Valtteri Bottas shares insights on his future plans following his revealing new tattoo

"At this point in my life, one chapter is coming to an end."

Valtteri Bottas has showcased a fresh tattoo on his thigh that asks, "what's next?"

The slogan has become a part of Bottas's online presence as he contemplates the approaching conclusion of his time in Formula 1.

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Sauber has chosen to bring on board Formula 2 racer Gabriel Bortoleto, together with Nico Hulkenberg from Haas, for the 2025 season.

Bottas finds himself without options but is welcoming new opportunities.

This also encompasses his completion of an Iron Man triathlon, which involves a 3.8km swim, 180km cycling, and a 42.2km run, all carried out within the confines of his house, motivated by his desire to demonstrate his capability of achieving it.

The departing Formula 1 racer revealed his latest tattoo to Sky Sports while in Las Vegas, expressing, "What comes next? That's what I'm pondering. That's the reason I made this commitment.

"I didn't possess any ink on my body, yet I believed this would be a great choice."

"At this juncture in my existence, one chapter is nearing its end. A fresh beginning is on the horizon.

"What comes after? This is the question individuals must pose and seek the solution for."

"I'm not hurrying to dive into anything that comes next."

"I must explore all options to determine what's most beneficial for me, considering various routes from 2026 and beyond, whether in Formula 1 or in a different field."

Reflecting on it now, if that was the culmination, I can hold my head high with pride.

"I consistently put forth my best effort. That's the key point. No remorse.

"Existence isn't solely about endlessly circling in a racing vehicle. Other aspects are essential too."

"This doesn't imply that I'm not serious about this sport, as I truly am. It's my passion. I dedicate my all to it."

"However, when I'm not working, I take the opportunity to enjoy myself…"

Bottas is rumored to be considering a comeback to Mercedes in the capacity of a backup driver.

He has shown little interest in transitioning to a different racing series, such as IndyCar, for the 2025 season. Instead, he appears to be considering a return to Formula 1 in 2026, coinciding with the introduction of new regulations.

Sauber to Sport Fresh Appearance in 2025

Currently leading the Formula 2 rankings is Brazilian racer Bortoleto.

He has earned a spot as a rookie F1 driver for next season with the team that is set to become Audi in 2026.

Sauber entered into talks with McLaren, who had Bortoleto under contract.

Sky Sports' Karun Chandhok characterized Bortoleto as "An exceptionally gifted young racer.

"With Nico Hulkenberg, there's a harmonious blend of fresh talent and seasoned expertise."

Hulkenberg has demonstrated exceptional driving skills this season. He surely ranks among the top 10 drivers of the year.

Bortoleto has demonstrated strong competitiveness in Formula 2. McLaren holds him in high regard and graciously agreed to let him go.

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

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"Lando Norris confesses to facing challenges – Describes McLaren's difficulties in Las Vegas as 'shocking'"

Lando Norris candidly discusses the unexpected difficulties encountered by McLaren on Friday in Las Vegas.

Lando Norris described his McLaren's performance with a heavy fuel load as "shocking," despite finishing Friday's practice session at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix with the second quickest time.

Norris, who enters this weekend with the task of outscoring his championship contender Max Verstappen by at least three points to sustain his diminishing chances for the title, finished a mere 0.011 seconds behind Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in the second free practice session (FP2).

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Norris felt optimistic about McLaren's single-lap speed in the qualifying trial sessions but is worried about his pace in the race due to issues with tyre wear.

"Norris commented, saying, 'It was mediocre. I believe the performance on low fuel was acceptable. However, on high fuel, it was appalling, leaving us with numerous aspects to examine.'"

Mixing various elements and dealing with the initial complexity is something I find challenging. I've always had a bit of difficulty with it.

"However, there's sufficient time to tackle it. Essentially, it's a mix of both worlds – manageable on low fuel and challenging on high fuel."

When questioned about whether overcoming graining issues is a matter of fine margins, Norris replied, "It might be. Honestly, if I had the answer, I'd likely implement it."

"Yet, despite being aware of it, it remains a challenging task for me to undertake, as it consistently presents a difficulty."

"I'll investigate the matter and determine what improvements I can make. For the time being, prioritizing high fuel over low fuel seems feasible, but securing a good qualifying position will undoubtedly benefit all aspects."

"There are numerous aspects to explore this evening."

The young British driver expressed that, in the challenging low grip conditions in Las Vegas, he believed he "could navigate a street car faster" than his Formula 1 vehicle.

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix globally for Crash.net, providing firsthand reports on the events. He focuses on sharing the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin embroiled in a contentious dispute on Spanish television

Martin entangled in controversy over TV interview contract negotiations

Newly crowned MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin found himself embroiled in a contract disagreement between two Spanish television networks regarding a scheduled interview.

Last weekend, Martin secured his first-ever MotoGP world championship title at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

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In the contemporary period, he is the first racer to secure a championship victory for an independent team, and he is also the third rider to win a MotoGP title for Ducati.

Martin was scheduled to feature on the Spanish television program La Revuelta, broadcast on Television Espanola. This show was launched this year to compete with the established El Hormiguero.

While sitting in the dressing room for La Revuelta, Martin had to call off his appearance because of contractual obligations imposed by El Hormiguero.

The contract dispute seems to revolve around Atresmedia, the network that includes El Hormiguero, having an agreement with Dorna Sports to broadcast certain races for free on La Sexta.

"David Broncano, the host of La Revuelta, mentioned that MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin was supposed to visit today and is currently in the dressing room downstairs."

"Just 30 minutes prior to our departure, he informed us that El Hormiguero had discovered he was on his way."

The organizers have used their influence to ensure that no guests show up here instead of elsewhere. They've applied their usual methods of persuasion, and as a result, Jorge informed us that he is unable to participate in the interview.

"He mentioned that he is unable to participate in the show, as it could lead to certain consequences."

El Hormiguero released a statement regarding the incident, explaining that it was a minor misunderstanding.

"Fourteen days prior to the last MotoGP event, we had made arrangements for Jorge Martin to be featured solely on our show."

"Earlier today, a representative from their team mistakenly altered the appointment that was originally arranged with a different cyclist."

Following the incident, Dorna, the company responsible for organizing the Motorcycle World Championship, reached out to the officials to address the issue.

As reported by Autosport, El Hormiguero identified the contractual dispute following a since-removed tweet from Martin concerning his appearances in La Revuelta.

La Revuelta released a short statement on social media supporting Martin and his team, asserting that they are not responsible for the current situation.

"To eliminate any uncertainty, Jorge Martin and his crew took all necessary steps yesterday to make sure the interview could be aired."

"Their conduct was flawless, and we look forward to having him return so we can celebrate his achievement as a world champion."

Martin posted on Twitter expressing gratitude to the La Revuelta team and the attendees, stating, "I had a fantastic evening! I look forward to returning soon to enjoy it with everyone."

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KTM refutes claims of Red Bull providing financial support amidst company difficulties

KTM's MotoGP initiative remains on course despite financial challenges

The Pierer Mobility Group has released a statement refuting claims that Mark Mateschitz, part-owner of Red Bull, might assist KTM in overcoming its financial difficulties.

KTM, which has a title sponsorship arrangement with Red Bull for its MotoGP racing team, has experienced a dramatic 90% drop in its stock prices since February 2022. These financial difficulties have forced the company to implement significant actions.

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An Austrian firm has reduced its board of directors from six members to just two, and is preparing to lay off up to 300 more employees, in addition to previous job reductions.

KTM plans to temporarily halt its manufacturing operations during the initial two months of 2025 as it seeks to secure approximately €100 million.

According to a recent report by the Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten, Mark Mateschitz, the son of the late Dietrich Mateschitz who co-founded Red Bull, might be in a position to financially rescue KTM. Discussions on this matter have reportedly already been held.

The Pierer Mobility Group issued a statement refuting the claims, stating: “Contrary to the newspaper reports, Pierer Mobility wishes to make it clear that there have been no talks regarding Mark Mateschitz becoming part of Pierer Mobility or KTM.”

KTM has made it clear that its MotoGP initiative is proceeding without any disruption, despite the financial difficulties the company is facing.

This development coincides with the removal of the Husqvarna brand from the Moto2 and Moto3 line-ups for the upcoming year. Additionally, Tech3 will cease operating KTMs under the GASGAS branding.

Tech3 will go back to using the name it had during 2021 and 2022, which was Tech3 KTM Factory Racing.

In a conversation with Salzburger Nachrichten, Pit Beirer mentioned, "We intend to continue participating in all the racing series we are currently involved in."

"No matter the task, we commit to it entirely."

"The attention has shifted completely to the orange brand, KTM. In certain racing series, we are currently putting in threefold the effort."

The junior program, starting with the Rookies Cup, remains secure. Our collaborators and financial backers are standing by us during this challenging time.

The achievements of the company in the past two decades are closely connected to its involvement in motorsport.

"We are the most effective promotional asset for the business. The organization has experienced steady growth for more than two decades."

"Our strategy for success involved winning races first, which then allowed us to sell motorcycles."

"We are prepared to compete and do not participate in motorsports simply for the sake of it."

"We are currently experiencing a challenging period, and as the motorsport division, we are committed to playing our role in bringing stability to the organization."

"We belong to a family and must support each other during this time. Our experience in sports has taught us resilience. We are committed to giving our all to the company, and we will overcome this challenge as a team."

Since entering the MotoGP class in 2017, KTM has secured seven grand prix victories. However, the eight-year period they initially planned to become serious title contenders has now passed.

In 2024, the brand secured the second position in the MotoGP constructors' rankings, but it has not achieved a grand prix victory since 2022.

In the upcoming year, the factory team will include Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder, while Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini will become part of the Tech3 team, which receives backing from the factory.

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Significant progress for an additional Formula 1 team by 2026

A new F1 team may soon join the lineup

The likelihood of a new Formula 1 team joining the grid has significantly risen, reports the Associated Press.

The report suggests that Andretti's ongoing effort to become the 11th team in F1 may receive approval in the near future.

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Dan Towriss, the primary stakeholder in the Andretti organization, is attending the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend amidst intensifying discussions.

Andretti's prospects for entering Formula 1 have been bolstered following an organizational overhaul that diminished the involvement of Michael Andretti, who is the offspring of former F1 champion Mario Andretti, as reported by the Associated Press.

Discussions have intensified following the reduction in his position, according to the report.

With Michael Andretti no longer at the helm, the team might now be recognized under the General Motors banner, the corporation currently supporting Andretti.

Cadillac might emerge as the powertrain collaborator by 2026.

Las Vegas stands out as a significant event on the F1 schedule, marking its return following a highly awaited revival last year, as the racing league continues its expansion across the United States.

However, Haas stands alone as the only team with backing from the United States.

Nonetheless, Andretti was unable to secure the necessary support from the current 10 Formula 1 teams during their effort to join the championship earlier this year.

This comes even though their participation received approval from the FIA.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff was questioned on his seemingly altered position regarding the addition of an 11th team to Formula 1.

Wolff informed the Associated Press, stating, "As directors, we are legally bound to advocate for what is most beneficial for our company and our staff, and we have fulfilled that duty."

"I believe that a team's contribution to the championship becomes particularly noteworthy if a General Manager chooses to join as a team owner; that changes the narrative."

"As long as it's innovative, it signifies that we're increasing the sport's popularity and its earnings. Therefore, no team will ever oppose it. So, I'm placing my hopes on that."

No individual associated with Andretti, Andretti Global, or whatever they are called, has ever directly communicated to me even a single phrase detailing the creative aspect.

"However, there's no need for them to do so since the decision isn't in the teams' hands. The responsibility lies with the commercial rights holder, alongside the FIA, leaving us without a voice in the matter.

"If I'm aiming to get an invitation to a party and actually attend it, I'll take a seat at the table, introduce myself, and share why I'm a great person to have around, ensuring everyone will appreciate having me there."

"That didn't occur, however, it's important to note that this is merely my own perspective, not an expert one, since there's no action we can take or words we can offer.

"I'm not familiar with everyone involved. I've had conversations with Mario, of course, but I haven't had the chance to talk to his son or anyone else associated with the situation. Their identities are unknown to me. However, I am acquainted with GM, and I think highly of them."

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

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Max Verstappen admits Red Bull significantly lags behind in Las Vegas

Max Verstappen acknowledges that Red Bull is facing difficulties with their speed over a single lap in Las Vegas.

Max Verstappen has acknowledged that Red Bull is significantly behind in terms of speed for a single lap, following the Friday practice session at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The current world champion from Red Bull concluded the opening day of practice in 17th place, while his teammate Sergio Perez was slightly behind in 19th. They both faced a challenging day, grappling with a lack of grip throughout the two hours of practice sessions.

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Verstappen lagged behind Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton by two seconds, but uniquely among his competitors, he didn't perform any laps using the soft tyre in the qualifying simulation sessions.

"Verstappen mentioned that the track was quite slippery and they had significant challenges getting the tires to perform optimally, particularly over a single lap."

"The extended session began with a higher level of competitiveness, yet it seems we still have some adjustments to make. However, our speed over a single lap is significantly lacking."

"Certainly, the environment here is quite distinct, and the temperatures are extremely low. However, ultimately, everyone is facing the same situation, so we must figure out where we're going astray currently."

The individual from the Netherlands remarked, “It's not so much that the car's balance is off, in my opinion. The real issue is that we're lacking grip. Driving it currently feels akin to maneuvering on ice.”

Christian Horner, the team principal for Red Bull, mentioned that the performance of the tyres in cooler conditions is becoming a key factor in Las Vegas.

"Horner clarified that the key factors are the tyres and the temperatures."

"In the immediate term, we simply didn't fall within the optimal range for the tire, so it never truly functioned as intended."

"Over time, the car is performing adequately, and there are a few additional problems we need to address, which seem to be comparable to those encountered by others. However, in the short term, we struggled to get the tire to function properly."

Verstappen is on track to secure his fourth consecutive world championship this weekend, provided he crosses the finish line before Lando Norris, or if he manages to concede no more than two points to the McLaren competitor.

Lewis consistently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. Frequently providing live reports, Lewis shares the narratives of key individuals in the sport.

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MotoGP newcomer shares experience of nearly having a "heart attack" prior to initial test run

Somkiat Chantra discusses debut day with LCR Honda

Somkiat Chantra, a newcomer to the LCR Honda MotoGP team, expressed that he was extremely nervous, even joking that he "nearly had a heart attack," before participating in his initial test run on the motorcycle this past Tuesday in Barcelona.

In an unexpected move during the 2024 rider market changes, the two-time Moto2 race victor was chosen by Honda to replace Takaaki Nakagami at LCR.

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On Tuesday, Chantra participated in the post-season test in Barcelona, where he rode the bike for the first time, completing 61 laps and finishing near the bottom of the timing chart.

After completing his initial day riding the Honda, Chantra admitted that he felt quite anxious before starting his first session.

"Undoubtedly, before I hopped on the bike, I felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety, almost as if I was on the verge of a heart attack," he remarked.

"When I hopped onto the bike, I thought, 'Alright, let's figure out how the bike operates and what it's capable of.'"

Chantra aimed to familiarize himself with the Michelin tires and carbon brakes during his initial test, as he had been using Pirelli tires and steel brakes in Moto2 in 2024.

"According to him, today marked his initial experience with the MotoGP bike, as he focused on getting accustomed to the carbon brakes and familiarizing himself with the tires, which are unlike those used in MotoGP."

"My team often advises me to exercise caution on the left side since the tire tends to cool down quickly when driving straight."

"I was attempting to figure out how to handle the tire."

According to the Thai rider, he was taken aback the first time he accelerated the RC213V and then applied the brakes at the straight's end, which truly made him appreciate the speed of a MotoGP motorcycle.

"As I was on the exit lap, I attempted to apply the brakes and the gas more gently," he mentioned.

"When I got to the final corner, I attempted to push a bit harder. Once I was positioned behind the screen, everything seemed fine."

"When I applied the brakes and raised my head, everything happened quickly. With each lap, the situation improved."

In 2024, Chantra will be among the three newcomers advancing to MotoGP. He will join Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura, who will be with Trackhouse, and Fermin Aldeguer, who will compete for Gresini.

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Christian Horner has suggested that Red Bull might alter their driver roster by the 2025 F1 season.

Christian Horner has hinted at a potential shake-up in Red Bull's Formula 1 driver roster prior to the 2025 season.

Sergio Perez has secured his place for the upcoming season after agreeing to a contract extension earlier in the year, yet his prospects remain uncertain due to his ongoing struggles to match the performance of his teammate, Max Verstappen.

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Verstappen has the chance to clinch his fourth consecutive drivers' championship at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, but Red Bull is up against a challenging battle to retain their constructors' championship title.

Perez has accumulated just 48 points in the last 15 races as Red Bull has fallen to third in the constructors' rankings, trailing McLaren, the front-runners, by 49 points with merely three races left.

Red Bull's team leader, Horner, has stood by Perez in the past but has acknowledged that the team urgently requires the Mexican driver to enhance his performance.

"Horner expressed to the official F1 channel that Sergio is their driver and they are fully committed to maximizing his potential. He acknowledged that Sergio has been facing a challenging period in terms of performance lately."

"Viewed from the perspective of the team's builders, it's critical for us to have both cars performing closely together, something that's been missing. We are certainly hopeful that Checo will deliver solid results in the upcoming three races."

"However, achieving victory in the constructors championship is impossible without it."

Red Bull may consider elevating either Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson from its affiliate team, RB, as potential successors to Perez. Additionally, Franco Colapinto, who temporarily filled in at Williams, has been suggested as another replacement option.

Horner mentioned that Red Bull has the liberty to delay their final decision until the very start of the season at the Australian Grand Prix, if necessary.

"He mentioned that they have complete clarity on the contractual obligations of all the drivers they currently have agreements with."

"If desired, we have the option to delay our decision until next year's Melbourne event since our drivers are currently under contract."

"Undoubtedly, as the year draws to a close, we will gather and review all the data at our disposal."

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

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Mercedes puzzled by their own success in Las Vegas practice, George Russell acknowledges.

George Russell mentions that Mercedes is puzzled following their surprisingly solid performance at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton led the way in both practice rounds on the initial day of the event in Sin City, securing the fastest times in FP1 and leading a Mercedes one-two finish, while in FP2, he was followed closely by Lando Norris from McLaren, with Russell taking the third-fastest spot.

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Russell acknowledged that the reason for Mercedes' remarkable showing remains a mystery.

"Absolutely amazing day. Honestly, I'm eager to share the reason with you, though we're a bit puzzled ourselves about why it turned out to be incredibly positive," Russell remarked.

Clearly, it was just a practice session. Lewis also performed exceptionally well. From the very first lap, he's been in excellent form, and the car has been functioning smoothly. However, it's worth noting that we're racing on a street circuit, which tends to be quite dusty.

"The speed is increasing with each lap. Just because we had a quick pace today doesn't guarantee the same performance tomorrow, especially since the track might be about three seconds quicker. It's a nice surprise, though."

When questioned about the possibility of Mercedes experiencing a dip in performance throughout the weekend, Russell responded, "It's certainly not something I'm afraid of. I believe the idea that we're losing performance might not be entirely accurate."

"I believe it primarily stems from our rivals not fully utilizing their power. It's possible they consume more fuel than we do during Fridays, suggesting they've traditionally downplayed their capabilities somewhat. Once they revert to their standard setup, they return to their usual standing."

"It's possible it might occur once more tomorrow, yet the difference we observed between this morning and tonight was quite significant."

"However, I'm confident our competitors will put in the effort overnight to narrow the gap, though I'm hopeful that we can maintain our performance."

During a break in the practice runs, Mercedes leader Toto Wolff humorously remarked, "I believe we're the champions of racing on dirty tracks."

"FP1 typically starts off strong, but as soon as the grip improves, there's a noticeable decline in performance. Despite that, it's worth noting that the difference was quite substantial.

"This is the largest size we've encountered during the first practice session, so we will need to apply dust suppression for all of tomorrow's sessions, including qualifying or similar activities."

"However, I'm convinced that this edge currently held by rival teams won't persist. It's my sincere desire that we avoid repeating the setbacks experienced previously on certain circuits, and instead, stay in contention, battling at the forefront."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. Reporting directly from the events, Lewis shares the narratives of the significant figures within the sport.

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James Vowles discloses that recent severe accidents have resulted in a staggering million-dollar expense for Williams

James Vowles unveils the astounding repair costs for Williams following their recent significant crashes.

Williams F1 chief James Vowles has approximated that the team's recent accidents have led to repair costs amounting to a few million dollars.

The team based in Grove experienced consecutive severe incidents, with drivers Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto involved in five significant crashes over the last two races in Mexico and Brazil.

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Albon was sidelined from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix due to a significant accident during qualifying that rendered his car irreparable before the race. His teammate, Colapinto, experienced severe crashes in both the qualifying rounds and the actual race.

The destruction has placed Williams in a difficult position, scrambling for replacement components before the season's last three contests, and Vowles has since disclosed the economic strain experienced by the squad.

"Your figures fall into the millions, somewhere between three and ten. It's a substantial amount if you consider our current position," Vowles shared with ESPN during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In my 25 years of involvement in the sport, the extensive harm that occurred in both Mexico and Brazil was unprecedented for me, with five significant crashes happening over the course of two races. Assigning blame is difficult, as it's part of the nature of auto racing, but five incidents…

"This resulted in the destruction of five front wings, five floors, five back wings, three transmissions, two engines, two frames. It's an unbelievable quantity.”

Vowles commended the "colossal" work undertaken by his team during the interval between the Mexico and Las Vegas races to ensure both Williams vehicles were repaired to an identical standard.

"He elaborated on the significant endeavor involved in getting two cars fully upgraded to the correct specifications in Las Vegas, despite not having an extensive inventory of spare parts. He emphasized that this was not just a massive effort but a colossal undertaking that required the collective effort of the entire team."

What fills me with pride is how, in a time when we were truly at our lowest, feeling defeated and overwhelmed, our team managed to rise above it all, becoming even stronger than before. We arrived here with a renewed determination to show everyone that we're still in the game, ready to battle for every possible victory until the championship concludes.

"Leading the team at that time was a moment of great pride."

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix worldwide for Crash.net. He typically provides firsthand reports on events, sharing the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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In the 2024 MotoGP championship, it wasn’t a crucial mistake by Pecco Bagnaia that cost him the title. Instead, Bagnaia was defeated this year by Jorge Martin, the very competitor he had triumphed over in 2023.

In the 2024 MotoGP season, the championship showdown once again featured Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. However, unlike the previous year, Martin emerged victorious, surpassing Bagnaia, who was outperformed by Martin's significantly enhanced performance compared to 2023.

At first glance, Bagnaia and Martin were so closely competitive throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons that each claiming a championship over the last two years seems just.

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Nevertheless, it can be argued that the absence of a fight in both years might be attributed to a significant error made by Bagnaia.

Following the 2023 Catalan Sprint, Bagnaia held a 62-point lead over Martin in the championship standings. At the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, last September, he was the sole competitor who could even come close to matching the speed of the Aprilia racers — Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales. Up to that moment, Bagnaia was performing at his peak and was undoubtedly the standout racer.

However, everything shifted following Bagnaia's accident at the second turn during last year's Catalan Grand Prix. Brad Binder, who was unable to avoid colliding with the Italian racer as he approached the third turn, played a significant role in the incident.

There is no doubt that if that crash hadn't occurred, Martin would have faced a significantly harder challenge in the latter part of the season trying to catch up to Bagnaia. In reality, one could even suggest that without the crash, Martin might not have been a genuine contender for the 2023 title at all.

He indeed became a contender for the title primarily due to a crash at turn two, which affected Bagnaia's physical condition for the upcoming San Marino Grand Prix and shook his confidence during the subsequent races in Asia.

Certainly, there were numerous other developments and surprises during 2023, yet their significance largely stemmed from the crash in Catalunya. That incident not only awarded Martin points but also provided him with crucial momentum.

From that point to the season's conclusion, Bagnaia often found himself struggling to keep up with Martin. There were instances where he managed to match him, but at other times, he fell short.

It was both Martin's errors during the 2023 season and Bagnaia's exceptional performance that secured the championship for Bagnaia.

Consider the crash that occurred during the Indonesian Grand Prix, the decision-making around tire selection at the Australian Grand Prix, and, naturally, the intense finale in Valencia that resulted in a collision involving Marc Marquez.

Certainly, Martin faced his own setbacks, most notably during his performance at the Qatar Grand Prix, which remains largely unexplained. However, this incident wasn't as detrimental to him as the events in Indonesia or Valencia.

Martin's success in 2024 can be attributed to his ability to identify and address his weaknesses from 2023. Achieving 32 podium finishes out of 40 races is an impressive achievement, despite securing victory in only three Grand Prix events this year.

In the eight races where he failed to secure a podium finish, one was the Texas Sprint. That weekend, Ducati faced significant issues with rear tire vibrations, although he still managed to outperform Bagnaia in both races. Another instance was the Barcelona Sprint, where he came in fourth while Bagnaia crashed. In four races—the Spanish Grand Prix, German Grand Prix, Italian Sprint, and Indonesian Sprint—he suffered crashes, all of which were won by Bagnaia. In the San Marino Grand Prix, Martin finished 15th after changing bikes, while Bagnaia secured second place. Lastly, Martin placed fourth in the Japanese Sprint after qualifying 11th due to a crash in Q2.

During the races where Martin experienced crashes, he was at the forefront in Spain, ahead in Germany, leading in Indonesia, and trailing only behind Bagnaia in Italy. In San Marino, when he switched to his bike suited for rainy conditions, Martin was in second place, just behind Bagnaia.

Apart from the previously mentioned races in Texas, Martin consistently had a strong chance of reaching the podium throughout 2024, and he frequently lived up to that expectation.

In 2024, Martin achieved 32 podium finishes, with half of them being second-place results. Bagnaia clinched victory in nine of those events.

This demonstrates Martin's newfound ability to find stability, a trait he lacked in 2023 when he was more immature and uncertain about his skills. This lack of maturity and confidence resulted in errors such as those in Indonesia and Australia, but these incidents were notably infrequent in 2024.

In 2023, Martin might have attempted to compete with Marc Marquez in Aragon, but by 2024, he understood that Marquez wasn't his main rival. Similarly, in 2023, Martin might have continued pushing hard to surpass Bagnaia in Malaysia, but in 2024, he came to the conclusion that finishing in second place was sufficient.

Throughout 2024, there were numerous occasions like this, which were crucial to Martin's ultimate achievement. Although Bagnaia secured nearly four times the number of Grand Prix victories compared to Martin, he frequently found himself in the position of pursuing Martin.

What enabled Martin to demonstrate such maturity? Just a year ago, he overanalyzed his way out of securing a world championship.

The key moment occurred in Catalunya 2023, marked by Bagnaia's fall. This incident brought Martin into the championship race toward the end of the season, providing him an opportunity to demonstrate that he was not yet prepared to claim the title in 2023. As a result, it highlighted the aspects he needed to improve upon to enhance his prospects for a title win in 2024.

Had Martin not stayed close to Bagnaia in the final phases of 2023, he wouldn't have experienced the stress of the championship race. This pressure was crucial for him to learn and understand his own reactions under such conditions. Without the insights he gained in 2023, he wouldn’t have been able to make the necessary improvements over the winter. Consequently, he would have entered 2024 with plenty of speed but lacking the crucial mindset needed to secure the championship this year.

Could that have altered the results of the 2024 event? It might have, though it's undeniably uncertain to determine definitively.

In 2023, Bagnaia provided Martin with the opportunity to grasp the insights needed for a championship win in 2024. However, it remained Martin's responsibility to correctly understand and apply those insights.

Martin's victory in 2024 unexpectedly provides three-time World Champion Bagnaia with an opportunity to gain similar insights.

There's no mystery about what caused Bagnaia to miss out on the championship this year. It wasn't due to Brad Binder's determination in Jerez, a mechanical problem at Le Mans, or Alex Marquez's oversight in Aragon. The real issue was his loss of control in Catalunya, Silverstone, and particularly at Misano.

It will take time to determine if Bagnaia can achieve similar progress as Martin during the approaching winter season.

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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Aleix Espargaro shares initial impressions of Honda's MotoGP motorcycle: 'He found it remarkable'

The ex-Aprilia rider completed his initial laps on the Honda during the Barcelona testing session.

Honda's MotoGP riders have shared some of Aleix Espargaro's first impressions of the RC213V, which he tried out during the post-season test in Barcelona.

Espargaro, who has achieved three grand prix victories, ended his career in full-time racing after the Solidarity Grand Prix. He has since taken on a new position with Honda as a test rider.

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On Tuesday in Barcelona, the Spanish rider completed his initial laps on the RC213V, achieving an admirable 14th place on the timing charts, surpassing the full-time racer Joan Mir.

Espargaro chose not to address the press, but Luca Marini was willing to discuss his discussions with Honda's newly appointed test rider.

He expressed his excitement about Aleix testing out the bike for the first time at the Barcelona track, which he considers possibly Aleix's strongest.

"He is incredibly quick on this track and has secured impressive outcomes with Aprilia here. This will significantly aid in the bike's development, particularly with his initial feedback at this location."

"I briefly chatted with him while the test was ongoing, and I plan to have a more in-depth conversation with him later. However, his lap times are impressive."

"His perspective indicates something important, and I believe he simply requires a bit more time to get accustomed to the bike, as it's quite distinct from the rest. However, he will eventually figure out how to assist us."

Mir observed that Espargaro identified both the strengths and weaknesses of the Honda similar to what others have experienced. He humorously mentioned being "impressed" by the shortcomings.

"He tested our basic model, which is the regular bike we offer. As far as I’m aware, he didn’t experiment with any new features," Mir commented, expressing dissatisfaction with Honda's failure to introduce new items in the test.

He found it impressive and plans to discuss it further. Indeed, his observations align with common critiques we often hear: the bike's insufficient torque, lack of grip, and inadequate power.

"In areas where we usually have fewer complaints, he also didn't express much dissatisfaction. Regarding the turning zone, he mentioned that he felt relatively fine."

He didn't have many complaints about the bike itself or its design, as they were quite satisfactory. However, he was notably surprised by the bike's insufficient grip, acceleration, and top speed.

Alberto Puig, the manager of Honda's factory team, commended Espargaro for providing "accurate" input to the engineers on the Honda test team.

He expressed to motogp.com that they were extremely content and pleasantly shocked.

"It's not shocking since he's quick. On Sunday, he was competing for a spot on the podium."

"The individual possesses remarkable speed, but what truly impressed me was how he communicated with our engineers. He was straightforward, precise, and clear in expressing his thoughts on the bike's strengths and weaknesses."

"This is exactly what we needed: someone with experience who is also quick, because ultimately it's important to have a mix of both."

"He seems quite cheerful, and I'm confident that his role with both our team and Honda will be significant. We should kick things off with a solid strategy involving him."

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