Motorsport Week https://www.motorsportweek.com/ Motorsport Week is an independent, FIA accredited motorsport website delivering the latest Formula 1, Formula E, GP2, GP3, WEC, IndyCar, Nascar, Formula 3, WRC, WRX, DTM, IMSA and MotoGP news and results. Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:53:57 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cropped-favicon-1-32x32.png Motorsport Week https://www.motorsportweek.com/ 32 32 Barni Spark Racing confirms Alvaro Bautista for 2026 WorldSBK season https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/26/barni-spark-racing-confirms-alvaro-bautista-for-2026-worldsbk-season/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/26/barni-spark-racing-confirms-alvaro-bautista-for-2026-worldsbk-season/#respond Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:52:30 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220207

Two-time WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista has agreed to join Barni Spark Racing for the 2026 campaign.

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Two-time WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista has agreed to join Barni Spark Racing for the 2026 campaign.

The Spaniard will leave the factory Ducati outfit for a second time after it decided to replace him with fellow countryman Iker Lecuona.

Bautista’s future in WorldSBK had been uncertain since Ducati chose not to exercise the second year of his 1+1 contract.

After reported talks with six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea fell through, Barni Spark presented a deal with the 40-year-old.

Bautista’s extensive knowledge of the Panigale is believed to have made him an attractive option ahead of the debut of Ducati’s new V4R model in 2026.

He will replace Italian rider Danilo Petrucci, who agreed to join BMW on a one-year deal earlier this year.

 “I want to thank Barni for the trust and interest he has shown in me,” Bautista shared.

“Right after the announcement that I would be free for the 2026 season, he contacted me without hesitation and that means a lot to me.

“I’m happy to remain in the Ducati family, where I have already achieved success and I believe that together with Barni we can reach great results.

“The team is constantly growing season after season, and this agreement represents another step forward.

“It will take commitment since I’ll be working with new people, but I’m confident because I see in Barni great motivation and a strong competitive spirit. I want to prove that I can still win.

“The last two years have not been easy due to the new regulations, but now with the new Panigale V4 and Ducati’s support, we’ll have everything we need to be competitive.

“The goal is to reach our maximum potential and from there aim even higher.”

Barni Spark Racing Team Principal Marco Barnabo stated: “We are proud to welcome Alvaro to our team for the upcoming season.

“For a private team, having a three-time World Champion is a source of great satisfaction and proves the solid credibility and stature of our team.

“Important challenges await us, but that’s exactly what drives us to constantly improve.

“Alvaro is still proving his worth today, and we are certain he can give us a fundamental contribution to continue growing.”

READ MORE – Six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea announces retirement after the 2025 season

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Mercedes reveals biggest challenge it will encounter with new 2026 F1 power units https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/26/mercedes-reveals-biggest-challenge-it-will-encounter-with-new-2026-f1-power-units/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/26/mercedes-reveals-biggest-challenge-it-will-encounter-with-new-2026-f1-power-units/#respond Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:09:10 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220545 Mercedes will supply four teams again in 2026

Mercedes Chief Communications Officer Bradley Lord has named the biggest "challenge" the team is gearing up to face with the 2026 F1 engine regulations.

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Mercedes will supply four teams again in 2026

Mercedes Chief Communications Officer Bradley Lord has named the biggest “challenge” the team is gearing up to face with the 2026 Formula 1 engine regulations.

The latest power unit rule-set is set to completely overhaul the engine formula – with the removal of the MGU-H and a 50-50 hybrid propulsion system.

Naturally, one of the biggest factors in deciding which engine manufacturer has the legs over its rivals is the reliability and performance it can derive from its power unit.

In the past, this has boiled down to how quickly a team can extract data and convert it into solutions.

For Mercedes, who are tipped to lead the engine race from the start, Lord believes that its position as an engine supplier in the paddock is one of the biggest advantages.

“I think supplying multiple teams as a power unit manufacturer, the reason you do it is because it gives you exactly that [an advantage], particularly on reliability and proving our technology,” he said.

This season, the German marque supplies engines to Williams, Aston Martin and reigning Constructors’ champions McLaren.

From 2026 onwards, Aston Martin will be replaced by Alpine. And while having three teams feeding back essential data to boost Mercedes’ engine development, Lord also envisaged a logistical hurdle that could pose a “challenge”.

“There’s an advantage to that. It also comes at a… cost is the wrong word, but it brings with it the challenge of needing to have more parts ready, more power units ready, more products ready sooner, in order to enable those four teams to go testing and go racing and things like that,” he continued.

“So it’s not without challenge, but one of the upsides is certainly that you get more extensive prove-out mileage, and you’re learning at a faster rate thanks to the mileage that all eight power units will be doing at the first race weekend.

“That will certainly be positive. Equally, if you find challenges, you have eight sets of solutions that you need to deliver, not just two or four or six.

“So there are sort of upsides and downsides to it, but we believe that the upside of that learning outweighs the downsides.”

The 2026 F1 engines have been under a lot of scrutiny
The 2026 F1 engines have been under a lot of scrutiny

What Mercedes expects with 2026 regulations

The 50-50 split between the internal cumbstion unit and electric output has raised a few concerns in the paddock about the drivability of the 2026 cars.

Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll have been vocal about how they feel that the technical regulations will impede drivers in fast, flowing circuits like Suzuka or Spa Francorchamps.

However, Lord relayed the initial feelings the team’s reserve driver Valtteri Bottas had to deliver after testing a prototype of the 2026 F1 car on the simulator.

“He said that, by the time we get to the start of next season, actually, it won’t be the same as it has been this year, but we’ll be in a situation where it will be something that feels very familiar,” revealed Lord.

“The focus is on how to extract more performance. How can we overtake here? How can we optimise lap time rather than anything else?

“So I think we will all be going on a journey as stakeholders in and fans of Formula 1, to understand the racing and to explain that to the fans as well, what’s changing and why it’s changing.

“But Melbourne 2026, it will be Formula 1 as we know it, and when the lights go out, it will be racing as we know it, and we will see people fighting tooth and nail to win the grand prix.”

READ MORE – FIA keen to avoid ‘overburdening’ F1 drivers with 2026 regulations

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Pierre Gasly reveals ‘strong bond’ with Flavio Briatore as Alpine aims for F1 glory https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/26/pierre-gasly-reveals-strong-bond-with-flavio-briatore-as-alpine-aims-for-f1-glory/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/26/pierre-gasly-reveals-strong-bond-with-flavio-briatore-as-alpine-aims-for-f1-glory/#respond Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:38:38 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220549 Pierre Gasly has revealed the "stronger bond" he has created with Flavio Briatore at Alpine

Pierre Gasly has revealed how he and Flavio Briatore have created a "stronger bond" the longer they work together, as Alpine aim to reach the top of F1.

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Pierre Gasly has revealed the "stronger bond" he has created with Flavio Briatore at Alpine

Pierre Gasly has revealed how he and Flavio Briatore have created a “stronger bond” the longer they work together, as Alpine aim to reach the top of Formula 1.

The Italian re-entered the F1 fold as Executive Advisor at the Enstone-based squad last May, where he enjoyed successful stints at the helm of Benetton and Renault.

Since this May, Briatore has been back in his usual territory on the pit wall, acting as de facto Team Principal, after the resignation of former boss Oliver Oakes.

But the team has not enjoyed a happy season, failing to capitalise on its late-season surge in 2024, in which it snatched sixth in the Constructors’ Championship from Haas.

The A525 challenger has been the runt of the F1 litter this year, and Gasly has worked minor miracles to secure all the 20 points it has secured so far.

It appears that Gasly and Briatore are enjoying a healthy working relationship, something he has confirmed, praising his unlimited quest for putting the team in the big time.

“I must say, [the media] probably knows him and has more stories than I because I only really got to know him since he arrived last year,” Gasly told RacingNews365.

“You need time to open up and understand each other’s personalities, and at the start, it was all-track focused. 

“The more we work together, we create a stronger bond and now we have started to know a bit more about each person and how we act.

“He invited me onto his boat, and I spent some time with him, and it is good to see what his vision is, what he wants from the team. He’s been a very successful businessman and has a lot of experience in F1, but also outside of F1. He is a true leader.”

Gasly said that his and Briatore’s goals are very much aligned, saying that he wants to help create an Alpine team that will ultimately enable him to challenge for victories.

“That is what I want at the end of the day, I want to win, and that is what I want in my career,” he said.

“I want to finish my career knowing I don’t want to compete in F1, I want to win in F1, and I want to build a team that can give me a car to race and fight for wins.

“Some teams, obviously, want it, but the reality is they’ll always settle for the midfield. Flavio doesn’t have any limits, not even the sky is the limit for Flavio. 

“He is really committed to Formula 1 and the team to put Enstone back on top as he did some years ago, and obviously things have evolved, but he’s very much aware of that and he wants to make it happen, and is putting the work in.”

Pierre Gasly has led the line during a difficult 2025 season for Alpine
Pierre Gasly has led the line during a difficult 2025 season for Alpine

Gasly believes Alpine is ‘in a decent place’ for 2026

Gasly expanded on how he is observing Briatore oversee a change of mentality within Enstone, further aided by the arrival of new personnel, including Steve Nielsen as Managing Director.

“I have a very good relationship with Flavio and the key management in the team, and I can really see where their mindset is, the processes that are changing and what is actually evolving,” he said.

“I would be worried right now if nothing changed because we’re obviously not in a good place, but we have a lot of great people, we have great staff, and we are adding key people to the factory. 

“We are starting with brand-new regulations, and fortunately, with the situation we are in, we have more wind-tunnel time for next season compared to the other teams.”

Gasly acknowledged that there will have to be a time to adapt from being a works team to a customer, as it will be with Mercedes next year, but believes there are good foundations in place for the year ahead.

“We have the change of engine manufacturer, which is going to take some adaptation, but we know that on paper, we are in a decent place for next year,” he explained.

“So for me, I’m just trying to grind my way through 2025, keeping my motivation up, and whenever I have a steering wheel in my hands, I need to give my best to deliver the best job I can.”

“It can be finding personal challenges to keep me motivated and also building the team that I need next year if we have a car which can fight for the top five or podiums or wins”

READ MOREThe revised role Pierre Gasly is revelling in at Alpine in F1 2025

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Lewis Hamilton vows to ‘keep going’ ahead of F1’s return from summer break https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/lewis-hamilton-vows-to-keep-going-ahead-of-f1s-return-from-summer-break/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/lewis-hamilton-vows-to-keep-going-ahead-of-f1s-return-from-summer-break/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220540 Lewis Hamilton has taken to social media to reassure fans of his motivation to continue despite a difficult F1 season so far

Lewis Hamilton has vowed to "keep going, even when it's difficult" in a social media post ahead of F1's return from its summer break this weekend.

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Lewis Hamilton has taken to social media to reassure fans of his motivation to continue despite a difficult F1 season so far

Lewis Hamilton has vowed to “keep going, even when it’s difficult” in a social media post ahead of Formula 1‘s return from its summer break this weekend.

The Brit has cut a miserable figure for much of his first season with Ferrari, amid a string of poor results by his own usually high standard.

Hamilton has encountered a plethora of issues with the Scuderia’s SF-25 this year, seeing him take just one solitary victory, coming in the China Sprint Race.

In a full Grand Prix, Hamilton has yet to take a podium finish, with four fourth-place finishes the best he has offered so far.

Over much of the season, he has been unable to match team-mate Charles Leclerc, his misery culminating in a Q2 exit from qualifying for the last round in Hungary.

It was this that led to a shocking post-qualifying comment that Ferrari should “change driver” after his “useless” performance, with Leclerc taking pole position in the same car.

Some have also speculated whether the 40-year-old’s time in the sport is at an end, with former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone suggesting possible replacements for him.

Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most pole positions at the Hungaroring
Lewis Hamilton has yet to finish on the podium this season, after taking a solitary victory in the China Sprint Race

But taking to his Instagram ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton conveyed a sense of rediscovered motivation.

“I’m always so grateful for this time, for the opportunity to rest and recharge,” he wrote.

“There’s a lot I’ve been meditating on. Every one of us is up against so much, both individually and globally.

“It’s so important that we embrace the light of truth and love and take care of ourselves so that we can better take care of others.

“We can’t look away. We have to keep going, even when it’s difficult.”

Ferrari, which has managed to produce an upgrade for its floor and rear suspension – two areas causing performance and results to suffer – will be hopeful of giving Hamilton a car able to compete starting in Zandvoort.

Hamilton currently sits sixth in the Drivers’ Championship with 109 points, 40 off fifth-placed Leclerc.

READ MOREFerrari teases possible historic F1 celebration at Italian GP

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FIA keen to avoid ‘overburdening’ F1 drivers with 2026 regulations https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/fia-keen-to-avoid-overburdening-f1-drivers-with-2026-regulations/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/fia-keen-to-avoid-overburdening-f1-drivers-with-2026-regulations/#respond Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:45:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220512 F1 will see a new set of regulations in 2026

The FIA's Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis has said Formula 1's upcoming regulation changes are not designed to "overburden" drivers.

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F1 will see a new set of regulations in 2026

The FIA‘s Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis has said Formula 1‘s upcoming regulation changes are not designed to “overburden” drivers.

2026 will see some of the most radical technical regulation changes in F1’s history, and the topic has already drawn contrasting opinions across the board.

Further electrification and aerodynamic changes will see a contrast from current machines, leading to a change in how drivers will tackle the cars.

Regardless of personal opinion, F1 drivers have indicated that there will be a significant challenge from the new cars, with further onus on their skill than the car.

Williams’ Alex Albon has discussed the complexities of the 2026 cars, and said that the most intelligent drivers will be able to “abuse the system”.

His Team Principal James Vowles has also been vocal in his assertion that drivers are going to experience a “very difficult” workload behind the wheel.

Tombazis, in an interview with Autosport, appeared to attempt to quell any potential worry from the drivers, a reiteration of previous comments the Greek has given.

“But firstly, Albon and other drivers haven’t driven the final rules yet, by definition, because they’re not done yet,” he said.

“Secondly, for sure if you don’t automate certain parts, there will be an increased burden on the drivers. That is true.”

Tombazis added that this is an area of the regulations that the sport’s governing body is currently still trying to determine with definition.

“Part of the work that still needs to be done between now and the start of next season is to determine how much of that stuff will be in the background, let’s say more automatic, versus how much the driver will have to control.”

Nikolas Tombazis says the FIA felt the need for a 'proper department' to address concerns over stewarding in F1
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA Single-Seater Director, is keen to avoid the 2026 F1 cars being too complex for drivers

Tombazis keen to avoid an unnecessary F1 ‘chess game’

One of F1’s big changes is the removal of DRS, to be replaced by a system that resembles IndyCar’s ‘push to pass’ button.

The additional removal of some of the intricacies that aids the drivers is seen, from Tombazis’ perspective at least, a return to drivers having more “control” than before.

“We don’t want to overburden the driver with something,” he said. “But at the same time there has to be a degree of freedom, to make sure that he can attack, defend and have some of that stuff under his control.

“But there will for sure be some part of it which will be managed transparently to him, so he doesn’t have to think about it when cornering or something like that.”

Another huge aspect of the 2026 cars will be the constant energy conservation that will have to be at the forefront of the drivers’ minds all of the time.

Tombazis was keen to stress that he would like to see a somewhat happy medium between it playing a key part of a driver’s race, but not that it takes away the organic nature of the racing itself.

“I think there’s a balance to strike between driving like a chess game of energy management, which we don’t want as one extreme, and then the other extreme where driving is just a steering wheel, a throttle pedal and a brake pedal,” he said, adding: “We need to find a good way in the middle.”

On the topic of Albon’s previous statement of abusing the system, Tombazis believes that current F1 is already placed in such a way that drivers with the most intelligence will rise to the top.

“But I think smart drivers already prevail,” he said. “The difference in performance that we see nowadays in F1 includes a percentage of that,” he added, citing his times spent as an aerodynamicist with Michael Schumacher at both Benetton and Ferrari.

“And that’s not only now, the mental bandwidth of drivers has been a factor for the last 20 years already – also in the younger days of my career, when I was working with Schumacher for example.

“I mean, obviously he was phenomenally talented, but a big part of what set him apart was that he could also think of all these other things during a race.

“You know that amongst the current drivers there are some who seem to have a bit extra to think about other things as well, while some others have to use all their CPU to drive the car.”

Nikolas Tombazis is hopeful of there being a balance for drivers to take more control but without the difficulties
Nikolas Tombazis is hopeful of there being a balance for drivers to take more control but without the difficulties

F1 drivers will need ‘understanding of the parameters’ of 2026 cars

Tombazis is trusting of the drivers’ mental capacity to deal with the challenges ahead, stating they “have quite a high bandwidth of intellect.

“They can deal with certain problems.”

Tombazis concluded that whilst there will be a new level of skills they will need to hone and develop, the 2026 cars will still show the wheat from the chaff by little more than the basic requirements of an F1 driver.

“There’s a level of understanding they need to have of these parameters,” he said.

“We think that’s part of what a top driver has to do. It’s not, however, and we will make sure it isn’t, the main skill.

“The main skill is still to be able to brake at the right point, to go fast around the corner, to find the limit, select the right lines, etc.

“That will still be the main parameter that controls who’s good and who’s bad. I wouldn’t be able to drive the car!”

READ MOREHow Aston Martin is preparing for the challenge of F1 2026

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Honda awarded IndyCar manufacturers’ championship https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/honda-awarded-indycar-manufacturers-championship/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/honda-awarded-indycar-manufacturers-championship/#respond Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:42:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220476 Honda secured the honors before the season is complete. Photo: Kevin Dejewski

Even though the 2025 IndyCar season is not yet complete, Honda has been awarded the manufacturers’ championship. In America’s top open wheel series, cars are powered by one of two engines. Honda and Chevrolet compete against each other to supply the best and most reliable engines to their customers on the grid. With nearly equal […]

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Honda secured the honors before the season is complete. Photo: Kevin Dejewski

Even though the 2025 IndyCar season is not yet complete, Honda has been awarded the manufacturers’ championship.

In America’s top open wheel series, cars are powered by one of two engines. Honda and Chevrolet compete against each other to supply the best and most reliable engines to their customers on the grid.

With nearly equal numbers of competitors fitting each engine to the back of their cars, the battle can be quite intense between the two to secure bragging rights.

Helped by Alex Palou’s dominance, Honda has now secured its 11th manufacturers’ championship, and its fifth in the past eight years.

“We have the privilege of sitting here, but we’re just representing the hard work of an amazing group of men and women,” said SRC President David Salters.

“So ‘Thank you’ is the theme. To watch people achieve what they achieved through being smart and working hard is the greatest privilege we can have.

“What do we think? How do we respond? It’s ‘Thank you’ to all our men and women, teams men and women, everybody.

“A racing car is a sum of the parts,” continued Salters, addressing Palou’s dominance in recent years.

“It’s never one thing. It’s a collection of everything, in my experience. I’ve only been doing it for 30 years, so I’m still learning a lot.

“It’s the sum of the parts. I think between the efforts we’ve put into it, we weren’t happy where we were last year, so we worked really, really hard over the winter.

“CGR is performing at huge heights. All the boys and girls, HRC we’ve stepped up to huge heights.

“Alex Palou, we are witnessing a generational talent. But then Kyle, another huge talent. Scott Dixon is still Scott Dixon. So it’s all these things that go together.”

Honda has secured 12 wins out of 16 events so far this year, most coming at the hands of Palou.

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Esteban Ocon outlines how ‘healthy’ Haas F1 environment differs to Alpine https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/esteban-ocon-outlines-how-healthy-haas-f1-environment-differs-to-alpine/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/esteban-ocon-outlines-how-healthy-haas-f1-environment-differs-to-alpine/#respond Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220445 Esteban Ocon moved to Haas from Alpine

Esteban Ocon has outlined how his time with Haas in F1 has "incredibly surprised" him so far after spending a stint at Alpine that ultimately ended in disarray.

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Esteban Ocon moved to Haas from Alpine

Esteban Ocon has outlined how his time with Haas in Formula 1 has “incredibly surprised” him so far after spending a stint at Alpine that ultimately ended in disarray.

The Frenchman spent five years at the Enstone-based team between 2020 and 2024, famously taking his maiden race victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021.

But despite his dependable results, his time with long-time karting rival Pierre Gasly last year meant he was unceremoniously ousted from the team at the end of 2024.

Following contact with Gasly in Monaco, then Team Principal Bruno Famin had threatened Ocon with “consequences”. A month later, it was announced he would be leaving.

However, he quickly signed with Haas for 2025 and beyond, partnering rookie Oliver Bearman in a brand-new line-up at the team.

And looking back at the 14 races he has raced to date with the Kannapolis-based squad, Ocon was quick to draw a contrasting parallel between the two outfits.

“Compared to my previous experience, it’s a healthy environment,” Ocon told Motorsport.com.

“As I said, no one’s hiding behind anything. If we don’t do something right, we talk about it and hope not to do it again. And we talk about it straight away at the end of the race.

“And that’s good, because if you don’t talk about it – which is what I’ve experienced before – then you [are] going to do it again. That’s the main thing.

“This team is incredibly motivated. It can sound crazy, but I’ve seen some people not motivated in the past, even working in the Formula 1 paddock. That’s probably the worst thing.

“As a driver like me – who puts his heart and sweat into the work, to do everything perfect before I get to the track – when you turn up and you see somebody looking at his check-in on Monday, it’s quite tough. And I’ve seen that in the past.”

(L to R): Laura Mueller (GER) Haas F1 Team Race Engineer with Esteban Ocon (FRA) Haas F1 Team. 31.05.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 9, Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona, Spain, Qualifying Day
Esteban Ocon has praised the environment at Haas

Ocon Hails Haas’ fighting mentality

Since the team’s debut on the grid in 2016, Haas has been one of the smallest outfits in the paddock in terms of budget.

Yet, Ocon, who has only been with the team since December last year, and has worked with teams like Mercedes in the past, was surprised by how innovative and steadfast the team is.

“Now, I’m not going to say everything’s perfect. There are things that we need to improve, obviously. But we have a very solid base to work on since I joined, and we are moving forward. And I’m glad with the way it’s going,” Ocon continued.

“Designing a steering wheel with a double clutch, it took them a month, which was ridiculous.

“I was incredibly surprised with that, and I’ve never seen any other team do that, even the big ones that I worked with. Normally it takes a lot of time for that to come.

“We were claimed to be the smallest team. We are. But, you know, some of these reactions are top class.”

READ MORE – FIA releases statement in response to ‘baseless and untrue’ allegations made by GPDA chairman

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Marc Marquez: ‘Not normal to win every weekend’ despite Hungarian MotoGP domination https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/marc-marquez-not-normal-to-win-every-weekend-despite-hungarian-motogp-domination/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/marc-marquez-not-normal-to-win-every-weekend-despite-hungarian-motogp-domination/#respond Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220502

Marc Marquez admits “it’s not normal to win every weekend” despite his 2025 dominance following his triumphs at the Hungarian MotoGP round.

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Marc Marquez admits “it’s not normal to win every weekend” after his 2025 dominance continued at the Hungarian MotoGP round.

The Spanish rider took one step closer to a ninth world title as he sealed a seventh double of the season at the new Balaton Park circuit, taking victory by over four seconds at the flag.

Despite falling behind Marco Bezzecchi at the start, Marquez revealed he was “comfortable” throughout Sunday’s Grand Prix as he made the race-winning move on Lap 11. 

However, the Spanish rider also admitted his achievement of winning at 13 of the 14 rounds this campaign was “not normal.”

“I cannot lie, today was comfortable,” Marquez told MotoGP.com after Sunday’s race.

“I was riding in a very good way. It’s true that everything that happened as we’ve seen in the first two corners, but after that I got momentum. 

“I just cooled down and just tried to warm my rear tyre because I was with the medium and from that point, just to build the race and as soon as I led the race, the pace was good. 

“I was fluid on the track, I was on the good lines so today was a very good day, but it’s not normal. It’s not normal to win every weekend, it’s not normal to win every Sprint race, it looks like [it] but it’s not. 

“There will arrive a day when somebody will be faster than us in a Sprint or a main race but it’s better to score a second position or third position, points for the championship.”

Marc Marquez shares “scary moment” en route to Hungarian victory. – Credit: Ducati Media House

Marc Marquez: ‘My mistake’ to cause Turn 2 collision with Marco Bezzecchi

Despite feeling comfortable throughout the Hungarian GP, Marquez had a “scary moment” on the opening lap of the race with Bezzecchi. 

The Spanish rider made contact with the Aprilia rider at Turn 2 after relinquishing the lead of the race, but accepted full responsibility as the rider behind in the incident. 

“We arrive at the first corner, I braked late and I was able to stop the bike well,” Marquez told of the incident. 

“But then I was thinking ‘ok I’ll just release the brakes’ because I didn’t know how much control Bezzecchi and maybe another guy inside had. 

“I released the brakes and I turned late, I knew I would lose the position but I prefer to not to take the risk. 

“At Turn 2 it was my mistake, because the rider behind always needs to be careful about the front rider, but I didn’t expect him to slow down so much. 

“With angle I wasn’t able to brake, and we had that contact. We escaped from that moment but it was a scary moment.”

Marc Marquez reveals why he wants ‘first opportunity’ at MotoGP title in Japan over Misano

A seventh Sprint-race double of the season has edged Marquez ever closer to a ninth world title, which he could have a chance of winning by Misano. 

The Spanish rider admitted he’d prefer not to win the championship at Misano, as it would mean misfortune for his brother Alex Marquez in the next round in Barcelona.

“Of course, now every time it’s getting closer and closer but we need to keep the same mentality and the same focus,” Marquez said. 

“Yesterday we speak a bit with the Spanish journalists, they were asking, they were pushing and they gave me the numbers.

“ I need to say I wish the first opportunity I have [to win the championship] in Japan or Mandalika, because if I have it in Misano it means my brother had a disaster weekend in Catalunya and I want the best for him.”

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Christian Rasmussen’s aggressiveness praised by Ed Carpenter after maiden win https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/rasmussens-aggressiveness-praised-by-ed-carpenter-after-maiden-win/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/rasmussens-aggressiveness-praised-by-ed-carpenter-after-maiden-win/#respond Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:11:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220472 Rasmussen leapt ahead of everyone in the final stint. Photo: Kevin Dejewski

Christian Rasmussen won his first IndyCar race on Sunday, partly due to his aggressive driving style that allowed him to pass six cars in the final 29-lap stint. Rasmussen’s aggressiveness has been a talking point this season, usually with the conversation asking whether or not it is over the line. The young driver’s team owner […]

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Rasmussen leapt ahead of everyone in the final stint. Photo: Kevin Dejewski

Christian Rasmussen won his first IndyCar race on Sunday, partly due to his aggressive driving style that allowed him to pass six cars in the final 29-lap stint.

Rasmussen’s aggressiveness has been a talking point this season, usually with the conversation asking whether or not it is over the line.

The young driver’s team owner Ed Carpenter does not see his approach as a problem, however, and put his full support behind Rasmussen following his victory.

“Christian impressed us a ton before he ever got in one of our cars, the way he finished off the INDY NXT championship that he won,” said Carpenter.

“The back half of that season, it was a tight battle, but he really took control of it at the end. That level of intensity, dedication and improvement that he showed from his two years in that championship is really what stood out to me.

“Then we put him in a car [for a test day] at Barber against Oliver Askew. A bit of a showdown. He rose to that challenge, as well. When you put a car in front of him, especially when he’s got a tire advantage, it’s a scary thing.

“People talk about they don’t like everything he does. We haven’t asked him to change one thing. He’s attacking and being aggressive, not settling for anything.

“That’s the mentality we want to have as a team. Really proud of the effort and he way he finished today.”

Respected by others

Perhaps because he earned the victory at Milwaukee, Rasmussen’s style accrued respect from other competitors as well.

Multiple drivers came to victory lane to congratulate him in person, including his team-mate Alexander Rossi who lifted him off his car as soon as he climbed out.

ECR owner Ed Carpenter was all smiles in victory lane. Photo: Kevin Dejewski

But the appreciation from those outside the ECR team are perhaps more representative of the true opinions of the paddock.

“That’s how he races,” said Scott McLaughlin, who finished third on Sunday. “You got to respect it.

“I think he’s very fast. He’s very brave. He makes some really nice split-second decisions.

“As we’ve seen, it’s bit him in the backside a couple of times as well. He’s learning. He’s getting better.

“I don’t know. I’ve said for a long time, he’s going to win a race at some point. He’s been really strong. He’s not scared of taking the chance.”

Rasmussen has finished in the top 10 for all five oval races this season, showing how well his driving style is suited to the banking.

He has one more chance to make it a perfect six-for-six next weekend at Nashville Superspeedway for the season finale.

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Red Bull eyeing F1 drive for IndyCar champion Alex Palou – report https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/red-bull-eyeing-f1-drive-for-indycar-champion-alex-palou-report/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/25/red-bull-eyeing-f1-drive-for-indycar-champion-alex-palou-report/#respond Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:15:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=220514 IndyCar champion Alex Palou is on the radar of Red Bull, according to reports. Image: Kevin Dejewski

Red Bull is eyeing a move for IndyCar champion Alex Palou to join Max Verstappen in the team's F1 ranks, according to a report in America.

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IndyCar champion Alex Palou is on the radar of Red Bull, according to reports. Image: Kevin Dejewski

Red Bull is eyeing a move for IndyCar champion Alex Palou to join Max Verstappen in the team’s Formula 1 ranks, according to a report in America.

The Milton Keynes-based squad has returned to struggling with its second seat alongside Verstappen, after firing Sergio Perez at the end of last year.

Liam Lawson lasted just two races at the start of this year and was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, who has also struggled to score points in the tricky RB21.

Meanwhile, Palou’s stock has continued to rise Stateside, as he took his third straight IndyCar title just two weeks ago, his fourth overall.

It would not be the first time that Palou has been linked to F1, after an initial and contentious connection via McLaren.

The Woking-based outfit filed a lawsuit in 2023, which is ongoing, regarding an alleged breach of contract, after having tested its F1 challengers in a reserve driver role.

Alex Palou had previous ties to McLaren and was linked to Williams before these new Red Bull rumours
Alex Palou had previous ties to McLaren and was linked to Williams

And earlier this summer, Williams Team Principal James Vowles revealed that the Spaniard was on its shortlist of candidates for a drive alongside Alex Albon this year.

Immediately after his first Indy 500 win this year, Palou revealed to the Indianapolis Star newspaper that F1 was not “calling him” anymore.

He added that his focus was now away from F1 after his long and successful stint across the pond, and that he “[liked] winning races”, seeking glory rather than fame.

But now the same publication is reporting that Red Bull’s hierarchy may now be able to tempt his attention back to F1.

However, the supposed terms of Palou’s current contract with Chip Ganassi Racing could see Red Bull required to pay a hefty release clause to spring the 28-year-old from it.

Unlike other IndyCar drivers rumoured to be seeking the challenge of F1, Palou has the required Super Licence points in order to race.

And his glowing profile as one of the world’s best drivers might also tempt Red Bull into a potential play for his signature, particularly given the sport’s growing popularity in the country.

READ MORE – IndyCar star Colton Herta yet to rule out F2 switch to help secure F1 drive

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