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

[Republikcoin.com]

it's a shame that martin has to skip the race at the buriram circuit later because of the injury he suffered... even though i wanted to see how his performance is in his new team, but bad luck befell him. hopefully he can recover quickly and can start the race faster. now aprilia can only rely on bezzecchi to be able to give them points, and hopefully he can give the best results in the race later.

In addition to Bezzecchi, Aprilia itself also hopes for the best for the two riders from its satellite team in the Sprint Race this time. And after seeing the results of FP1, Practice and Qualification at the Buriram circuit in Thailand, it seems that the Marquez brothers will give a difference in performance on their respective rides even though their engines are both Ducati. While Bagnaia and the other riders must try hard to be able to occupy the best position because the first position might belong to Marquez if he doesn't fall in the Sprint this time.

[Velvet78]

Day 2 was quite interesting in testing. Because Sainz topped the standings with a quite impressive lap time. He drove for 126 laps though but it still shows Williams can do things better this season if they don't face big technical problems. 

It was also a good day for Ferrari and Mercedes. In Day 3, the balances changed once again. This time Russell was at the top. Verstappen and Albon followed. I think it is really difficult to make general assumptions for every team according to testing results. Because we had quite varying data on these days. The first race week will show us the real strength of these teams for the new season. The thing I want to see the most is a good start for Ferrari and Hamilton. I would like to see him returning to his competitive days.

[tokeweed]

So it looks like Russell got the fastest lap by a very thin margin over Max Verstappen...

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-goes-fastest-on-final-day-of-pre-season-testing-in-bahrain.67AiLxrLTO5aQJ01DsIaZs

But the question is how much weight does the pre season practice have in how really fast these cars are during the season and how do they actually perform in a real race setting..?

But it looks like the top three with Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren look plausible.  But in what order, I don't know.

[coinlocket$]

So it looks like Russell got the fastest lap by a very thin margin over Max Verstappen...

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-goes-fastest-on-final-day-of-pre-season-testing-in-bahrain.67AiLxrLTO5aQJ01DsIaZs

But the question is how much weight does the pre season practice have in how really fast these cars are during the season and how do they actually perform in a real race setting..?

But it looks like the top three with Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren look plausible.  But in what order, I don't know.

Not only that.
Sainz released a interview 2 days ago and he said something like this.
In the past years (we dont know if where it was in ferrari or earlier back) the team was using additional weight of 15 kg to fake the results on the final lap.

Many teams are using this strategy nowdays adding or removing weight to give fake feedbacks to other teams.

As I saw I think

Mclaren > Ferrari=RBR> Mercedes

But it depdens on the track for second third and 4th position.

Papaya teams loooks the better overall.

[retreat]

-snip-

As I saw I think

Mclaren > Ferrari=RBR> Mercedes

But it depdens on the track for second third and 4th position.

Papaya teams loooks the better overall.

RBR seems to be struggling this season. After yesterday's test session, they still have a lot of work to do to stay competitive, especially for Liam who is still adjusting to his car. As for Mercedes itself, I think they are a little better than Ferrari. In the 3 days of testing yesterday they were able to get a good position, and that is quite positive. While Ferrari's performance is still mixed, maybe because they are still adjusting to the upgrade and Hamilton is still adjusting to his car, they have not shown maximum performance, but that might only be during testing, giving plenty of time until the next race they still have time to fix the problems.

[coinlocket$]

so test 2025 vs qualy 2024

Williams -9 tents
Alpline -7
Mecedes 0
Ferrari +2
Sauber +3
Mclaren +3
Visa +3
RBR +4
Aston +7
Hass +8

Only 2 teams improved it means 8 team hidden their potential

[Republikcoin.com]

Again, the Marquez brothers got the 1st and 2nd podium in the MotoGP Race Buriram Thailand today even though Marquez had slowed down and was passed by his own brother, but he still had more ability to overtake him when the race still had a few laps left and was still able to get away immediately after that. But I wonder why Bagnaia couldn't overtake Alex and also Marquez even though he was using the same motorbike as the two riders so I started to remember when he was still on Honda where only he was able to compete in front, while the other Honda riders had to swallow smoke in the back row.

[Velvet78]

Not only that.
Sainz released a interview 2 days ago and he said something like this.
In the past years (we dont know if where it was in ferrari or earlier back) the team was using additional weight of 15 kg to fake the results on the final lap.

Many teams are using this strategy nowdays adding or removing weight to give fake feedbacks to other teams.

As I saw I think

Mclaren > Ferrari=RBR> Mercedes

But it depdens on the track for second third and 4th position.

Papaya teams loooks the better overall.

What do you think about the fresh mini-DRS claims on McLaren?

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-faces-new-mini-drs-row/

During testing it is spotted that McLaren is trying a similar thing with their rear wing. In this case FIA should abide by the rules and ask for them to change it again. Red Bull claims Ferrari is also using a similar trick recently. But actually I saw more teams trying out different things in testing phase. Such as Red Bull's flexible front wing.    For now FIA remains silent. Maybe they are waiting to make a decision in case of seeing the same use as of the start of new season. Let's see...

[tokeweed]

So it looks like Russell got the fastest lap by a very thin margin over Max Verstappen...

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-goes-fastest-on-final-day-of-pre-season-testing-in-bahrain.67AiLxrLTO5aQJ01DsIaZs

But the question is how much weight does the pre season practice have in how really fast these cars are during the season and how do they actually perform in a real race setting..?

But it looks like the top three with Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren look plausible.  But in what order, I don't know.

Not only that.
Sainz released a interview 2 days ago and he said something like this.
In the past years (we dont know if where it was in ferrari or earlier back) the team was using additional weight of 15 kg to fake the results on the final lap.

Many teams are using this strategy nowdays adding or removing weight to give fake feedbacks to other teams.

As I saw I think

Mclaren > Ferrari=RBR> Mercedes

But it depdens on the track for second third and 4th position.

Papaya teams loooks the better overall.

You're right..  It also depends on how good the team is in care development.  Last year we saw Mercedes and Red Bull lacking in this area and Ferrari and McLaren taking over the reigns.  I think we'll see something the same but with Aston Martin possibly going closer behind Red Bull and Mercedes and ride that momentum out to 2026 and challenge for podiums against Ferrari and McLaren.

But yeah, can't believe the season is starting in a couple of weeks!  Can't wait!! 

[panjul07]

No one shared the result of the first MotoGP race today, so let me share it and start a discussion about the first MotoGP main race this new season.
The result is as follow:
1   Marc Marquez   
2   Alex Marquez   
3   Francesco Bagnaia   
4   Franco Morbidelli   
5   Ai Ogura
6   Marco Bezzecchi   
7   Johann Zarco   
8   Brad Binder   
9   Enea Bastianini   
10   Fabio Di Giannantonio   
11   Jack Miller      
12   Luca Marini   
13   Fermin Aldeguer   
14   Miguel Oliveira   
15   Fabio Quartararo
16   Maverick Viñales
17   Alex Rins
18   Somkiat Chantra
19   Pedro Acosta
20   Lorenzo Savadori
    Raul Fernandez   DNF
    Joan Mir   SPA   DNF

The first 5 is almost the same as the result on the Sprint Race, only Morbidelli vs Ogura who are switching position.
Great start for Marc with his new bike although there was a mistake he made on lap 7 which made his brother overtook his position for many laps before he took it back and finish in the 1st place.
Great job for the rookie Ai Ogura, he shows his consistency and managed to be on top 5 (4th in Sprint Race and 5th in the main race), reminds me of Acosta last season but maybe Ogura can be a better rider than Acosta as a rookie if he keeps his consistency.

[Koal-84]

Marc Marquez dominated the whole weekend, even Bagnaia said he just didn't have the speed of Marc. But again the same picture as last year, Ducati dominates and the world championship is only about Marc and Bagnaia, all the others have no chance to compete.

[Republikcoin.com]

Marc Marquez dominated the whole weekend, even Bagnaia said he just didn't have the speed of Marc. But again the same picture as last year, Ducati dominates and the world championship is only about Marc and Bagnaia, all the others have no chance to compete.

Bagnaia struggled a little with the smaller tank on this year's Ducati bike because it had to be adjusted to this year's regulations so he had to find a little new feeling with his bike this year even though the engine might not be much different from last season. But one thing that makes me salute Marquez is that he still wanted to wait for his own brother who he then brought to take second place so that Bagnaia would not take that position in today's race. This is a very clever tactic from Marquez because with that he at least already has a points gap with his own teammate in the early races of this season.

[coinlocket$]

Buriram, Thailand: New 2024 MotoGP World Championship standings   
POS   Rider   NAT   Team (Bike)   Points   Diff
1   =   Marc Marquez   SPA   Ducati Lenovo (GP25)   37   -
2   =   Alex Marquez   SPA   BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP24)   29   8
3   =   Francesco Bagnaia   ITA   Ducati Lenovo (GP25)   23   14
4   ^1   Franco Morbidelli   ITA   Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP24)   18   19
5   ˅1   Ai Ogura   JPN   Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP25)*   17   20

https://www.crash.net/motogp/results/1064531/1/buriram-thailand-2025-motogp-world-championship-standings

This is the leaderboard after the double win of Marquez.
He is already getting away.
It will be an hard year for Bagnaia.

[moneystery]

Marc Marquez dominated the whole weekend, even Bagnaia said he just didn't have the speed of Marc. But again the same picture as last year, Ducati dominates and the world championship is only about Marc and Bagnaia, all the others have no chance to compete.

marc was just crazy in this race. with a gap of 1.732 seconds from alex who was right behind him, and 2.398 seconds from his teammate, it said it all. at this point we can see that if marc doesn't get any serious injuries or problems with his bike, then as you said the world champion is already predictable, either marc or bagnaia. while the other teams are just hoping that something bad will happen to marc (or the ducati team) to get that chance.

[karabiber]

Ferrari looked bad in the testing phase. To tell you the truth, I expected Ferrari to look very good. If we look at the overall condition of the car, one of the main problems was the car's corner entry. With the suspension change this season, Ferrari was expected to improve the cornering ability of the car compared to last season. They wanted to increase the ability to change direction because the car's corner entry was problematic last season. However, rumor has it that this change has made the front end of the car more sensitive than desired. This causes the car to understeer in corners. The front end's sensitivity also affected the rear end, which led to a balance problem. This season Ferrari may struggle on cold tracks.

[tokeweed]

Testing for F1 2025 has begun. Ferrari looked bad in the testing phase. To tell you the truth, I expected Ferrari to look very good. If we look at the overall condition of the car, one of the main problems was the car's corner entry. With the suspension change this season, Ferrari was expected to improve the cornering ability of the car compared to last season. They wanted to increase the ability to change direction because the car's corner entry was problematic last season. However, rumor has it that this change has made the front end of the car more sensitive than desired. This causes the car to understeer in corners. The front end's sensitivity also affected the rear end, which led to a balance problem. This season Ferrari may struggle on cold tracks.

Wdym it has begun?  It's over.  Lolol.  The season will start in a couple of weeks from now on March 16. 

Anyway, who do you guys fancy to win the constructor's championship.  I think it's gonna be another close one between McLaren and Ferrari but with Hamilton around with Ferrari, they'll prolly have a tiny edge for the constructors' title race this season?

What do you guys think?  Mercedes and Red Bull both got new drivers for their No. 2's so they'll prolly be less consistent in racking those points.

[coinlocket$]

Wdym it has begun?  It's over.  Lolol.  The season will start in a couple of weeks from now on March 16. 

Anyway, who do you guys fancy to win the constructor's championship.  I think it's gonna be another close one between McLaren and Ferrari but with Hamilton around with Ferrari, they'll prolly have a tiny edge for the constructors' title race this season?

What do you guys think?  Mercedes and Red Bull both got new drivers for their No. 2's so they'll prolly be less consistent in racking those points.

Impossible to predict.
When cars are close in performance a small variation in the upgrades can lead to having a winning cars.
Like Mclaren the past year when they had poor perfomances at the start of the season while (cheating) they got the best car at the end.

About the cheating, it looks like the Mini DRS is not over for them but they found a new way to abuse it, from the pictures I've see on twitter.

[retreat]

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1064493/1/speculation-some-people-think-mercedes-running-fake-trick-w16

Mercedes is suspected of running a “fake” trick on the W16. This speculation circulated after a photo circulated showing a little black painted section just in front of that driver number. Speculation said that it’s a fake driver cooling duct. It’s more than just a fake driver cooling duct, it’s said that it’s the location of something on their front suspension. If true, it means that Mercedes in yesterday’s test session hid their true performance potential and tricked their competitors.

This season has become even more interesting after Aston Martin was said to have also hidden their true performance, and now Mercedes is also rumored to be the same. Let’s see if their performance in yesterday’s test session is similar to the race later.

[tokeweed]

Wdym it has begun?  It's over.  Lolol.  The season will start in a couple of weeks from now on March 16. 

Anyway, who do you guys fancy to win the constructor's championship.  I think it's gonna be another close one between McLaren and Ferrari but with Hamilton around with Ferrari, they'll prolly have a tiny edge for the constructors' title race this season?

What do you guys think?  Mercedes and Red Bull both got new drivers for their No. 2's so they'll prolly be less consistent in racking those points.

Impossible to predict.
When cars are close in performance a small variation in the upgrades can lead to having a winning cars.
Like Mclaren the past year when they had poor perfomances at the start of the season while (cheating) they got the best car at the end.

About the cheating, it looks like the Mini DRS is not over for them but they found a new way to abuse it, from the pictures I've see on twitter.

But could it be considered 'breaking the rules' or have they finally found a technical loophole that will make them get away with it?   

And yeah, it looks like the hiring of Rob Marshall from Red Bull is giving McLaren some technical creativity.  I like seeing it tbh.  It's pushing the technical boundaries of the sport and to those technical nuances in the rule book in what they could get away with it.  Horner and Newey will have a lot to complain about. 

[coinlocket$]

Russell is worried about Pirelli 2026.
They already tested them and tldr they will be smaller

ATM they are 305 and 405 mm large, from 2026 they wlil be 280 and 375.

However not everyone is pessimistic about them, Leclec for example is optimistic.

Still early but with smaller car slower laps time are expected.