALIA

Australian fans can catch the live broadcast of the Malaysia MotoGP through Kayo Sports or Foxtel Go. These platforms will provide the event's coverage.

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Fabio Di Giannantonio: "Enduring long hours of pain" yet "hard to quit"

Fabio Di Giannantonio concludes his season prematurely

Fabio di Giannantonio's season came to a close in Thailand as he returns to Europe for an operation on the shoulder he hurt during practice at the Austrian Grand Prix in August. Despite this, the Italian rider expressed contentment with the conclusion of his third MotoGP season, having secured fourth-place finishes in both Australia and Thailand.

After the Thai Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio expressed his joy, stating that he believed they had accomplished an outstanding performance.

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Competing in seven races over the span of two months has put a significant strain on my shoulder, but we have accomplished remarkable work at home.

"Trust me, it's been extremely challenging to compete at that level. I've endured countless hours of physical therapy and dealt with a lot of pain during both rehabilitation and training sessions."

In my opinion, the season concluded on a high note by wrapping up with two distinct tracks in varying conditions, securing fourth place in both, which is a remarkable accomplishment.

"We should be extremely pleased because we currently hold the eighth position in the championship standings. We've accumulated a significant number of points and are ahead of several top competitors. I believe we've accomplished something remarkable."

After finishing in eighth place in Saturday's Sprint, Di Giannantonio was worried about his physical readiness for Sunday's full-length Grand Prix. However, he noted that the rainy conditions made the race a bit less challenging.

"The wet weather conditions were incredibly beneficial," he mentioned. "To be honest, I had significant concerns about the extended race, as I had been having a tough time with the right-hand turns throughout the weekend."

"Riding in wet conditions has been incredibly beneficial, despite the increased danger. Falling and landing on my shoulder would have been significantly more harmful."

"In the end, things worked out well, so we should be grateful for a little bit of luck."

While Di Giannantonio believes halting his season is the correct decision, he confessed that it is challenging for him to come to terms with ending his run early, especially when he's performing so well.

"It's really challenging here," he remarked. "At this point, it's tough to bring things to a halt. Every lap, I kept thinking, 'I don't want to stop,' but in the end, we chose to stop because it was the smart and sensible decision to make."

"It's beneficial to pause, undergo the surgery, recuperate, and aim to be fully prepared for the next year."

Conversely, with Di Giannantonio concluding his season at this point, he can approach the winter and recuperate from his shoulder operation with the assurance that he finished the 2024 season performing well.

"It's crucial because reaching this stage means you've achieved it, and now you understand that any further actions will be aimed at enhancing this level," he stated.

"Undoubtedly, the journey will be lengthy, and we shouldn't anticipate maintaining our current speed during the initial test in 2025. It's important to remain composed."

"I believe that taking this step will be beneficial, leading to significant improvement next year, surpassing our current status."

Finishing with more strength

During the latter part of the race, Di Giannantonio managed to close the gap to the leader, Francesco Bagnaia, by approximately six seconds.

The rider from Italy mentioned that he initially had difficulty with the bike at the beginning of the race, but his performance got better as the race progressed.

"The start of the race felt terrible, to be honest," he mentioned.

"The front and rear were slipping, which made it hard for me to find my rhythm. As a result, I was three seconds slower than I was this morning, so I faced significant difficulties."

"The main thought I had was to stay calm for a few laps and gradually find my pace. Once I did, I felt unstoppable."

"I was confident that I could maintain an excellent speed in rainy conditions, and ultimately we demonstrated that. That's just the nature of racing."

"Certainly, we need to examine and comprehend the situation to avoid making the same small mistake next year. However, overall, the race was extremely positive."

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INSIDER REPORT: The Explanation Behind the Lack of Penalty for Marc Marquez's Unzipped Racing Suit

New insights clarify why Marc Marquez did not face any sanctions.

Marc Marquez avoided receiving a penalty during the Thailand MotoGP, even though his racing suit came undone.

After remounting his bike following an early fall and finishing in 11th place, Marquez described how he believes the suit came open during the crash when the airbag was deployed.

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Video captured from the race showed that the safety latch at the top of his racing suit came undone once he returned to the track.

However, the FIM stewards decided not to penalize Marquez, even though the regulations clearly indicate that safety gear must be worn properly at all times.

A representative from Dorna informed Crash.net that they have the ability to use discretion in situations like this, as they can involve different factors.

For example, if it was determined that Marquez lacked sufficient time to respond, the stewards are justified in choosing not to penalize him.

Due to Marquez's crash and subsequent remount, which damaged the safety clasp on his racing suit, it appears the stewards exercised their judgment by choosing not to penalize him.

What are the regulations?

According to Article 2.4.5.2 of the FIM MotoGP rulebook, found under the section for Rider’s Safety Equipment, the guidelines state:

Every rider under contract is required to start each racing event with a minimum of two sets of intact safety gear.

"A full collection of safety gear must include:

Riders are required to wear their gear properly secured at all times while on the track. For specific items, such as the Airbag system, the equipment must be in place and working at the beginning of each track session. The Technical Director has the final say on issues related to the riders' gear.

Has any other racer faced penalties? Fabio Quartararo received a three-second time penalty during the 2021 Catalan Grand Prix after his racing suit came undone, leading him to remove his chest protector.

This violated Section 2.4.5.2.

Quartararo acknowledged afterward that the penalty was justified.

In India last year, Jorge Martin's racing suit momentarily came undone.

Martin managed to close them up again without facing any consequences.

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Valentino Rossi chuckles at a Stoner-Marquez gag while hosting a comedy television program. Valentino Rossi took on a completely new kind of role.

Italian television featured Valentino Rossi as the host of a comedic show known for its satire.

Rossi took on the role of a special guest co-host for GialappaShow, a program known for its humorous music and impressions.

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Tonight, I will be co-hosting the second episode of the GialappaShow alongside Mago Forest and @GialappasB. It's an event you won't want to miss, airing at 9:30 PM on Tv8 and Sky channel 108! #GialappaShow pic.twitter.com/7MGRsgRSUx— Valentino Rossi (@ValeYellow46) October 28, 2024

Unsurprisingly, people started making jokes about Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez.

After revealing that he has a pre-race habit of wearing his left boot before the right and talking to his motorcycle, Rossi faced an uncomfortable question.

The co-host insisted on finding out: "Is it true that you've named your family jewels? Do you really refer to one as Stoner and the other as Marquez?"

Rossi laughed loudly and then responded: "You can't claim otherwise; it just won't function now!"

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner was one of the athletes who was humorously mimicked.

However, the main draw was MotoGP icon Rossi, who continues to be one of Italy's most beloved celebrities.

Even after retiring, and despite taking on a playful role that was unfamiliar territory for him, it was acceptable to make jokes at the expense of Stoner and Marquez.

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Lando Norris has received a potential advantage in the F1 championship as Max Verstappen may face an engine penalty during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil this weekend.

Max Verstappen might face a grid penalty at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend if Red Bull decides to replace his engine.

Due to a problem with his power unit during Friday's sessions, Verstappen had to switch back to using an older engine.

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The driver from the Netherlands bounced back and secured a front-row starting position for his Red Bull car, placing him ahead of his F1 championship competitor, Lando Norris.

Nonetheless, Red Bull's competitiveness diminished during the race when Verstappen found himself lacking in straight-line speed, allowing Carlos Sainz to overtake him after the Safety Car restart.

Verstappen found himself entangled in two distinct situations with Norris, leading to a total of 20 seconds in time penalties.

The three-time world champion ended up in sixth place, while Norris secured the second position, resulting in a 10-point decrease in his championship lead.

Red Bull is contemplating providing him with a new engine for the last four races in order to remain competitive in the championship battle.

Given the numerous overtaking chances in Brazil, Red Bull would logically opt for a new engine there if they choose to make such a decision.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Marko expressed concern, stating, "What's more concerning is our inability to get the medium and hard tires to perform effectively."

"We were far behind the leading two teams, and one reason might be that on Friday, engine issues prevented us from driving."

"It's evident that action is needed. Additionally, we'll need to replace the engine since our speed on the straightaways has been lacking."

This engine, which was installed in the vehicle, was not meant to be there, making it likely that the situation in Brazil might occur.

Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF that the engine Verstappen used in Mexico was meant just for practice sessions, indicating that its performance wasn't at its best.

Marko stated that the engine used was not meant for the race, and that as an engine ages, its efficiency decreases.

"The penalty would result in a drop of five positions. In a place like Brazil, this wouldn't be too harsh since overtaking is fairly straightforward there. However, we noticed we were lacking speed, specifically three to eight km/h, on the straight sections."

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Marco Bezzecchi expressed his frustration with a specific trait of the Ducati GP23, stating, "I haven't achieved the same speed as I did last year." He remarked, "Honestly, the sensation while riding is quite similar to how it feels in dry conditions…"

Marco Bezzecchi's fall during the Thai Grand Prix in Buriram happened after he realized that the same feature of the Ducati Desmosedici GP23 that has limited his performance in dry weather this season also affects him in wet conditions.

Throughout the season, Bezzecchi has faced difficulties with maneuvering the GP23 in dry weather. Despite securing three Grand Prix wins in 2023, he has achieved just a single podium finish in 2024.

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In Thailand, Bezzecchi achieved his inaugural MotoGP pole position in 2022. The rain on Sunday might have given him a chance, as he secured his first MotoGP victory at the 2023 Argentinian Grand Prix.

Bezzecchi expressed that he typically performs better in rainy conditions. However, he acknowledged that wet conditions can vary greatly, sometimes leading to strong performances and other times resulting in poor ones.

However, I haven't experienced the same level of comfort in wet conditions as I did last year, making it hard to determine whether it's due to the bike, the tires, or various other factors. Ultimately, the outcome is that I haven't been as quick as I was last year, both on wet and dry surfaces.

"Frankly, riding the bike feels almost the same whether it's dry or wet. The bike behaves in a consistent manner regardless of the weather, so the conditions don't make a difference."

Marco Bezzecchi's race at the Thai Grand Prix came to an abrupt halt when he crashed on the outside of the first turn, making him the first rider to fall on the fourth lap.

Bezzecchi explained his crash that concluded the race in Buriram with straightforward honesty: "I simply made an error at the first corner," he remarked.

He mentioned that the start of the race was challenging due to insufficient grip at the back, but clarified that this was not the reason for his crash.

During the initial lap, Bezzecchi experienced significant struggles and faced the danger of crashing four or five times. He remarked, "I'm not sure whether I failed to adequately warm up the rear tire, but I found myself losing grip at the back multiple times."

"[I was] taking even greater risks than with my initial mistake at the first corner. Luckily, I managed to avoid a major accident, but as I began to regain some ground, I pushed harder at the first corner again and ended up losing control of the front."

"I was mostly comfortable with the bike's setup, although there was an odd feeling. However, this feeling wasn't the cause of my accident. The crash happened because I pushed too hard at the first turn."

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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell discuss their internal team competition at the Mexico Grand Prix

The Mercedes pair competed against each other for track position in Mexico.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell engaged in close racing at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix, but the encounter concluded without any issues.

Executives at Mercedes may have felt relieved to witness their two drivers engage in a fair competition for position.

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However, this is partly because of the mindset that Mercedes expects from its drivers during races, as Hamilton explained.

Toto Wolff stated, "We have such confidence in their skill and experience that we permit them to race freely."

Initially, I was certain there wasn't a moment when I felt things were becoming tense.

"We decided to contact George towards the end when it was evident that Lewis had the quicker vehicle. It seemed that one defensive maneuver on the straight was possibly made a little too late."

"I'm completely certain about both of them."

While in Mexico, Hamilton stated: "It's quite simple."

"I believe neither of us is foolish."

"George is incredibly intelligent and equitable. He also excels at positioning his car, which is beneficial for me as well."

When the team communicates over the radio and instructs to "maintain cleanliness," the natural response is "absolutely."

"When you're competing against someone, it's similar to any other match, but there's a twist because it's your teammate. This situation requires extra caution since both of you aim to complete the challenge."

Russell expressed that he enjoyed the challenge and mentioned that competing against Lewis is always enjoyable due to the tough yet fair nature of their rivalry.

During the Mexico City Grand Prix, Hamilton initially took the lead over Russell, but was subsequently passed by his teammate.

In the final part of the race, Hamilton managed to surpass Russell, securing a fourth-place finish, while Russell ended up in fifth.

Hamilton attributed his poor performance in the opening stint to understeer issues. On the other hand, Russell was dealing with a compromised front wing and was already using an older version of the W15 car due to a practice session crash.

However, the duel between teammates served as a model for other racing teams on how to compete, especially as Hamilton's time with Mercedes nears its end.

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Honda's MotoGP racers have shared insights about the RC213V, noting that the challenges experienced on dry tracks are similarly present in wet conditions. One rider mentioned that while wet conditions intensify the issue, it allows for a clearer understanding of the bike's behavior, enabling them to concentrate on specific areas for improvement.

Honda's MotoGP racers faced similar challenges during the rainy Thai MotoGP event last weekend as they have encountered in dry races throughout 2024. However, for Johann Zarco and Luca Marini, these issues were not entirely negative.

Johann Zarco started the race on a positive note, but after several laps, he fell behind the leading riders because of insufficient grip.

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Zarco stated, "I had a strong start, but when the others picked up speed, I struggled to maintain it as my bike was sliding excessively, and I couldn't get comfortable on it."

"I attempted to take on additional tasks, but this led to errors, causing me to lose my standing."

Zarco mentioned that one advantage was that the rainy weather helped him better identify the specific area where Honda needs enhancements.

He mentioned that the good news is that under wet conditions, they face almost the same issues as they do when it's dry; this is something he has pointed out before.

"The presence of wet conditions makes the issue more pronounced, which actually makes it simpler to understand how the bike behaves. At this point, we can concentrate on a specific aspect, unlike earlier in the year when we had to explore various options. Now, there's one specific area where I want to improve, and if I can overcome this hurdle, I'll be able to make further progress."

The LCR Honda rider elaborated further, mentioning that the issue was not just with the rear grip but specifically with the rear grip in a particular section.

"It's an oversimplification to just mention rear grip," Zarco noted, posing a question he was already ready to answer: "Yes, rear grip, but where?"

"In my opinion, we need to focus on improving control of the bike as we approach the corner. Once we achieve this, enhancing the traction as we exit will become simpler."

Luca Marini from Repsol Honda shared views that were very similar to those of Zarco, highlighting that the problems experienced in dry conditions are identical to those encountered in wet conditions, with the main challenge being the entry into corners.

"It's amazing to experience a situation that feels so familiar," Marini quipped when questioned about whether the issues encountered in dry conditions also occur in the wet.

"We need to make improvements and are fully aware of the specific areas needing attention. The challenge lies in enhancing the rear grip, which is extremely difficult to address. I believe the main restriction occurs during entry."

Marini clarified that the importance of the entry grip lies in the fact that insufficient rear entry grip is postponing the entire cornering process for Honda riders.

Marini mentioned that if you can achieve that type of grip when entering, you can initiate the bike's turn sooner, which might allow you to accelerate more and potentially discover better traction.

"However, when entering, we must consistently delay for the back end because there's a constant sensation that it lacks stability, feels too light, and tends to slide excessively. We need to hold off until the rear returns to its proper alignment to lean and guide the bike through the turn."

"For instance, at turn four, we are significantly slower than Yamaha. Although Yamaha still faces traction issues, they can rely on the rear of the bike when they need to make a quick entry."

"This issue of having confidence in the rear during entry is a constant challenge for us, whether the conditions are wet or dry."

"In my view, once we have the bike completely upright, everything is fine. However, just before that point, we tend to slide too much, although we are aware of this."

"If we manage to improve the entry, we can speed up this section and navigate it more rapidly, allowing us to get onto a straight path more efficiently. On a straight, Honda performs quite well, and I would argue it is better than Yamaha for me in this scenario."

"The issue is that we're constantly waiting for the back end, which prevents us from turning the bike sufficiently."

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