Honda is facing a difficult phase in MotoGP, with no signs of improvement in sight. Team manager Alberto Puig recently admitted that “we’re still looking for answers” even though we’ve brought a lot of new parts to the bike. This statement came after a rain-affected test at Mugello, where the team tried out various improvements in the hope of solving performance issues. Joan Mir, who is in his second year with Honda, has had a particularly challenging season. The 2020 MotoGP champion suffered a series of accidents, including one at the Italian Grand Prix. After the race, Mir commented on the post-race test: “Obviously we had to change our plans because it wasn’t the best day to test. We went out early and managed to get some laps in the dry and wet. .” The lack of significant progress during the test left Mir and the team frustrated. “There wasn’t a lot of wet training during the season, so it was a chance to work on adapting to these conditions,” explained Mir. “It wasn’t a wasted day because we managed to make some progress in the wet, but in the dry we didn’t make much progress.” On the other side of the Honda garage, Luca Marini is also having trouble adjusting to the RC213V. Despite Mugello being a home track for the Italian, the former Ducati rider was again at the back of the field during the Grand Prix. Marini was able to work on some new parts, but the rain significantly affected the one-day test. “The rain didn’t offer the best conditions, but it was good to be able to test the bike more in the wet as we need to improve in that area,” Marini said. “Finally we had an interesting day and managed to try some new things on the bike. Now we have time to analyze everything and understand the full plan moving forward. The whole team is working hard and putting in a lot of effort, there is still more work to do, but we’re on our way.” Honda’s MotoGP situation has been a major point of discussion heading into 2024, with rumors that Joan Mir could retire from the sport due to ongoing problems. The team uses all available concessions and brings many new features to try to find a solution. “Usually when you try a lot of things, it’s because you don’t have a clear answer to your problems yet, and that’s why you see so many specs and different parts,” Puig explained. “We’re trying to use the testing team that we have, the grants, and so we’re bringing in a lot of new things to see how it works.” In short, Honda is constantly looking for answers to its MotoGP woes, testing numerous new parts and setups, but so far without significant success. Time will tell if these efforts lead to an improvement in team performance.
Max Verstappen predicted to surpass Schumacher, Senna in equal F1 cars
MaxVerstappen, who is Verstappen, who is currently dominant in Formula 1, was considered capable of overtaking legends such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna in similar cars. This bold prediction was made by legendary former team owner Eddie Jordan, who has a long history in the sport and first-hand experience with these great drivers.Eddie Jordan and his experiences with F1 legends. Eddie Jordan, who gave Michael Schumacher his Formula 1 debut at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, drove a Jordan Formula 3 car in the 1980s,so he so he has a deep knowledge of the talent and ability of these two drivers. , which many consider to be the greatest of all time.During a recent episode of the Formula for Success podcast, Jordan expressed his belief that Schumacher and Senna could overtake Verstappen if both raced in the same car. “I was lucky to meet a man called Da Silva in 1982, who was the first to drive from Silverstone in a Formula 3 car. We went to Macau in 1983, and this man, Da Silva, won the race; change his name to [Ayrton]. So yes, I had Senna in my car, and I had Michael Schumacher in my car, but I honestly believe that if you have Senna, Schumacher, and Max [Verstappen] in the same car in the same race, at some point I think Max will win. Verstappen’s qualifications Verstappen, who is on course for his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, has shown incredible consistency and skill. He currently leads his main rival, Charles Leclerc, by 31 points ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. Even after a recent run of just one win in the last three races—something unusual for Red Bull over the past 18 months—Verstappen remains the clear favorite for the championship.Compared to the big ones. Comparing Verstappen to Schumacher and Senna is not only a compliment but also a also a recognition of his ability to get the most out of his car and his team. Schumacher, with seven world titles, and Senna, with three, were known for their determination, raw talent, and the ability to push their teams to the limit. Verstappen, with his impressive career so far, puts himself in the same category of excellence. His ability to adapt to different race conditions, his controlled aggression, and his relentless focus on the championship made him a central figure in the debate about F1’s greatest driver. Eddie Jordan’s prediction that Max Verstappen will overtake Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna in the same car is a powerful statement, reflecting the respect and admiration Verstappen has earned in the world of Formula 1. As he continues his journey in Formula 1, the comparisons to these legends only grow stronger. His place in sports history.
Max Verstappen predicted to surpass Schumacher, Senna in equal F1 cars
MaxVerstappen, who is Verstappen, who is currently dominant in Formula 1, was considered capable of overtaking legends such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna in similar cars. This bold prediction was made by legendary former team owner Eddie Jordan, who has a long history in the sport and first-hand experience with these great drivers.Eddie Jordan and his experiences with F1 legends. Eddie Jordan, who gave Michael Schumacher his Formula 1 debut at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, drove a Jordan Formula 3 car in the 1980s,so he so he has a deep knowledge of the talent and ability of these two drivers. , which many consider to be the greatest of all time.During a recent episode of the Formula for Success podcast, Jordan expressed his belief that Schumacher and Senna could overtake Verstappen if both raced in the same car. “I was lucky to meet a man called Da Silva in 1982, who was the first to drive from Silverstone in a Formula 3 car. We went to Macau in 1983, and this man, Da Silva, won the race; change his name to [Ayrton]. So yes, I had Senna in my car, and I had Michael Schumacher in my car, but I honestly believe that if you have Senna, Schumacher, and Max [Verstappen] in the same car in the same race, at some point I think Max will win. Verstappen’s qualifications Verstappen, who is on course for his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, has shown incredible consistency and skill. He currently leads his main rival, Charles Leclerc, by 31 points ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. Even after a recent run of just one win in the last three races—something unusual for Red Bull over the past 18 months—Verstappen remains the clear favorite for the championship.Compared to the big ones. Comparing Verstappen to Schumacher and Senna is not only a compliment but also a also a recognition of his ability to get the most out of his car and his team. Schumacher, with seven world titles, and Senna, with three, were known for their determination, raw talent, and the ability to push their teams to the limit. Verstappen, with his impressive career so far, puts himself in the same category of excellence. His ability to adapt to different race conditions, his controlled aggression, and his relentless focus on the championship made him a central figure in the debate about F1’s greatest driver. Eddie Jordan’s prediction that Max Verstappen will overtake Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna in the same car is a powerful statement, reflecting the respect and admiration Verstappen has earned in the world of Formula 1. As he continues his journey in Formula 1, the comparisons to these legends only grow stronger. His place in sports history.
Alex Lowes praises Toprak: “He can really extract a lot from the BMW”
Alex Lowes highlighted the ability of Toprak Razgatlioglu and Alvaro Bautista as the main riders to watch in Misano after the final WorldSBK test at the Italian track. Lowes, who leads the championship after his season-opening double at Phillip Island, remains close in the standings, although Bautista and Razgatlioglu have produced superior performances in recent races. Recognizing Toprak’s talent Lowes was full of praise for Rozgatlioglu’s talent at BMW, saying: “He is now very competitive in WorldSBK. We have Toprac and Bautista, and we know how fast Alvaro is here with his speed. We can see that Toprac can really achieve a lot on this bike, and Superpole has never been his strong point; he improved a lot on the Yamaha last year, but now he shows them they are in control. Misano test performance During the Misano test, Lowes expressed his desire to have completed a long race. “I would have liked to race longer,” began the Kawasaki rider. “We’ve always had problems with the SCX tires, so we’re not 100% sure what Pirelli will bring, but whenever there’s an option for the SC0, we’re very strong compared to the others. Our bike is going well with SC0. Evolution of the motorcycleFor his teammate Axel Bassani, the opportunity to test and progress on the ZX-10RR was essential, especially with the SCQ tire upgrades. “The feeling with the SCX was better than the SCQ,” added Bassani. “I’m happy because we felt more at the front with SCQ. The lap wasn’t that good, but the ideal lap wasn’t that bad. Now we have to test the right setup for the bike for the race weekend. “Lowes emphasized the need to continue to improve the bike, especially in the electronic aspects, to be less aggressive and more manageable with the SCX tires. “We’ve definitely improved the bike a bit electronically. The bike is less aggressive when trying to maneuver, especially with the SCX tires on the Kawasaki.” With the race at Misano, Alex Lowes is optimistic about his chances but recognizes the challenge posed by Razgatlioglu and Bautista. Lowes’ praise for Toprak shows respect and admiration for a competitor who has shown he is capable of getting the most out of his BMW, highlighting the growing competition in the championship. The 2024 season promises to be intense, with high-powered drivers fighting for every point and every win.
Gigi Dall’Igna: “Marquez is the right choice” | “Best team in Ducati’s history”
Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna has confirmed that Marc Marquez will be the new rider for the Ducati factory team in 2025,2025, alongside Francesco Bagnia. This decision was made after much thought and a few sleepless nights. Dall’Igna believes that, with Marquez and Bagnia, Ducati will have the best team in its history. A tough decision Dall’Igna admitted that the choice between Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez was extremely difficult. “It was a complex decision, from a sporting point of view and from a human point of view, because no driver went off the line. There was no inconsistency,” he told SkySport.it. The final decision was made at Mugello on Sunday after much internal debate and strategic consideration. Marquez’s Choice Despite the odds, Dall’Igna is convinced that Marquez is the right choice. “I’ve changed my mind several times these days, but in the end,end, I’m convinced that Marquez is the right choice. We have the best team in the history of Ducati. I’m really happy,” he said. With eight world titles combined——six for Marquez and two for Bagnia—the duo is expected to take Ducati to new heights. Marquez Performance at Ducati Marquez, even competing with the one-year-old Desmosedici, managed to stand out among the eight Ducati riders. This performance was crucial to Dall’Igna’s decision. “The awareness that has been gained in recent months can make a difference with our bikes,” Dall’Igna said. “Our bike has reached incredible levels, so having two riders like Marquez and Bagnia increases our chances of winning the world championship, which is our goal.” Comparison between Bagnaia and Marquez Dall’Igna believes Bagnaia and Marquez are champions of equal caliber, and both will have equal terms in the team. “They’re two champions. They’re determined. They’ve both suffered, and they know how to suffer,” he said. “Right now, you can see the spirit of the champions. In my opinion, yes, they will play on equal terms.” The future of George Martin and Enia Bastianini While Martin signed with Aprilia on Monday night, Bagnaia’s current teammate Enea Bastianini has been tipped to join KTM with a seat at Tech3. Dall’Igna expressed his desire to keep both drivers, but ultimately had to choose between Martin and Marquez. “We tried until the end, until we realized it was no longer possible. The solution was to bet on Martin or on Marquez. It was also a difficult decision, but in the end, we chose Marc,” he explained. With Marquez and Bagnaia together, Ducati is set for an exciting season in 2025. Dall’Igna’s strategic decision reflects confidence in the ability of these two exceptional riders to lead the team to new successes, consolidating Ducati’s position at the top of MotoGP.
Isle of Man TT: Live updates from the Sidecar TT
Today’s Isle of Man TT featured exciting sidecar racing despite interruptions caused by the weather. Here are the latest updates on today’s events: 14:19: Side Team TT: Race Start Finally, the second sidecar TT race of the day began. This race was restarted after a red flag on the first lap. The anxiety was palpable among the spectators as the riders prepared for the challenge. 14:23: Glen Helen, Round 1 The Crowe brothers were the first to cross Glen Helen, setting a strong pace early in the race. 14:25: Ballag, round 1 Crowe’s lead continued to strengthen, with Birchall and Rousseau following in second, while Blackstock and Rosney took third. 14:28 Ramsey, Round 1 Crowe’s advantage increased to 7 seconds over Birchall and Rousseau. The pair showed impressive skills in navigating the course’s challenging turns. 14:34: Grandstand, round 1 The Crowes arrived at the stand with a 9-second lead. Their performance was impeccable, with all eyes on them. 14:42: Glen Helen, Round 2 At the start of the second lap, the Crowes extended their lead even further, now 13 seconds ahead of Birchall and Rousseau. Molyneux and Roberts were third, followed by Blackstock and Rosney and Founds and Gibbons. 14:47: Ramsey, round 2 Crowe’s lead reached 18 seconds. The pair continued to show impressive skill throughout the circuit. 14:51: Bungalow, Round 2 Crowe’s lead grew to 21 seconds. Victory was within reach, with only a fraction of the race remaining. 14:55: Crowe wins! Ryan and Callum Crowe crossed the finish line and won the second Sidecar TT race of the week. It was a brilliant performance from start to finish, giving them a well-deserved win. Final standings – Sidecar TT Race 2:1. Krou/Krou2. Birchall/Rousseau3. Molyneux/Roberts4. Founds/Gibbons5. Blackstock/Rosney6. Ramsden/Ramsden7. Holden/Claeys8. Block/Rostron9. Saunders/Saunders10. Dawson/Sims Weather Updates Due to the adverse weather conditions, with wet roads a major problem, race officials have confirmed that there will be no racing this afternoon. The Clerk of the Course announced that a revised schedule would be released shortly. The roads around the TT Mountain Course will remain closed until further notice. Recap of the day Despite the difficult weather, it was an exciting day for the team’s fans. The Crowe brothers’ dominant victory will be remembered as one of the great moments of this edition of the Isle of Man TT. With more races planned for the coming days, fans can’t wait to see more action and adrenaline on the Isle of Man.
