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

[coinlocket$]

I watched this race. It's not that he just won, he simply dominated, having maybe more than a minute lead against others. This left me lot of questions. Guy in his first race wins it without facing any competition. In place of other GT3 drivers I would start thinking that I'm doing something wrong with my career.
But really, is Max that good or others is so bad? Or car that Max had played big role?

Sky sport said that the level of the opponents in that category is not very high.
I haven't see the race but for sure he is better over them without anydoubt.
Any diver in f1 is better than a GT3 driver.

[Republikcoin.com]

Another superb performance by Pecco, although it does not mean anything for the championship but it means a lot for himself as well as for Ducati.
He only need 2 laps in the main race to make a gap more than a second with the 2nd rider which shows how powerful he is in Motegi and no rider who was able to get close to him, so he was untouchable since the start.
Well, Marc has just won his 7th MotoGP title which make him equal to the living MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi and there is still big chance for Marc to win another motoGP title as I think he will still be competitive in the next 2-3 seasons or maybe more.

Pecco Bagnaia swept the Motegi circuit in Japan from qualifying, the sprint race, and the main race. Not only that, he was also the Rider of the Match in the race session at Motegi this season, although that no longer had any impact on the championship. However, with five laps remaining, I thought he wouldn't be able to finish in front because an oil leak had dripped into his exhaust, causing the bike to emit white smoke. And for Marquez, who has managed to equal the number of world championships held by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, congratulations are certainly due. However, equaling him doesn't mean we should consider Valentino Rossi and Marquez equal, as Rossi brought something more to MotoGP, making it even more famous.

And for the next season, I think there will be differences and a level of difficulty that will be different from this season. Besides several teams like Aprilia making better engine developments, there will also be a change in engine characteristics from the GP25 to the GP26. So we need to assess this from the pre-season tests before the new season begins. Then for the 2027 season, major changes may be seen again in MotoGP, because in addition to the reduced engine capacity of each bike, the rules for using certain equipment could also change again for all manufacturers and teams.

[retreat]

well.
Max VErstappen won at nurburgring on GT3 debut it Ferrari.
This is very impressive, he went for a race on Gt3 and he won in the 1st race in a endurance race.
It is quite surprisingly that redbull give the permit to him to race, considering that he is still racing in the f1 world championship.

If it were about car racing, Red Bull would give him permission because I remember that when he asked for permission to try a MotoGP bike, they refused, saying it wasn't aligned with his current contract obligations and posed too much risk outside of F1. So if it were still about car racing, Red Bull would give him permission since the risk is lower and still fits his expertise. After all, he is an important asset to Red Bull - he carries Red Bull on his shoulders and red bull doesn't want to risk more. And yeah, it's been seen that he only won GT3 on his debut, even that doesn't surprise me. At this point, I'm sure that outside of F1, he will focus on GT3.

Honestly, I also hope that other drivers will follow Max's lead and try other races. For example, like Sainz, try the WRC or other championships. It would broaden their horizons as drivers and show them how vast the world of motorsport is beyond F1.

[tokeweed]

^  Bro, safety in 4 wheels is a world apart from 2 wheels.    No way the team would allow him in Moto GP.

well.
Max VErstappen won at nurburgring on GT3 debut it Ferrari.
This is very impressive, he went for a race on Gt3 and he won in the 1st race in a endurance race.
It is quite surprisingly that redbull give the permit to him to race, considering that he is still racing in the f1 world championship.

Red Bull has no Horner and no Newey...  Verstappen is all they have left so they gotta make him happy or else he leaves the team prematurely.  Lolol. 

But yeah, his stint in GT3 was just a kind of side quest.  But maybe he'll take it up when he gets older.  Who knows.  He obv has the talent for it.

[cande86]

Another superb performance by Pecco, although it does not mean anything for the championship but it means a lot for himself as well as for Ducati.
He only need 2 laps in the main race to make a gap more than a second with the 2nd rider which shows how powerful he is in Motegi and no rider who was able to get close to him, so he was untouchable since the start.
Well, Marc has just won his 7th MotoGP title which make him equal to the living MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi and there is still big chance for Marc to win another motoGP title as I think he will still be competitive in the next 2-3 seasons or maybe more.

Pecco Bagnaia swept the Motegi circuit in Japan from qualifying, the sprint race, and the main race. Not only that, he was also the Rider of the Match in the race session at Motegi this season, although that no longer had any impact on the championship. However, with five laps remaining, I thought he wouldn't be able to finish in front because an oil leak had dripped into his exhaust, causing the bike to emit white smoke. And for Marquez, who has managed to equal the number of world championships held by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, congratulations are certainly due. However, equaling him doesn't mean we should consider Valentino Rossi and Marquez equal, as Rossi brought something more to MotoGP, making it even more famous.

And for the next season, I think there will be differences and a level of difficulty that will be different from this season. Besides several teams like Aprilia making better engine developments, there will also be a change in engine characteristics from the GP25 to the GP26. So we need to assess this from the pre-season tests before the new season begins. Then for the 2027 season, major changes may be seen again in MotoGP, because in addition to the reduced engine capacity of each bike, the rules for using certain equipment could also change again for all manufacturers and teams.

I think that what Pecco Bagnaia is putting into practice are just all nice and good excuses for not saying that the strongest of all is and always will be Mark Marquez and that he is currently untouchable.
There are no excuses, it's certainly not up to him to say it but all those who defend him and blame the bike don't realise that the difference is huge.

[coinlocket$]

McLaren can win the 2025 title this weekend in Singapore.
With over 300 points in leading they basically just to end the race in the top 10 to be champions.
Il will be theri 10th title in this category.

It will tie the record with Redbull 2023 for the earliest title won ever.

[retreat]

Leclerc's agent reportedly held talks with McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin executives in Monza. The meeting reportedly focused on Leclerc's fluctuating performance with Ferrari. The talks were held with Andrea Stella, Lawrence Stroll, and Toto Wolff. This is a significant discussion, given that Leclerc is a Ferrari star, and his departure would be a significant blow to the team, especially given that Hamilton is also expected to retire after 2026.

But considering Leclerc's fluctuating performance with Ferrari, that's a bit unfair, especially since he's no ordinary driver - he's one of the best on the grid. If another team could offer him a better opportunity, it's not impossible that he could leave Ferrari.

[Volgastallion]

Leclerc's agent reportedly held talks with McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin executives in Monza. The meeting reportedly focused on Leclerc's fluctuating performance with Ferrari. The talks were held with Andrea Stella, Lawrence Stroll, and Toto Wolff. This is a significant discussion, given that Leclerc is a Ferrari star, and his departure would be a significant blow to the team, especially given that Hamilton is also expected to retire after 2026.

But considering Leclerc's fluctuating performance with Ferrari, that's a bit unfair, especially since he's no ordinary driver - he's one of the best on the grid. If another team could offer him a better opportunity, it's not impossible that he could leave Ferrari.

I really want and like to see Leclerc having a chance with a proper car, he never have one really good car, and when he have one he was super unlucky plus the car only lasted for half of the season before it start to fae away from the top performane.

I think Leclerc is a more refined Verstappen, not because he is better than him im only refering to is Verstappen without the agressive behavior.

[Republikcoin.com]

I think that what Pecco Bagnaia is putting into practice are just all nice and good excuses for not saying that the strongest of all is and always will be Mark Marquez and that he is currently untouchable.
There are no excuses, it's certainly not up to him to say it but all those who defend him and blame the bike don't realise that the difference is huge.

If you know the difference, you'll also know that last season's Ducati was much faster than this year's, and that's evident in the number of minutes Pecco gained last season in most full races on this year's Ducati. Last season, Marquez rode a Ducati GP23 and Bagnaia a GP24, while this season they're both riding a GP25, which in pre-season testing still had some issues compared to the GP24. But the question is why Marquez was so good on the GP25 so quickly. It's more about his talent in taming the bike provided by Ducati, and Ducati has consistently used data from Pecco Bagnaia for the past four seasons. So, this isn't just an excuse, but a fact that both riders have clearly experienced over the past two seasons.

[coinlocket$]

Weather update.
We could have some rain on Friday.

For Saturday and Sunday no rain to be expected.

We could have something official during the week end for Mercedes drivers contracts.

[tokeweed]

^  This time of the year is wet season in that part of the world me thinks.  But as forecasted would be nice not to have rain during the race...  Well it depends.  If the grid is Norris and Piastri at 1 - 2 again, I'd prolly wish it was a wet race. 

But with street circuits I prefer it to be dry.  No real reason behind it.  Just prefence.

Anyway, what do you guys think of George Russell getting lucky here?    He's lined at 21.00 to win it.

[coinlocket$]

Bottas was close to replacing Russell during the race in Baku, cause Goerge was ill.
He was really close in the comeback, until 1 hour before the race he was still in doubt.

Alonso start talking about his retirment, the next year could be his last year racing.

[Distraction]

Horner is likely to take a role at Haas.

I guess he wouldn't like accept a job less than team principal. Haas boss Ayao Komatsu says there is no progress for now.

Source: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/christian-horner-approached-haas-f1-team-over-future-role/10764192/

I'd like to see Horner at Ferrari truthfully.    I believe he'd make a better boss than Vasseur. Maybe Ferrari could also think of a change depending on how this season ends.

There is improvement in only one thing for them. It's the pit stops. 

[coinlocket$]

Horner is likely to take a role at Haas.

The line between madness and genius is here.
Is he crazy potentially take a job in a low tier car and potentially "detroy" his career or is he a genius cause Haas with him MUST invest a lot of money?
We will see.

I'm still looking for an Aston Martin new... I think he wants to go there with his old buddy.

[tokeweed]

^  Same.  I want Horner and Newey back in one team.  They already got the Honda power unit and I guess the people working behind the power unit, they already worked with during their stint at Red Bull.  

Now what would complete Aston Martin as team is for Horner to convince Vettel to come out of retirement and become the team's senior driver to help guide Lance Stroll to win a driver's championship.  

That would really make the crowd go wild.  But not in a good way and I'm here ready to see it.  Lolol.

F1 results...

2025 F1 Singapore Grand Prix FP1 Results

1   Fernando Alonso   ESP   Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team   1m31.116s
2   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari HP   1m31.266s
3   Max Verstappen   NED   Oracle Red Bull Racing   1m31.392s
4   Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Scuderia Ferrari HP   1m31.480s
5   Oscar Piastri   AUS   McLaren F1 Team   1m31.481s
6   Lando Norris   GBR   McLaren F1 Team   1m31.698s
7   Isack Hadjar   FRA   Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team   1m31.755s
8   Carlos Sainz   ESP   Atlassian Williams Racing   1m31.812s
9   Yuki Tsunoda   JPN   Oracle Red Bull Racing   1m31.860s
10   Esteban Ocon   FRA   MoneyGram Haas F1 Team   1m32.128s
11   George Russell   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team   1m32.139s
12   Nico Hulkenberg   GER   Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber   1m32.315s
13   Pierre Gasly   FRA   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m32.378s
14   Kimi Antonelli   ITA   Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team   1m32.399s
15   Liam Lawson   NZL   Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team   1m32.461s
16   Oliver Bearman   GBR   MoneyGram Haas F1 Team   1m32.538s
17   Gabriel Bortoleto   BRA   Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber   1m32.611s
18   Lance Stroll   CAN   Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team   1m33.034s
19   Franco Colapinto   ARG   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m33.324s
20   Alex Albon   THA   Atlassian Williams Racing   No Time Set

[joniboini]

My brother watched a MotoGP session a few hours ago, and I'm surprised to see Marquez struggling to get inside the top 10 in Mandalika. I also found out that he's a bit unlucky there since he has some crashes here and there. Honestly, I expected him and Ducati to blitz through the race like the previous circuits. Looks like he'll have to work a bit more if he wants to start from a better position. I don't think it will affect the standing that much, even if he failed to finish inside the top 3. CMIIW.

Edit: Just noticed he already won it as mentioned below, what a surprise.

[Republikcoin.com]

This weekend MotoGP is back again at the Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia and uniquely the factory Ducati duo did not qualify for Q2 and that is the first time this has happened to the factory Ducati since the 2023 Valencia MotoGP. I don't really understand what the problem is with the factory Ducati bikes today, but when I saw Bagnaia and Marquez trying to simulate the start in today's Practice session, both of their bikes experienced a little slide on the rear wheel so it could be because of that both of them were unable to set the best time in today's Practice session.

[coinlocket$]

Piastri fastest in FP2 Singapore
2025 F1 Singapore Grand Prix - Practice Results (2)
1   Oscar Piastri   AUS   McLaren F1 Team   1m30.714s
2   Isack Hadjar   FRA   Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team   1m30.846s
3   Max Verstappen   NED   Oracle Red Bull Racing   1m30.857s
4   Fernando Alonso   ESP   Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team   1m30.877s
5   Lando Norris   GBR   McLaren F1 Team   1m31.197s
6   Lance Stroll   CAN   Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team   1m31.222s
7   Esteban Ocon   FRA   MoneyGram Haas F1 Team   1m31.298s
8   Carlos Sainz   ESP   Atlassian Williams Racing   1m31.299s
9   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari HP   1m31.466s
10   Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Scuderia Ferrari HP   1m31.491s

Source: https://www.crash.net/f1/results/1083157/1/2025-f1-singapore-gp-friday-practice-results

Alonso was fast on fp2 also.
Did you think he can fight tomorrow for the pole?

[verdinio]

My brother watched a MotoGP session a few hours ago, and I'm surprised to see Marquez struggling to get inside the top 10 in Mandalika. I also found out that he's a bit unlucky there since he has some crashes here and there. Honestly, I expected him and Ducati to blitz through the race like the previous circuits. Looks like he'll have to work a bit more if he wants to start from a better position. I don't think it will affect the standing that much, even if he failed to finish inside the top 3. CMIIW.

I don't know if you've been following the MotoGP lately, but Marquez has just won the world championship for the 8th time, so I'd say I understand now if he's decided to give up a bit, but I'd take this opportunity to congratulate this guy who never ceases to amaze us.

[Republikcoin.com]

I don't know if you've been following the MotoGP lately, but Marquez has just won the world championship for the 8th time, so I'd say I understand now if he's decided to give up a bit, but I'd take this opportunity to congratulate this guy who never ceases to amaze us.

Marquez has already stopped surprising some people, namely in the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. This means he can only be consistent in these seasons with a fully supported factory bike, whose development data is taken from last year and then added to this season's pre-season testing. I've been following MotoGP for almost 25 years, with the competition from many riders and with so many changes, both to each MotoGP bike and to the rules and regulations, which often remained unchanged until Liberty Media acquired MotoGP.