Motosport General discussion tread --- Formula1, MotoGP, WTCC, ETCC, DTM.....

[coinlocket$]

But Bahrain is over 15 hours travel from Australia where the first race is gonna be.  Suzuka would be perfect for pre season testing with it being at the end of Feb...  It's almost spring so the weather is gonna be a bit better, maybe warmer...  But def warmer than peak winter.

But yeah there's prolly a good reason why esp with how the warmer weather is more consistent for testing.  There's also prolly a business thing going on with the track owners of Bahrain.  Dunno...

Wait.
Have they changed the calendar?
Usually Bahrain is the 1st race.
You right I've just checked, the 1st race will be hosted in Australia this year.

Well then the answer is clear...

Aramco petrodollars 

[tokeweed]

^  Yup...  It's at Australia.  Back to normal.  I've gotten used to that schedule since I've gotten deep into F1 during the rise of Vettel...  I think it was when he won a race with Torro Rosso.

And yeah, I think the guys in Bahrain make some money from the pre testing being held there too as they sell tickets to the F1 fans who happen to visit. 

Anyway, here's a promotional video to get you guys pumped for 2025.

Why You Should Be Excited For The 2025 F1 Season!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16ORlTmDwtY

[moneystery]

After seeing the test in Sepang yesterday and also today, it seems that the Yamaha Factory has indeed found something better to use in this season. However, I will not conclude that completely because other manufacturers such as Ducati, Aprilia and KTM are also trying to develop their engines and motorbikes as a whole to start this season with enthusiasm. I just hope that this season MotoGP can be more competitive for several manufacturers so that the ones in the front row are not only Ducati motorbikes as seen last season.

even though we all hope that motogp this season can be more competitive, but we can't deny that ducati dominates the circuit and makes other manufacturers have difficulty in developing their bikes... especially honda after márquez's departure from their team, it makes it more difficult for them to improve their performance. the only threat to ducati is yamaha, they show signs of better engine performance and cornering stability, and that could be their chance to rise this season. but i see that the team with the highest chance of becoming champion this season is the ducati team, for the rider i'm still not sure whether it's bagnaia or marquez's.

[Republikcoin.com]

even though we all hope that motogp this season can be more competitive, but we can't deny that ducati dominates the circuit and makes other manufacturers have difficulty in developing their bikes... especially honda after márquez's departure from their team, it makes it more difficult for them to improve their performance. the only threat to ducati is yamaha, they show signs of better engine performance and cornering stability, and that could be their chance to rise this season. but i see that the team with the highest chance of becoming champion this season is the ducati team, for the rider i'm still not sure whether it's bagnaia or marquez's.

Ducati still has the opportunity to dominate this season, but the development of other manufacturers must also be monitored at this time or before the first race of the season takes place which will open in Thailand at the end of this month. Yamaha and Aprilia could be the manufacturers that hinder Ducati from making dominance through their two new riders, Bagnaia and Marquez, but for now it is still difficult to make conclusions because there will still be another test at the Thailand circuit and I will see how their test results are all on the circuit this month.

[Koal-84]

Has anyone been following the Sepang MotoGP test closely, of course Ducati are back at the front, but for me Yamaha's performance was surprising, it really seems like Yamaha have made a big step forward, in general the test times were pretty good, and the bikes have got faster again.

[coinlocket$]

we have some rumors now.
Looks like according to some sources that Hamilton is already near to Leclerc laps time.
It is not clear how trustworthy the rumor is but it is prosiming.

According the rumor, Hamilton is more comfortable in the sf24 than his old Mercedes of 2024.

Hamilton may be already competitive in 1st race (I don't think he will be under 0.5 sec from Charles, if it he will be then he will be a shock for me)

[retreat]

we have some rumors now.
Looks like according to some sources that Hamilton is already near to Leclerc laps time.
It is not clear how trustworthy the rumor is but it is prosiming.

According the rumor, Hamilton is more comfortable in the sf24 than his old Mercedes of 2024.

Hamilton may be already competitive in 1st race (I don't think he will be under 0.5 sec from Charles, if it he will be then he will be a shock for me)

It is good news if Hamilton can adapt faster and better than his old car, then he is not so far behind his teammate Charles. But I think it is still too early to say that his performance is enough to compete in the top 5, maybe half a season, or more, but he still needs to adapt, because testing and racing can have different results, maybe they are quite optimistic about his performance in the testing session, but when it comes to racing it might be 90 degrees different. But hopefully Hamilton can adapt quickly, because the tifosi and Ferrari have high hopes for him.

[Republikcoin.com]

Has anyone been following the Sepang MotoGP test closely, of course Ducati are back at the front, but for me Yamaha's performance was surprising, it really seems like Yamaha have made a big step forward, in general the test times were pretty good, and the bikes have got faster again.

Ducati was indeed back in front during the Sepang test with the best time, but that was only seen on two Ducati bikes and the rest were still as usual. While Yamaha was able to do a not bad time in the Sepang test even though it had to be in third place with a time that was quite close to the other two Ducati bikes. And today I will try to monitor the test in Buriram Thailand because this is the last test before the first race starts in Thailand for this season and I will also see how the developments of several manufacturers including Yamaha and Ducati are.

[coinlocket$]

2025 Official Buriram MotoGP Test - 1pm (Day 1)
        Rider   Nat   Team   Time   Lap   Max (km/h)
1   ^12   Alex Marquez   SPA   Gresini Ducati (GP24)   1:29.649s   29/40   334.3
2   ˅1   Pedro Acosta   SPA   Red Bull KTM (RC16)   +0.255s   25/40   339.6
3   ^3   Marc Marquez   SPA   Ducati Lenovo (GP25)   +0.262s   29/34   335.4
4   ^11   Luca Marini   ITA   Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V)   +0.279s   31/39   333.3
5   ˅3   Marco Bezzecchi   ITA   Aprilia Racing (RS-GP25)   +0.536s   27/42   335.4
6   ˅3   Franco Morbidelli   ITA   VR46 Ducati (GP24)   +0.639s   31/46   333.3
7   ˅3   Francesco Bagnaia   ITA   Ducati Lenovo (GP25)   +0.702s   32/43   336.4
8   ˅3   Brad Binder   RSA   Red Bull KTM (RC16)   +0.727s   29/44   338.5
9   ˅1   Ai Ogura   JPN   Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP25)*   +0.804s   50/54   334.3
10   ˅1   Jack Miller   AUS   Pramac Yamaha (YZR-M1)   +0.956s   36/45   332.3
11   ˅4   Fabio Quartararo   FRA   Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1)   +1.005s   25/45   335.4
12   ^2   Johann Zarco   FRA   LCR Honda (RC213V)   +1.074s   35/37   330.2
13   ^6   Joan Mir   SPA   Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V)   +1.143s   36/38   333.3
14   ˅4   Alex Rins   SPA   Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1)   +1.212s   29/44   333.3
15   ˅4   Miguel Oliveira   POR   Pramac Yamaha (YZR-M1)   +1.243s   31/43   332.3
16   ˅4   Fermin Aldeguer   SPA   Gresini Ducati (GP24)*   +1.299s   30/39   334.3
17   ^1   Raul Fernandez   SPA   Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP25)   +1.326s   32/34   334.3
18   ˅2   Maverick Viñales   SPA   Red Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16)   +1.464s   21/38   335.4
19   ˅2   Enea Bastianini   ITA   Red Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16)   +1.598s   22/36   334.3
20   =   Somkiat Chantra   THA   LCR Honda (RC213V)*   +1.973s   25/33   329.2
21   =   Lorenzo Savadori   ITA   Aprilia Test Rider (RS-GP25)   +2.230s   26/35   334.3


1st day of testing and Marquez is already the fastest.
But don't fail for it

It is his brother and he is using the 2024 version of the Moto.

Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/results/1063129/1/2025-official-buriram-motogp-test-results-day-1-wednesday

[FanEagle]

Well, races and qualifying are different results. Maybe Charles could qualify better in most of the races, however racing itself is a totally different beast. Why? Well in racing you have overtaking, courage, race pace, strategy, all mattering into your last lap result, whereas at QF you just end up with whatever fastest you can do.

Hamilton may end up with more points at the end of the season, even on his first ever season, dude is 7 times world champion for a reason, and obviously he is going to be a lot more careful. Not because Charles is slower or worse, it is because Charles doesn't know what it takes to win, and ends up risking way too much and DNF in many races, and makes bad decisions in tons of others.

[Velvet78]

we have some rumors now.
Looks like according to some sources that Hamilton is already near to Leclerc laps time.
It is not clear how trustworthy the rumor is but it is prosiming.

According the rumor, Hamilton is more comfortable in the sf24 than his old Mercedes of 2024.

Hamilton may be already competitive in 1st race (I don't think he will be under 0.5 sec from Charles, if it he will be then he will be a shock for me)

Yeah Hamilton said those words about the comparison between Ferrari and Mercedes cars. It is really good to hear honestly. Because he can get used to the car much faster and get ready for the new season earlier. 

I can't wait to watch Hamilton - Verstappen rivalries again! I just hope Ferrari doesn't mess up with the car or pit stops too much this time. There is so much potential but they just can't use it. Just like they threw their constructor title chance last season...

Another thing I'm curious about it what Kimi Antonelli will do with Mercedes. He is so young. Toto Wolff is trying the Red Bull - Verstappen story with him maybe but we will see how successful Antonelli will be.

[coinlocket$]

Despite had making the best time on today time testing Marquez is worried about the ducati.
He said they have several weak points in the 2025 version of the moto.
Bagnaia also abandoned 2025 Chassis of the Ducati and he took the 2024 version

TLDR is not sure if Ducati will race with the "perfect" 2024 version or the not perfect 2025 version next month.

[tokeweed]

we have some rumors now.
Looks like according to some sources that Hamilton is already near to Leclerc laps time.
It is not clear how trustworthy the rumor is but it is prosiming.

According the rumor, Hamilton is more comfortable in the sf24 than his old Mercedes of 2024.

Hamilton may be already competitive in 1st race (I don't think he will be under 0.5 sec from Charles, if it he will be then he will be a shock for me)

They're prolly just trying to make everything seem and sound more exciting than it is.  But if it is true then I wouldn't really be surprised tbh.  I mean this is Hamilton we're talking about.

Now what's really sad about this is Leclerc.  He prolly feels like he got chucked to the side so that Hamilton gets the driver numero uno role.   

leclerc_sad_face.jpg 

[Republikcoin.com]

After seeing the two-day test at the Buriram circuit in Thailand where it was the last test before the season started and the engine was frozen for full manufacturers who had no concession quota, I started to see a little difference in the Ducati GP24 engine where the engine was still much better than the GP25 engine because Marquez himself had also tried the two engines in the Sepang test and also the test in Buriram Thailand. And I think Marquez who was able to occupy the first position in the last test in Buriram, of course there is also something to do with the GP24 engine on the Ducati because from several other Ducati motorbikes that use the GP24 engine, the time gap they printed in the test was not too far.

[moneystery]

ducati said that pecco bagnaia and marc marquez will use the gp24 engine compared to the gp25, the reason is because the gp25 still has many weaknesses and is still not good enough to be used in this season's race, and they are sure that the gp24 has provided good feedback and they don't want to take the risk of using the gp25 engine which has not been considered worthy.

ducati doesn't want to take the risk of making marc marquez and bagnaia use the gp25. they prefer to use the gp24 which is stable and has better performance. moreover the development of other teams is unpredictable, especially yamaha and honda, whichto show good development in their motorbikes, and ducati doesn't want to gamble on this.

[coinlocket$]

4 days at F1 live 75

The even will be hosted in London on 18 February.
All 10 teams and drivers will be present and they will present their 2025 liveries for the season.
The will have live music.

Good news everyone.
The event will be streamed for free, both on their social media and youtube.

Source f1.com

[Republikcoin.com]

ducati said that pecco bagnaia and marc marquez will use the gp24 engine compared to the gp25, the reason is because the gp25 still has many weaknesses and is still not good enough to be used in this season's race, and they are sure that the gp24 has provided good feedback and they don't want to take the risk of using the gp25 engine which has not been considered worthy.

ducati doesn't want to take the risk of making marc marquez and bagnaia use the gp25. they prefer to use the gp24 which is stable and has better performance. moreover the development of other teams is unpredictable, especially yamaha and honda, whichto show good development in their motorbikes, and ducati doesn't want to gamble on this.

Ducati did not have enough time to develop its gp25 engine at the end of last year until the beginning of this year so Ducati's step to return to using the gp24 engine which is the engine that brought jorge martin to win the world championship last season. So the Ducati manufacturer will only use new aerodynamics on Marquez and Bagnaia's motorbikes using the GP24 engine because considering that the first race is also quite close and the two new Ducati riders are also very ready for their first race in Buriram Thailand this season.

[tokeweed]

4 days at F1 live 75

The even will be hosted in London on 18 February.
All 10 teams and drivers will be present and they will present their 2025 liveries for the season.
The will have live music.

Good news everyone.
The event will be streamed for free, both on their social media and youtube.

Source f1.com

Can't wait!  It's a good thing Hamilton shut down Ferrari's attempt to make a big deal out of him being a black F1 driver by making their 2025 livery color...  Black.   

Hamilton wants to be in red.  No need to make a big deal out of it if it isn't sincere as nothing with these rich guys running things usually are.  There's always a profit motive behind it all.

[coinlocket$]

Can't wait!  It's a good thing Hamilton shut down Ferrari's attempt to make a big deal out of him being a black F1 driver by making their 2025 livery color...  Black.   

Hamilton wants to be in red.  No need to make a big deal out of it if it isn't sincere as nothing with these rich guys running things usually are.  There's always a profit motive behind it all.

Having a black Ferrari for few races could be a good marketing boost.
But knowing Ferrari they willl never do, only 1 time in the past they raced with a black nose.

I think it was due the world trade center attack if I can remeber correctly.

[retreat]

Sainz, a former Ferrari driver, told the media that this season Ferrari is ready to win the championship title. Sainz is confident that Charles, his former teammate, will win the title this season with Ferrari. He did not mention Lewis, because he does not know his personality yet, but he is quite sure that Charles can win the driver's championship title this season.

We know that sometimes the relationship between Charles and Sainz is not so good, but Sainz and Charles have built a good relationship in F1. I think Sainz's view is not purely just about their previous relationship, but also how Charles' performance has been very good that he has seen. And I am also quite sure that Charles is very ready to fight for the driver's championship title this season.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13309303/carlos-sainz-williams-driver-says-ferrari-and-charles-leclerc-ready-to-win-f1-titles-in-2025-season