Vinales Urged Yamaha to Leave the Motorcycle Unchanged During Unsuccessful Championship Season

"Leave the motorcycle as it is, I instructed them."

Maverick Vinales implied that he could have clinched the MotoGP world title in 2017 riding for Yamaha, had they left the 2016 M1 model he first tested unchanged.

Having spent slightly more than a season at Suzuki, Vinales secured a two-year agreement to become part of the Yamaha factory team, marking his third season in the top tier of racing in 2017.

Vinales led the 2016 Valencia test with that year's M1 model and secured victories in the initial two races of 2017, followed by another win at the French Grand Prix, overcoming his teammate Valentino Rossi.

The Spanish racer was ahead in the rankings by 17 points following the event, yet Vinales wouldn't secure another victory until the 2018 Australian Grand Prix, eventually dropping to third place in the 2017 rankings.

Vinales continued as a Yamaha rider until the middle of 2021, at which point his bond with the manufacturer deteriorated beyond repair, leading to his prompt dismissal following an incident where he intentionally pushed his M1's engine to excessive revs during the Styrian GP.

In a DAZN documentary focusing on his career, Vinales expressed his conviction that he had the potential to clinch the championship with the M1 he tried out at the close of 2016, urging Yamaha to leave the bike unchanged during the offseason.

He remarked, "Upon starting my journey with Yamaha, I entered with explosive energy."

"I came with a definite concept and goal in mind, and there was only one thing I requested from Yamaha: 'I aim to become the world champion."

"I have no desire to become anything different; please don't force me into being something I'm not, as my only interest lies in being who I am right now."

Upon riding the Yamaha during the Valencia trial, I was immediately smitten by it. I urged them to leave it as is. My choice was this specific one, the motorcycle previously used by Jorge [Lorenzo].

"I informed Yamaha, 'Deliver this motorcycle to me in Qatar, because with it, I'm poised to secure the world championship title. However, upon arriving at Sepang for the pre-season test, I questioned, 'where is that motorcycle?'"

"I secured victory in the initial race, clinched the second, and triumphed at Le Mans, marking it as one of the greatest days of my existence. I emerged victorious in a duel with my hero, Valentino Rossi."

"In Barcelona, a series of transformations occurred. I was completely at a loss."

"I instructed them to leave the bicycle alone."

Vinales teamed up with Aprilia during the concluding races of 2021 and continued with them until the close of 2024, securing a single grand prix victory during this period.

He becomes part of the KTM team within the Tech3 group for the 2025 season, expressing his perspective on the transition by saying, "I've ultimately realized you're faced with a choice: to be the challenger or to choose what he refers to as the dark side."

"You have a choice between KTM and Ducati."

"Winning at Ducati presents a significant challenge. How do you plan on outperforming the factory team?"

"The situation is quite complex. Even though I had the same motorcycle, my equipment wasn't on par. Therefore, my only choice was to join KTM and take on the role of the contender."

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Maverick Vinales instructed Yamaha to leave the bike as is during unsuccessful championship season

"I advised them to leave the bike alone"

Maverick Vinales implied that he could have clinched the MotoGP world championship in 2017 riding for Yamaha, had they not altered the 2016 M1 model he initially tested.

Following a little more than a year at Suzuki, Vinales inked a two-year contract to become part of the official Yamaha team, marking his third season in the top tier of racing in 2017.

In 2016, Vinales led the Valencia test riding the M1 from that same year and secured victories in the initial two races of 2017. He then clinched another win at the French Grand Prix, following a competitive showdown with his teammate Valentino Rossi.

The Spanish rider was ahead in the rankings with a 17-point lead following the event, but it wasn't until the 2018 Australian Grand Prix that Vinales would secure another victory, dropping to third position in the standings for 2017.

Vinales continued his partnership with Yamaha until the middle of 2021, when tensions with the company became unfixable, leading to his abrupt departure. This decision came after it was discovered that he intentionally pushed his M1's engine beyond its limits during the Styrian GP.

In a DAZN documentary focusing on his career, Vinales expressed his conviction that he had the potential to clinch the title with the M1 he sampled in late 2016, imploring Yamaha to leave the bike as it was throughout the off-season.

"He mentioned, "Upon entering Yamaha, my arrival was explosive."

"I came with a distinct vision and a singular goal, which was the sole request I made to Yamaha: ‘I aim to become the world champion."

"I have no desire to become something different; please don't force me into anything else, as this is what I aspire to be, and nothing else holds my interest."

Upon riding the Yamaha during the Valencia trial, I instantly became enamored with it. I pleaded with them to leave it as is. I desired that specific one, the motorcycle Jorge [Lorenzo] had previously used.

"I informed Yamaha, 'deliver this motorcycle to Qatar, because with it, I'm poised to clinch the world championship. However, upon my arrival at Sepang for the pre-season testing, I questioned, ‘where is that motorcycle?’"

"I emerged victorious in the initial race, secured a win in the second, and triumphed at Le Mans. It was among the greatest days of my existence. I succeeded in a competition against my hero, Valentino Rossi."

"In Barcelona, however, there was a surge of transformations. It was all beyond my comprehension."

"I instructed them to leave the bicycle alone."

Vinales teamed up with Aprilia during the concluding segments of the 2021 season and stayed on board through the conclusion of 2024, securing a single grand prix victory during his tenure.

He will be teaming up with the Tech3 group under KTM in 2025, expressing his thoughts on the transition: "I've realized that it boils down to two options: you either embrace the role of the challenger, or you venture into the dark side.

"You have the option of choosing KTM or Ducati."

"Winning at Ducati presents a significant challenge. How do you plan to outperform the factory team?"

"It's quite complex; while we might have identical motorcycles, the arsenal at our disposal differs. Thus, my sole choice was to switch to KTM and take on the role of the contender."

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Aston Martin unveils significant reorganization before the 2025 F1 season, including a change in team leadership. Major developments are underway at Aston Martin as they prepare for the upcoming Formula 1 season.

Aston Martin has appointed a new team principal for the 2025 Formula 1 season, with Andy Cowell taking over from Mike Krack. This move is part of a "restructuring of its senior management."

Krack will continue to be part of the team, but in the position of chief trackside officer, allowing Cowell to step into the team principal role while also serving as CEO.

In 2024, Cowell took on the role of group CEO at Aston Martin, with Lawrence Stroll as his direct supervisor.

The ex-Mercedes engine expert is set to take on the role of team principal at Aston Martin in 2025, just before significant rule changes come into effect the following year.

Conversely, Krack's latest position will be dedicated to maximizing the car's performance during races.

Ex-Ferrari designer Enrico Cardile has taken on the role of chief technical officer, where he will lead the design and construction of Aston Martin's latest F1 vehicles.

Tom McCullough has experienced a shift in his position, moving on from his previous duties as the team's performance engineer.

Although Aston Martin has not officially disclosed his specific title, he will persist in holding a leadership role within the organization.

Although Adrian Newey was not included in the team's official announcement, he is anticipated to begin his role as the managing technical partner later this year.

Regarding the announcement, Cowell expressed: “Over the past three months, I have been evaluating our performance and I've been extremely impressed with the team's dedication, commitment, and effort."

"By finalizing the AMR Technology Campus and moving to become a complete works team in 2026, in collaboration with our key partners Honda and Aramco, we are on a path to achieving the status of a Championship-winning team."

"The adjustments within the organization represent a natural progression of the long-term strategies we have planned, and I am tremendously enthusiastic about what lies ahead."

Who is Andy Cowell?

Andy Cowell is often credited as the mastermind responsible for Mercedes' engine supremacy when the hybrid era began in 2014.

Starting in 2013, he led Mercedes High Performance Powertrains. Mercedes achieved dominance in the initial phase of the hybrid era, largely due to the exceptional quality of their engine.

The customer teams, especially Williams, experienced it directly.

Williams advanced from being a lower midfield team to consistently securing podium finishes, thanks in part to the strong engine provided by Mercedes.

In mid-2020, Cowell departed from Mercedes after contributing to six constructors' championship victories.

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Chico Lorenzo sheds light on the complex dynamics with his son, Jorge Lorenzo

Chico Lorenzo has openly discussed the current state of his relationship with his son.

Jorge Lorenzo has candidly shared the challenges he faces in his relationship with his dad.

The triple MotoGP champion acquired his skills at his dad's motorbike racing academy in Majorca.

However, even though the young man evolved into a victor, it negatively affected his personal connection with his father.

However, Chico has provided a glimmer of optimism for improved times ahead.

Moto.it inquired whether their relationship is currently 'excellent'.

"Indeed, it's not excellent, yet it's satisfactory," he replied.

During his visit to the EICMA fair in Milan, I accompanied him, and also in Lugano.

"He's spending the holiday season in Majorca."

Chico was questioned about the moment he recognized his son's talent for the first time.

During my childhood, I constructed my initial motorcycle at the time when Jorge had reached the age of three, showcasing impressive abilities even then.

"Indeed, his ambition was always to emerge victorious."

Throughout his career, he has consistently maintained a high level of professionalism at all times.

"From a young age, he was ready, demonstrating a level of expertise significantly above his peers."

Chico expresses his feelings towards his son's outstanding career success with the words, "it's satisfaction, satisfaction".

He identified his most cherished victory from his son's Grand Prix races.

"For me, the initial victory in Brazil back in 2003 was a significant milestone. Following that, my first win with Ducati at Mugello marked another important point in my career."

In 2003, Jorge Lorenzo secured his inaugural victory at the Rio de Janeiro grand prix in the 125cc category.

However, the championship moment his father cherished the most was the most infamous.

In 2015, Lorenzo triumphed over Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez, clinching the premier award.

"Throughout the entire year, I stood by his side, witnessing firsthand the immense effort he put into clinching that fiercely contested world championship," Chico stated.

"He experienced an incredible year."

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Motorsport Icons Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi Come Together on the Track in Italy

Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi, both icons in motorsport, competed on the same race track.

Isle of Man TT record-holder Dunlop is participating in Rossi's yearly 100km of Champions event in Tavullia this weekend.

Participants from different racing championships attend Rossi's annual event, but the presence of TT icon Dunlop, along with Davey Todd, brings an additional level of prestige.

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop spotted together at the ranch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop seen at the ranch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3

On Thursday, Dunlop and Rossi participated in free practice on the track. Although their career journeys have been vastly different, this wasn't their initial encounter racing closely against each other.

During the previous summer, Monster Energy organized a unique track day at Silverstone, bringing together Dunlop and Rossi.

On that same day, John McGuinness achieved his record fastest lap at Silverstone. He remarked, "This small guy from Italy zoomed by me on the back straight…"

Someone named Valentino Rossi caught my attention, and I thought, "He's quite quick; I'll follow him closely."

He took me around Silverstone for the quickest lap I've ever completed.

"I clamped down on the screen, making every effort to hold on tightly!"

"I found it more intriguing to observe him. He is the finest globally."

In 2009, Rossi made a notable trip to the Isle of Man TT and completed several practice circuits.

Following the event, he remarked, "The track is amazing and left a strong impression on me, as I'm aware it's both risky and quick."

"I would never have imagined that a road like this could be used as a racetrack, and it's incredible to be riding a Superbike at full speed on it. You need to have a lot of courage!"

"It's not feasible to go all out on the first lap. I aim to complete five or six laps to gain a better understanding."

This weekend in Tavullia is much more relaxed, as the stars of the Isle of Man TT are returning the favor by visiting.

Dunlop and Todd are set to compete with Rossi and fellow MotoGP competitors such as Pecco Bagnaia, Luca Marini, and Marco Bezzecchi on both Friday and Saturday.

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KTM stands firm in its decision to initiate the construction of their 2025 MotoGP motorcycles next week, despite facing financial challenges.

KTM's head of technology, Wolfgang Felber, stated that preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season are proceeding as planned for KTM.

The future of the Austrian company in MotoGP hangs in the balance as it deals with a financial turmoil, prompting a reorganization of its operations.

According to information disclosed during the initial meeting with creditors, KTM has intentions to exit Formula 1 racing. However, it's expected that their operations will continue without change until 2025.

KTM's competition department is implementing a strategy that involves a 100-point plan aimed at reducing expenses due to the company's ongoing financial difficulties. This includes decreasing its participation in multiple racing categories.

In 2025, four factory KTMs will compete in MotoGP, distributed between its official team and Tech3, with riders Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, and Enea Bastianini.

In a discussion with the German magazine Speedweek, Felber shared encouraging updates regarding KTM's progress for 2025.

"He mentioned that the plans for the upcoming season are proceeding as usual at this point."

"Over the past few years, we've streamlined our operations to ensure that the construction of new machines commences during the third week of the year."

"In 2025, the scenario remains unchanged. Starting next Monday, the process of reconstructing every motorcycle will commence."

"All activities are scheduled in a way that by the conclusion of the third week, we prepare the boxes for the major trial in Sepang.

"From that point forward, the motorcycles spend an extended period on the road. They will not return to Munderfing until the European season begins with the opener in Jerez."

Speculation is rife that KTM may halt progress on its 2025 motorcycle model because of its current economic difficulties.

Felber refrains from outright acknowledgment but mentions that the 2025 prototype performed as anticipated during last year's trials and has been established as the foundational bike.

"He further elaborated that the discussion revolves around a model of evolution projected for the year 2025."

"Considering an entirely new strategy was not an option. Our real trial run occurred during the final evaluations in 2024."

The 2025 iteration functioned as anticipated and established a foundation. The current strategy involves constructing all devices using new components accordingly.

"Ergonomic features vary and are unique to each rider, as do the methods for controlling the rear brake."

"We are also capable of repurposing certain components that have minimal wear. It's illogical to discard a handlebar stub that has barely been used."

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Francesco Bagnaia proposes a change in MotoGP scoring: is it feasible?

The two-time MotoGP champion believes the competition should ponder over awarding additional points

Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati suggests that MotoGP consider revising the scoring system to incorporate bonus points within the existing sprint/grand prix structure.

Since the inception of the four-stroke era in MotoGP, the scoring structure has stayed consistent, allocating 25 points for a win in a grand prix and decreasing incrementally to award points down to the 15th place.

In 2023, the introduction of sprint races brought about an increase in the total points a driver could earn during a grand prix weekend, with up to 12 extra points available. A victory in these races awarded 12 points, followed by nine for the runner-up and seven for third place, decreasing down to one point for the ninth-place finisher.

Now that there are 37 points up for grabs each weekend, maintaining consistent performance has become increasingly crucial for a rider aiming to secure the championship title.

In 2024, Bagnaia claimed victory in 11 grand prix events, yet failing to score in eight races resulted in him trailing by 10 points behind Jorge Martin. Despite Martin, a Pramac team rider, securing victory in only three races on Sundays, his regular appearances on the podium in nearly every sprint were crucial for his success, missing the podium in just three instances.

"Adapting to the existing rules is essential, especially since the current system enabled me to contend for the championship until the final stages, despite experiencing eight failures," Bagnaia remarked during last year's Campioni in Pista event hosted by Ducati.

"Sprint races impact multiple aspects, adding an additional element. This has definitely altered the method of accumulating points over a weekend significantly."

"Adapting is key. However, with sprint races being introduced, there might be a thought to include additional rewards, maybe for securing victories in both events or achieving the quickest lap time."

In 2024, Bagnaia achieved a combination of sprint and grand prix victories on five occasions. If we consider an additional point for each of these achievements, this brings him an extra five points nearer to Martin in the overall championship race. Moreover, securing the quickest lap in six grand prix races contributes an additional six points to his score. Despite this, Martin securing two points for the fastest laps over the season or achieving just one combination of sprint and grand prix wins would still secure him the championship title.

Since 2019, Formula 1 introduced a system that awards points for the fastest laps, but it's only applicable to drivers who finish in the top 10. The rationale was to add an element of thrill and motivate those trailing to strive for an additional point, which could prove crucial.

However, it didn't quite achieve the intended impact, as the bonus frequently went to a driver who had such a significant lead or lag that they could comfortably pit for a new soft tire on the second-to-last lap and aim for the fastest lap.

This regulation will be abolished starting with the 2025 season.

In MotoGP, awarding a point for the fastest lap could function as Formula 1 initially intended. Due to the brevity of the races, the competitors are not as widely spaced out as they are in F1. Additionally, the competitive nature of the equipment across the field means that a larger number of riders could potentially earn a point, with the decision being based on sheer speed rather than the specifics of the race situation.

IS A MOTOGP REGULATION ADJUSTMENT FEASIBLE?

During the 2024 season, an impressive variety of eight riders each achieved the quickest lap time in a grand prix event. Pedro Acosta accomplished this twice; Bagnaia led the pack with six; Martin also did it twice; Enea Bastianini succeeded three times; Maverick Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, and Fabio Di Giannantonio each did it once; while Marc Marquez reached this milestone four times.

Although this change wouldn't have drastically changed the championship's final standings, it would have elevated Acosta to a tie for sixth place with his teammate Brad Binder, securing the spot over Binder due to having more podium finishes.

One could argue that the mere possibility of gaining an additional point entirely shifts the dynamics of a race. A competitor might be more inclined to get back into the race after a minor crash if they stand to earn two points for coming in 15th place, rather than a single point. Introducing a point for the fastest lap in sprints could also inject more thrill into the positions beyond the leading scorers.

Marc Marquez, who is set to join Bagnaia at Ducati, expressed a differing opinion, stating, "I'm content with the current setup. It's a well-balanced system that keeps the championship competitive right up to the final stages, so I have no complaints about it as it stands."

Marquez's observation is accurate. The existing structure has resulted in the championship being decided in the final stages for two consecutive years. However, MotoGP might consider taking inspiration from British Superbikes to creatively celebrate a rider achieving a weekend sweep.

In the past few years, the British Superbike Championship introduced a Spring Grand Slam competition that spanned two rounds, offering a £50,000 prize to any rider who managed to secure wins in all six races. Although replicating this exact model might be too ambitious for MotoGP, the series could consider experimenting with a comparable concept.

Should a racer manage to secure both a sprint and race victory, and also record the quickest lap in a grand prix, they stand to earn an extra three points, elevating their maximum points for the weekend to 40. However, if they fail to achieve this triple feat, they receive no bonus points.

This boosts the motivation for each session, as a rider facing off against their top competitor for the championship might exert extra effort to claim the fastest lap, thereby preventing their rival from securing an additional three vital points.

Traditionalists often resist such modifications, labeling them as synthetic and 'contrary to the essence of MotoGP'. However, the implementation of sprint races has effectively dispelled this idea, showing that significant alterations to the format can be integrated smoothly and become a natural element of the sport.

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Isle of Man TT celebrities received warmly in Tavullia for the start of Valentino Rossi's competition

Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions kicks off with open trials today

Cyclists have taken to the course at Valentino Rossi's farm for his yearly gathering.

Once more, the Doctor has summoned an impressive lineup of motorcycling's elite to Tavullia, featuring several newcomers.

Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop were among the victors at the Isle of Man TT race, joining the familiar faces in Rossi's hometown.

Todd's online posts (mentioned below) expressed his amazement at receiving an invitation to Rossi's home.

The Champions' 100-kilometer event is set to kick off on Friday, January 10, and will extend through

On Thursday, cyclists reached the farm, and the initial bicycles embarked on a trial ride.

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop together at the farm 🤝 See the picture here: pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

"Rossi announced on Thursday night, 'The initial day at the ranch has been completed.'"

"It was excellent. Every participant enjoyed themselves."

"We conducted complimentary test runs. All participants are prepared and quick."

This Friday evening, the yearly Americana race is scheduled to take place. Luca Marini emerged as the winner of this event last year.

This time, Marini and Rossi team up with regulars Pecco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, and Franco Morbidelli.

Pedro Acosta continues to draw significant attention, and Ryan Vickers stands out as another prominent participant.

Complete roster of participants:

Valentino Rossi, Pedro Acosta, Dominique Aegerter, Xavier Artigas, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Elia Bartolini, Enea Bastianini, James Douglas Beach, Marco Belli, Matteo Bertelle, Marco Bezzecchi, Nicolo Bulega, Federico Caricasulo, Mattia Casadei, Thomas Chareyre, Davey Todd, Michael Dunlop, Filippo Fuligini, Federico Fuligni, Matteo Gabarrini, Manu Gonzalez, Sammy Halbert, Lasse Kurvinen, Andrea Locatelli, Luca Lunetta, Andrea Mantovani, Luca Marini, Andrea Migno, Franco Morbidelli, Diogo Moreira, Stefano Nepa, Miguel Oliveira, Luca Ottaviani, Mattia Pasini, Matteo Patacca, Gautier Paulin, Tito Rabat, Jose Antonio Rueda, Alberto Surra, Tatsuki Suzuki, Tim Neave, Ryan Vickers.

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Who's stepping in as Liberty Media's chief? Replacement for Greg Maffei announced by F1's owning company

Liberty Media, the entity behind F1, names Derek Chang as its new president and CEO.

Liberty Media, the proprietor of Formula 1, has named Derek Chang as its latest president and CEO.

The news follows the exit of Greg Maffei last year. Maffei, instrumental in Liberty's acquisition of F1 in 2017, announced his resignation from the role in November.

Chang, who has experience in the media, sports, and entertainment sectors, will take over as president and CEO starting February 1st.

His latest position was with EverPass Media, a firm that provides live sports coverage, such as NFL games in the US and Premier League matches in England, to businesses and commercial venues.

Chang's professional background also features stints at DIRECTV and NBA China.

Chang is set to establish a tri-member executive committee for Liberty, featuring Chase Carey and Dob Bennett, to whom F1's president and CEO Stefano Domenicali will be directly accountable.

Following their purchase of Formula 1, Liberty made a move to acquire the leading motorcycle racing series MotoGP, proposing a deal worth approximately £3.2 billion. This deal is currently awaiting clearance from the European Commission.

The U.S. media giant aims to attract fresh viewers to MotoGP and elevate the competition's status, seeking to mirror the recent surge in popularity that F1 has experienced.

Chang has pledged to "back the development of our appealing operational assets, such as F1 and MotoGP after purchase, to sustain their progress and invest in their future."

John Malone, the chairman of Liberty Media, expressed his excitement about Derek joining as the CEO of Liberty Media. He highlighted Derek's comprehensive experience in operational and investment positions, deep knowledge of the industries related to Liberty, and his acquaintance with the company as key reasons why Derek is perfectly suited to steer Liberty Media into its future phase.

Having collaborated closely with Derek for more than two decades, I am continually awed by his approach to leadership, extensive knowledge, and international outlook. I am eager to back him and the Liberty executive team in their ongoing efforts to enhance value for shareholders.

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Mercedes is reportedly considering Valtteri Bottas as a backup plan in case Kimi Antonelli fails to perform in his first season, as per a statement from a renowned F1 icon.

Formula 1 icon Juan Pablo Montoya thinks that Mercedes' choice to reintroduce Valtteri Bottas to their lineup provides them with a fallback option in case Andrea Kimi Antonelli fails to meet expectations.

Antonelli is set to embark on his first Formula 1 season with Mercedes, taking over from Lewis Hamilton following his move from Formula 2.

Antonelli has become the first newcomer to join a leading team directly, a feat last achieved by Hamilton in 2007 when he signed with McLaren.

Antonelli and George Russell will receive support from Bottas, who has returned to Mercedes in the role of test and reserve driver for the year 2025.

Bottas couldn't clinch a permanent racing position for the next season, leading him to take on a backup role with his previous team.

In a conversation with CasasDeApuestas.bet, Montoya shared his views on the driver lineup at Mercedes.

"Kimi Antonelli finds himself in a contrasting situation, at the center of attention within one of the premier teams, alongside a teammate who is performing exceptionally well," noted Montoya.

"And they're marketing you as the upcoming Max Verstappen. If he fails to meet expectations, that's unfortunate."

"My interpretation is that by having [Valtteri] Bottas, Mercedes would be safeguarding their position."

"Having him is like having a backup in case things don't pan out with Antonelli, and he's aware of that."

Mercedes' bold move for the 2025 F1 season

In a decisive move, Mercedes leader Toto Wolff opted for Antonelli instead of Carlos Sainz, leading Sainz to take a step back in the rankings with Williams.

Wolff's choice of the Italian was influenced by his earlier missed opportunity to sign Max Verstappen upon his entry into the sport.

The Verstappens opted not to team up with Mercedes because they were unable to provide a permanent position on the racing lineup.

Red Bull was ready to introduce Verstappen to Formula 1 right away in 2015 through their Toro Rosso team, before giving him an upgrade to the main Red Bull team in early 2016.

Wolff was hesitant to take the gamble of letting Antonelli join a rival team, preferring him over opting for a seasoned choice such as Sainz.

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Cadillac announces significant move towards becoming an official F1 team with pivotal declaration

Cadillac unveils their strategy to transform into a fully-fledged team by the decade's close.

Cadillac has accelerated its ambitions to evolve into a complete Formula 1 manufacturer team by the decade's end, prompted by the establishment of General Motors Performance Power Units.

Cadillac is anticipated to enter Formula 1 as the eleventh team in 2026 and aims to develop its own power unit by 2029.

The initiative will be spearheaded by American automotive powerhouse General Motors, which has announced its partnership with TWG Motorsports to establish GM Performance Power Units.

A primary factor behind Cadillac's successful application to join F1 was their intention to operate as a factory team with their own engine, instead of merely purchasing engines as a customer team.

The U.S. squad will utilize Ferrari engines until their General Motors power unit is completely ready.

Russ O’Blenes, boasting more than three decades of involvement in motorsport, will lead GM's power unit initiative.

Cadillac announced that O’Blenes is set to become a part of “TWG Motorsports and GM’s team of innovative minds, establishing a top-tier tech foundation for the newly formed Formula 1 squad.”

Addressing the media, TWG Motorsports' CEO, Dan Towriss, commented, "His vast knowledge and guidance will play a crucial role in establishing the groundwork for Cadillac's venture into Formula 1.

"Alongside Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, they are set to guide the team towards achieving unprecedented levels of innovation and performance within the sport."

O'Blenes expressed his enthusiasm about the chance to assemble and head the team responsible for introducing an American-manufactured F1 engine to the racing lineup.

"GM PPU is actively expanding its workforce and is recruiting for positions across the entire organization."

Cadillac prepares for their anticipated Formula 1 debut in 2026.

Towards the end of 2024, Graeme Lowdon, previously the CEO of Manor, was announced as the team principal.

Sources indicate that Valtteri Bottas has engaged in discussions with Lowdon about a possible transfer to their racing team.

Mario Andretti, a member of the team's leadership, has suggested that an American will likely occupy at least one of the driving seats, with Colton Herta being the most probable choice.

Cadillac has several alternatives to Bottas, including Sergio Perez, Zhou Guanyu, and Kevin Magnussen, who are all on the table.

Daniel Ricciardo has brushed off the notion of making a comeback to racing in 2026 with Cadillac.

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Red Bull's reign over Formula 1 likened to reaching the peak of Everest

"Being near the peak of Everest makes it incredibly challenging to innovate."

Former Formula 1 racer David Coulthard has expressed his view that it was only a matter of time before Red Bull's reign at the top would conclude following 2023, likening it to being "near the peak of Everest".

In an unprecedented achievement, Red Bull secured victories in 21 out of the 22 races held in 2023, marking a record-breaking season for the

By 2024, they had slipped to third place in the Formula 1 constructors' standings, securing victories in only two of the final 14 races.

Max Verstappen managed to secure his fourth straight championship, signaling the close of Red Bull's period of supremacy.

In reflecting on the challenges faced by his previous team in the previous year, Coulthard acknowledged that Red Bull struggled significantly with innovation following their historically successful season.

"Having experienced a lot, I understand that previous victories don't guarantee future success. Last year [2023] was particularly successful, but that doesn't mean it will always be the case," he shared with Motorsport-Total.com.

"Making changes becomes incredibly challenging when you're nearly at the peak of Everest."

In 2024, Red Bull managed to secure more race victories than both McLaren and Ferrari, despite the latter two teams ranking higher in the Formula 1 constructors' championship standings.

Coulthard noted, “It was evident that they chose a strategy for the car, which despite everything, led to winning ten (nine) Grand Prix, the highest number compared to any other.

"Identifying connections is always paramount. When it succeeds, it's effective, but when it fails… If it were as straightforward as that, you could simply assign the guidelines to an artificial intelligence tool."

"If it were as straightforward as it seems, everyone would manufacture identical vehicles. However, that is far from reality."

Coulthard praises McLaren's transformation

McLaren has experienced an extraordinary transformation over the past two years.

The 2023 season began with their team having the least competitive vehicle, resulting in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri trailing behind the rest of the pack.

A significant improvement in Austria marked a turning point in their campaign, with Norris consistently securing podium finishes, trailing behind Verstappen throughout the latter half of the season.

In 2024, improvements in Miami elevated them from being the third fastest team to competitors for the championship.

"Coulthard expressed, "The leading teams have consistently demonstrated the capacity to maintain their performance across different seasons." He commended McLaren, saying, "Congratulations on such a remarkable transformation."

"People often mention that it's been over a quarter of a century since their last victory in the constructors' championship. However, it was pointed out to me that they did secure a win with Hamilton and Alonso. The catch was, their title was revoked after the fact."

"I had also overlooked that detail. Regardless, it happened quite a while back."

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