Miguel Oliveira has confirmed that he is in “very positive negotiations” with Yamaha to join the Pramac team in MotoGP for 2025. The Portuguese rider, who currently races for Trackhouse Aprilia, is set to end his season with the team and prepare for a new chapter in his career. Oliveira’s departure from Trackhouse Aprilia was officially announced just before the Austrian Grand Prix, with the team revealing that they had signed Ai Ogura, currently competing in Moto2. This move paves the way for Oliveira’s potential entry into the Pramac Yamaha team. In an interview with motogp.com, Oliveira discussed his future with Yamaha, expressing optimism about the ongoing negotiations. “Well, looking ahead to the future, we are in very positive negotiations with Yamaha for the Pramac seat. Hopefully, in the near future, probably in a few weeks, we will be able to discuss this option a bit more,” Oliveira said. Oliveira highlighted the appeal of the Pramac seat, noting that Yamaha’s strategy to improve bike performance is promising. “It’s very attractive because the way Yamaha is looking into the future should pay dividends soon,” he said. Securing Pramac as a factory-supported satellite team is a key element of Yamaha’s strategy, which has only fielded two bikes for the past two seasons. Yamaha has already signed 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins to new two-year factory contracts, extending their partnership through to the end of 2026. Oliveira’s potential move to Pramac would place him alongside Jack Miller, who has been given a new chance to remain in MotoGP after his future seemed uncertain before the summer break. Oliveira emphasized the benefits of joining a team with strong rider support and more data. “They have a very strong rider lineup. In the factory team, there are Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo, and I think the key piece they are missing is a really good satellite team with more data and information, on the same spec bikes, to bring the project to the desired result more quickly,” he explained. Oliveira’s transition to Pramac is seen as a strategic move for both him and Yamaha, aiming to leverage his experience and contribute to the development of the M1 bike. With negotiations progressing positively, this change could mark a new chapter in Oliveira’s career and further strengthen Yamaha’s presence in MotoGP.
Ai Ogura Explains Decision to Leave Honda for MotoGP Move
Ai Ogura, the Japanese rider currently competing in Moto2 with the MT Helmets MSI team, recently announced his move to MotoGP with the Trackhouse Aprilia team for the 2025 season. This move marks a significant change in Ogura’s career, which has been closely tied to Honda up to now. In an interview before the Austrian Grand Prix, Ogura shared details about his decision to leave Honda and join the premier class of motorcycle racing. Ogura expressed excitement about making the leap to MotoGP, describing the opportunity as “a really special feeling.” He emphasized that MotoGP represents the pinnacle of his career, stating: “I’m really happy to finally make this step. MotoGP is the highest you can achieve, so I’m excited to see what I can accomplish there.” Despite his enthusiasm, Ogura also reflected on the challenges and the transition of leaving Honda, a brand with which he has had a long and significant association. From the start of his career in the Asia Talent Cup (ATC), through the Moto3 Junior World Championship (now JuniorGP), and with Honda Team Asia, Ogura has always had a strong connection with Honda. Even now, he still sports the HRC logo on his leathers. When asked how he feels about leaving Honda, Ogura was candid. “About this, I’m not really happy, of course. If I could make the MotoGP step with Honda, it would be the best. But at the same time, I have to think about my future and the situation, so that’s my decision.” His decision to move to Trackhouse Aprilia, a team that has shown strong performance in its debut season, reflects a careful assessment of the available opportunities. Ogura acknowledged that Aprilia has proven to be one of the most competitive bikes in MotoGP in recent years and believes he is heading to the right place. “It looks like the team and the bike are really competitive. I think I’m in the right place for next year.” Ogura also stands out as a rare case of a Japanese rider competing for a non-Japanese manufacturer in MotoGP and will be the first to reach the top class after going through the Asia Talent Cup. He highlighted the significance of this achievement, saying: “It’s just unbelievable. It all started from the Asia Talent Cup, and I’m still working with some people from the team. I can’t thank everyone enough who was involved in this project.” While the manufacturer change may be a challenge, Ogura is focused on his new journey. The decision to leave Honda for Trackhouse Aprilia is a strategic move for his career, seeking new opportunities and facing new challenges in the elite of motorcycle racing.
Jonathan Wheatley’s Departure Highlights New Problem for Red Bull
The imminent departure of Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull’s current sporting director, represents a significant new challenge for the team that has dominated Formula 1 in recent years. Wheatley, who will leave Red Bull at the end of the season to assume the role of team principal at Audi, is widely recognized for his deep knowledge of F1 regulations and his ability to maximize the team’s performance during race weekends. Wheatley’s exit, which will see him join Audi in July 2025 after a period of gardening leave, raises crucial questions about how Red Bull will fill this void. The team has announced that it intends to look internally for a replacement, but the challenge will be considerable given the impact and experience Wheatley has brought to the team’s operations. Ted Kravitz, a Sky F1 commentator, highlighted Wheatley’s importance to Red Bull and the potential difficulties the team will face in replacing him. “Who they will get to replace him is the big question. He is an extremely valuable guy in terms of knowing the rules and keeping the race team sharp. How will they divide these responsibilities?” pondered Kravitz. Some speculate that Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer, could be promoted to the role of sporting director. However, Lambiase, who is deeply involved in race dynamics, may not want to step away from the direct action and crucial decisions that occur during races. “I don’t know if GP wants to leave the fun of weekly racing,” Kravitz added, suggesting that Red Bull may opt to split the responsibilities among more than one person. Wheatley, who started as a chief mechanic at Benetton before rising through the ranks at Red Bull, played a crucial role in building the team’s success. His departure marks the end of an era, but it also forces Red Bull to rethink its organizational structure. The possibility of promoting two internal members—one to lead the pit stop team and another to handle the complexities of F1 regulations—is being considered, but the team has yet to confirm its plans. Moreover, Wheatley will not only be a sporting director at Audi; he will assume the role of team principal, a position that will bring new responsibilities and challenges. Working alongside Mattia Binotto, Wheatley will have to quickly adapt to Audi’s environment, learn the language, and understand the team’s culture to implement effective changes. Although Wheatley’s departure is a loss for Red Bull, it also offers an opportunity for the team to redefine its internal operations and identify new leaders. Red Bull has a tradition of promoting internal talent, but replacing such an influential figure as Wheatley will not be an easy task. How the team handles this transition could determine whether they continue to dominate F1 in the coming years.
Marc Márquez Reacts to Bagnaia’s ‘Super Good or Disaster’ Team-Mate Comment
Marc Márquez’s move to Ducati for the 2025 MotoGP season is already sparking much speculation in the paddock, especially after the intriguing comment from Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. The current world champion, when asked about his future partnership with the six-time world champion, didn’t hesitate to joke about the situation, saying that it “could be super good, or a disaster.” Bagnaia’s statement, made during an interview before the Austrian Grand Prix, has generated a wave of reactions, including a response from Márquez himself. Marc Márquez, who currently races for the Gresini Ducati team and has come off several tough seasons with Honda due to injuries and performance issues with the bike, was not fazed by his future teammate’s comment. In an interview with motogp.com, the Spanish rider expressed confidence and optimism about the new dynamic that the partnership could bring to Ducati. “I understand what Pecco meant, and I think he’s right in a way,” Márquez began, referring to the delicate balance that can exist between two top riders in the same team. “When two competitive riders are in the same garage, there’s always the possibility of tension. But in the end, that can also raise the level of both of us. I think internal competition is healthy and can make us even better.” Márquez also highlighted his extensive experience working alongside world champions like Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, and Joan Mir, and how he has always found ways to learn from them. “What I’ve always done is focus on myself and my work. Of course, there will be moments when things might get complicated, but the most important thing is mutual respect and the ability to learn from each other. Pecco is currently the best rider at Ducati, and I know I have a lot to learn from him.” The Spaniard also took the opportunity to reinforce his ambition to return to the top, now with the support of a competitive bike. “I’m excited for this new phase with Ducati, a team that has dominated in recent years. If we can work well together, both Pecco and I can bring incredible results to the team.” Despite the uncertainties that always accompany the formation of a new rider duo, Bagnaia’s comment seems to have been received positively by Márquez. The Spaniard sees the potential for a productive partnership but also recognizes that the pressure will be high. “What I hope is that we can learn from each other and, more importantly, that we can maintain a positive atmosphere in the team. If we can do that, I believe we can achieve great things together.” As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on how this dynamic will unfold and whether Bagnaia’s prediction of “super good or a disaster” will come true.
Jack Miller Addresses Rumors About Saving His MotoGP Career
Jack Miller, an Australian rider for Red Bull KTM, has been the center of attention in recent weeks as rumors about his future in MotoGP continue to intensify. After a season of ups and downs, Miller seemed to be facing an uncertain future on the premier class grid in 2025. However, during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, he admitted discouragingly that “the phone isn’t ringing,” suggesting that his chances of staying in the category were slim. But things seem to have taken a different turn when Miller arrived in Austria, where he hinted that new opportunities might be arising. Although he remained cautious when discussing his future, Miller confirmed that “a few phone calls” had been made and that he was working to secure his place for the next season. “I appreciate that people are reaching out… Nothing is signed yet. We are working on it,” Miller said during the press conference, displaying a more optimistic tone than what was observed at Silverstone. When asked by Dorna’s Jack Appleyard about his optimism for 2025, Miller was direct: “More optimism than I had at Silverstone, for sure. But we’ll have to wait and see, try to work things out.” Rumors that Jack Miller might be linked to a possible return to Pramac Yamaha are gaining strength. Miller, who has previously raced for Pramac with Ducati, could be heading towards a new opportunity with the team, this time alongside Miguel Oliveira, on one of the new factory-spec M1s. If this happens, it would be a significant reunion for Miller with the team that helped him establish his presence in MotoGP. This development comes shortly after the official confirmation of Miguel Oliveira’s departure from Trackhouse Aprilia, a team that announced the signing of young Japanese talent Ai Ogura. The possible transfer of Miller to Pramac Yamaha would represent a major shift in the MotoGP landscape, bringing more experience and competitiveness to the team. While the details are still being discussed, the prospect of Miller continuing his MotoGP career with a solid team like Pramac Yamaha is a relief for his fans and for the rider himself. Even if nothing is confirmed yet, Miller’s change in tone indicates that he is determined to keep fighting and not give up his place among the best riders in the world. With the rider market moving quickly, only time will tell if Jack Miller will manage to save his MotoGP career and remain on the grid in 2025.
Live Updates: Austrian MotoGP Friday Practice at Red Bull Ring
The 2024 Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix kicked off with intensity at the iconic Red Bull Ring, where riders faced the first free practice sessions this Friday. Ducati’s dominance was evident, and expectations for the race are even higher after a day full of action and twists. The afternoon practice session was marked by an impressive performance from Francesco Bagnaia, who not only topped the timesheets but also broke the track lap record with a time of 1:28.508. Ducati, in fact, showcased its power by securing the top four positions, with Franco Morbidelli, Jorge Martin, and Marc Marquez completing the leading quartet. Marc Marquez, who had previously set the fastest time in one of the early runs, was soon overtaken by Pramac Ducati riders Morbidelli and Martin, who stood out in the final time attack laps. Despite strong competition, Marquez remained competitive and finished among the top four. Another highlight of the day was the performance of Maverick Viñales with his Aprilia, who managed to improve his time during the first time attack and briefly figured among the top five. However, it was a tough day for KTM, with Brad Binder being the only rider from the team to directly qualify for Q2, while Pol Espargaró faced mechanical issues, stopping on the track near turn four. The day was also challenging for some of the new talents in the category. Pedro Acosta, who made his debut this season, suffered three crashes throughout the day, the last one at turn nine. Fortunately, he didn’t sustain any serious injuries and was able to continue practicing. Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio also faced difficulties, both experiencing crashes but without major consequences. As the session progressed, the riders began to focus on race simulations, testing tire wear and pace consistency. Bagnaia, for instance, consistently lapped in the 1:29 range, indicating that Ducati is well-prepared for the race. With such a busy and unpredictable Friday, expectations for the rest of the weekend are sky-high. The challenging conditions of the Red Bull Ring promise more surprises, and MotoGP fans can look forward to intense battles in the qualifying sessions and Sunday’s race. Ducati’s dominance, KTM’s struggles, and the attempts at recovery by other riders will be the key points to watch closely as the Austrian Grand Prix unfolds.
