Метка: Japanese GP

The 2023 “nightmare” Martin is avoiding as MotoGP title pressure cranks up

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Jorge Martin says working on his mental strength is aiding his MotoGP world title fight after suffering “a nightmare” during last year’s world championship tussle over the flyaway rounds.

The Pramac Ducati rider’s MotoGP standings lead may have been trimmed by three points to 21 points over the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend by Francesco Bagnaia, but Martin felt his victory in the main race gave him the perfect response to crashing out of the Saturday sprint race.

Read Also:

With Marc Marquez (mechanical) and Enea Bastianini (crash) both failing to finish the Indonesia GP, it has set up a likely repeat of the 2023 title showdown between Martin and Bagnaia over the final five rounds.

In last year’s championship tussle the Italian prevailed with seven consecutive podiums, highlighted by two wins, while the Spaniard failed to finish twice and missed out on the podium in three grands prix over the same period.

After reflecting on losing the title during the final rounds 12 months ago, the 26-year-old has opened up on his preparation for the flyaway races, having taken up meditation to improve his focus and mental fortitude.

Speaking during the Japanese GP pre-event press conference, Martin says how he has utilised the benefits and feels mentally better prepared.

“I sleep much better now, last season was really difficult to manage for me,” Martin said. “Not so much here in Japan, but more in Thailand and Malaysia was really tough and then of course Valencia.

“I feel I have improved a lot in terms of the mental side and I worked a lot over the season. I feel I have done an amazing step so I am enjoying it now. I enjoy to go out on track and I enjoy to ride.

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“Last season it was the opposite, it was like a bad dream, a nightmare, really a nightmare.

“Even if I was winning I didn’t enjoy it at all. Now I am enjoying it so now I am super happy and I am proud to be here so it is really, really good.”

At last year’s Motegi round Martin did the sprint and grand prix double, albeit with the Sunday race red-flagged at the halfway stage due to heavy rain and dangerous conditions.

Bagnaia, who finished third in the sprint and second in the grand prix last year, feels three of the five remaining circuits are where he can find an advantage over Martin as he aims to overturn the points deficit.

“I think this [Motegi] track is good for us, and I think Thailand and Malaysia are good for us, so we have three tracks where we are very strong,” Bagnaia said. “We have Australia where Jorge is very strong.

“I think the fight could be [down] to a similar performance in Thailand and Valencia.

“We are in a situation where we need to be better than him, he can control a little bit more.”

Read Also:



Source link

«Game over» in MotoGP title challenge

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Marc Marquez has conceded that his 2024 MotoGP title hopes are all but gone with five rounds to go.

The Gresini Racing Ducati rider recently began a late-season charge with grand prix wins in Aragon and San Marino, but an engine failure in Indonesia last Sunday has left him trailing series leader Jorge Martin by 78 points.

A maximum of 185 points are still available this season, leaving the Spaniard’s championship chances mathematical but unlikely.

«We already had a big deficit and after the zero points score in the Indonesian Grand Prix, the difference is now too much,» said the eight-time world champion ahead of this weekend’s Japanese round at Motegi.

«The title has been our target for the last five races, but it looks like the championship is now game over for us.

«The gap is already too big, and the title is a two-man race. This gives me the peace of mind to keep working on the weak points in the last races and confirm the strong ones.»

Marquez's bike suffered a fire in the last round which meant a non-score

Marquez’s bike suffered a fire in the last round which meant a non-score

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

While Pramac Racing’s Martin and Ducati Team’s Francesco Bagnaia are indeed the only two likely title candidates, it’s certainly not game over for third place.

That’s currently held by Bagnaia’s team-mate Enea Bastianini, whose advantage over Marquez is just three points heading into the Japanese Grand Prix.

Both are well clear of rookie MotoGP rider Pedro Acosta (Tech3), who is 107 points behind Marquez in fifth.

Bastianini’s situation is similar to Marquez’s. He too had a zero score at Mandalika last Sunday, as he fell off while pushing to catch Martin for the win.

«I risked a lot in Mandalika,» said the Italian. «It was important for me to take that risk and try to win that race. In the end, I crashed, but that’s part of the game. Now I’m a bit out of it for the title.

«But if it’s possible to recover positions or close this gap, I want to be in the fight.»

Read Also:

Asked if he would continue to take maximum risk in order to keep his slim title chances alive, Bastianini didn’t rule out the possibility.

He said: «For the coming races I need to be competitive and bring in as many points as possible. But I don’t know which approach I’ll take. I have to check this just before the race!»

While three-time Motegi MotoGP winner Marquez finished third in last year’s shortened Japanese Grand Prix, Bastianini will be coming into this weekend playing catch-up after missing last year’s event entirely due to injuries picked up at the Catalan Grand Prix.

«I think it will be important to learn from the other Ducati riders in the first session, so that I can be much faster for the second session,» said the winner of this year’s British and Emilia Romagna Grands Prix.

«But I’m ready. Motegi is one of my favourite tracks and I want to be competitive.»



Source link

“It’s a mechanical issue, not a rider issue.”

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Maverick Viñales claims his confidence is as strong as ever heading into this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

That’s partly because of a mild uptick in recent form, but mainly because the Spaniard doesn’t believe Aprilia’s difficulties are anything to do with its riders.

Having dominated the Grand Prix of the Americas in April, the European season has proven unexpectedly tough going for Vinales and Aprilia Racing team-mate Aleix Espargaro. Neither has managed a Sunday podium since that third round.

But the last two Sundays have been better for Vinales, who scored sixth places in both the Emilia Romagna and Indonesia Grands Prix.

What will help Vinales take to the Motegi track with confidence is his conviction that Aprilia’s mid-season dip in form is due to the technical stagnation of the bike rather than his own form as a rider.

“When what’s holding you back is a mechanical issue and not a rider issue, your confidence stays intact,” he said.

“In terms of riding I am very happy with my performance. I’m riding better than I did in Austin, where I won.”

Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing

Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

The Spaniard said that the RS-GP has not changed from the one that started the season: “We are working a lot on the braking. The bike is the same as it was at the beginning of the year.

“Maybe the points we focused on to improve the bike were not the right ones. We put in a lot of new parts that didn’t work. In terms of aerodynamics, Aprilia was hoping to make the same leap it made in 2022, when we added the side fairing that caused the ground effect. But that didn’t happen.”

Looking ahead to this weekend, the KTM-bound Vinales has set his sights on improving his Saturday performance. He hopes this will be the key to unlocking better results. He is aware that the last two Grands Prix could have been even better had he qualified higher than eighth and 10th respectively at Misano and Mandalika.

“I hope to continue with the progression of the last two races. We know that everything depends on qualifying. We’ve got to put our all into a fast lap.”

Read Also:



Source link

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Ducati has won the last two editions of the Japanese GP, with then-factory rider Jack Miller triumphing in 2022 and Jorge Martin taking the top spot last year for Pramac.

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings

Event Date

10:45  

FREE PRACTICE 1

PRACTICE

FREE PRACTICE 2

QUALIFYING 1

QUALIFYING 2

SPRINT

WARM UP

Race

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings in different timezones

Session

GMT

BST 

CEST

ET

PT

AEST

JST

IST

FP1

01:45

02:45

03:45

21:45

18:45

11:45

10:45

07:15

FP2

06:00

07:00

 08:00

02:00

23:00

16:00

15:00

 11:30

FP3

01:10

 02:10 03:10

21:10

18:10

 11:10

10:10

 06:40

Qualifying

01:50

 02:50 03:50

21:50

18:50

11:50

10:50

 07:20

Sprint

06:00

 07:00 08:00

02:00

23:00

16:00

15:00

11:30

Warm up

00:40

01:40

 02:40

20:40

 17:40

11:40

09:40

06:10

Race

05:00

06:00

07:00

01:00

 22:00

16:00

14:00

 10:30

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings in the UK and Portugal

Friday 4th October 2024

  • Free Practice 1: 02:45 — 03:30 BST
  • Free Practice 2: 07:00 — 08:00 BST

Saturday 5th October 2024

  • Free Practice 3: 02:10 — 03:10 BST
  • Qualifying: 02:50 — 03:30 BST
  • Sprint: 07:00 BST

Sunday 6th October 2024

  • Warm up: 01:40 — 01:50 BST
  • Race: 06:00 BST

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings in Europe 

Friday 4th October 2024

  • Free Practice 1: 03:45 — 04:30 CEST
  • Free Practice 2: 08:00 — 09:00 CEST

Saturday 5th October 2024

  • Free Practice 3: 03:10 — 03:40 CEST
  • Qualifying: 03:50 — 04:30 CEST
  • Sprint: 08:00 CEST

Sunday 6th October 2024

  • Warm up: 02:40 — 02:50 CEST
  • Race: 07:00 CEST

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings in the US (Eastern Time)

Thursday 3rd October 2024

  • Free Practice 1:  21:45 — 22:30 ET

Friday 4th October 2024

  • Free Practice 2:  02:00 — 03:00 ET 
  • Free Practice 3: 21:10 — 21:40 ET 
  • Qualifying: 21:50 — 22:30 ET 

Saturday 5th October 2024

  • Sprint: 02:00 ET 
  • Warm-up: 20:40 — 21:50 ET

Sunday 6th October 2024

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings in the US (Pacific Time)

Thursday 3rd October 2024

  • Free Practice 1:  18:45 — 19:30 PT
  • Free Practice 2:  23:00 — 00:00 PT

Friday 4th October 2024

  • Free Practice 3: 18:10 — 18:40 PT
  • Qualifying:  18:50 — 19:30 PT
  • Sprint: 23:00 PT

Saturday 5th October 2024

  • Warm-up: 17:40 — 17:50 PT
  • Race:  22:00 PT

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings in Australia

Friday 4th October 2024

  • Free Practice 1: 11:45 — 12:30 AEST
  • Free Practice 2: 16:00 — 17:00 AEST

Saturday 5th October 2024

  • Free Practice 3: 11:10 — 11:40 AEST
  • Qualifying: 11:50 — 12:30 AEST
  • Sprint: 16:00 AEST

Sunday 6th October 2024

  • Warm-up: 11:40 — 11:50 AEDT
  • Race: 16:00 AEDT

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings in Japan

Friday 4th October 2024

  • Free Practice 1: 10:45 — 11:30 JST 
  • Free Practice 2: 15:00 — 16:00 JST 

Saturday 5th October 2024

  • Free Practice 3: 10:10 — 10:40 JST 
  • Qualifying: 10:50 — 11:30 JST
  • Sprint: 15:00 JST

Sunday 6th October 2024

  • Warm-up: 09:40 — 09:50 JST
  • Race: 14:00 JST

2024 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix session timings in India

Friday 4th October 2024

  • Free Practice 1: 07:15 — 08:00 IST 
  • Free Practice 2: 11:30 — 12:30 IST

Saturday 5th October 2024

  • Free Practice 3: 06:40 — 07:10 IST 
  • Qualifying: 07:20 — 08:00 IST
  • Sprint: 11:30 IST

Sunday 6th October 2024

  • Warm-up: 06:10 — 06:20 IST
  • Race: 10:30 IST

Can’t find your country or region in the list? Check the MotoGP schedule page for the broadcast times in your local timezone.

Can I stream the Japanese Grand Prix?

MotoGP has its own on-demand streaming service, offering live broadcast of practice, qualifying and the Sprint, as well as highlights. The MotoGP Video pass is available for an annual fee of 139.99 euros. Several local broadcasters also stream MotoGP races on their official websites



Source link

‘Nobody can be more prepared’

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Pedro Acosta has hailed the «special character» of Aki Ajo as the pair will rejoin forces at the factory KTM MotoGP squad from next season.

With Acosta stepping up from Tech3 to the factory KTM squad next year, he will be reunited with former team boss Ajo, who will step away from the head of his own Ajo Motorsport Moto2/3 team to helm KTM’s efforts in the premier class.

Ajo comes on board in place of current KTM team boss Francesco Guidotti, who will leave the squad at the end of the season despite having a year left to run on his contract.

Acosta raced for Ajo’s teams on his way to his 2021 Moto3 title and 2023 Moto2 crown, so is naturally pleased to reconnect with the Finn given their success, and feels he’s the perfect person to lead the KTM MotoGP squad.

«Super happy about that, I think there is no one around this paddock that can be more prepared to take one target like this, that is to fight for MotoGP world titles,» Acosta said of Ajo’s appointment.

«He is a special character for sure. He is a special character that was helping me a lot and I really like him and how direct he is.

Pedro Acosta, Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing

Pedro Acosta, Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

«I was talking to him this afternoon about this and I think we are going to make a good match together.»

Focusing on this weekend, Acosta is hopeful of another strong showing following momentum gained from his second place in the Indonesia Grand Prix, which added to KTM’s recent strong showings in Japan. In the 2023 sprint race Brad Binder took second and the in 2022 grand prix the South African also finished runner-up.

«It is true that this track normally helps our bike and we saw that last season Brad and Jack [Miller] were quite competitive,» he said. «The previous season also Brad was on the podium.

«So we hope that with the improvements that we have made in the last couple of races and also the way of working that we are now using we are able to be even closer [to the front] than in Mandalika.»

Read Also:



Source link

Ajo will bring “pull and power” to KTM in MotoGP in 2025

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


KTM MotoGP rider Jack Miller says he is sad that he won’t be around to work with incoming KTM Factory Racing team manager Aki Ajo in 2025.

It was confirmed on Monday that Ajo will step away from running his own Ajo Motorsport KTM team in Moto2/3 and replace incumbent Francesco Guidotti in the Austrian manufacturer’s works MotoGP squad next year.

But Miller won’t benefit from the Finn’s “pull and power” as he moves in the other direction, departing for Pramac Yamaha after two seasons with KTM.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, the Australian said he felt Ajo would be a positive change for KTM, which has struggled this season but will welcome star rider Pedro Acosta in his place next year.

“Aki doesn’t need the job,” said Miller, who knows Ajo well after winning six times for his Moto3 squad in 2014.

“He doesn’t really give a s**t. He wants to win, that’s about it. He’s coming in with that mentality — he knows what he wants and that’s it. It’s his way or the highway. He has that sort of pull and power.

“I know Aki has turned down the role on multiple occasions but I think now seemed like the right time. It’ll be interesting to see.

“Obviously I’m sad about [not being able to work with Ajo at the KTM factory squad]. Working with Aki is something special, something I hold dearly. We’ve worked together for the last 10 years, so to work with him again in that sort of a role would be fantastic. But it wasn’t to be.

“What would make me more worried is working against him. I know how capable he can be as a team manager. I think he’ll be a good bullet in [the KTM] chamber.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director, Aki Ajo

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director, Aki Ajo

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Miller cautiously added that Guidotti’s departure a year before his contract runs out is not necessarily a reflection of the Italian’s potential.

“Francesco has tried to step into a role there, but I don’t feel like he was given the best tools, let’s say, to do what needed to be done,» he said.

“That’s partly on his side, obviously, protecting himself and his role, but I don’t feel like he’s been able to do what needed to be done.”

Japan was the scene of Miller’s most recent win in MotoGP. He won there for Ducati in 2022, ahead of his switch to KTM last year.

“Motegi is generally a track I’ve liked my whole career and done well at in the past. So fingers crossed we can get it working good this weekend and have a solid one from start to finish. I feel like we’re due one of those.”

He says qualifying will be the key to his chances of repeating that success. 

“The biggest thing for us is trying to do a decent qualifying. Missing out on Q2 the last two weeks has cost us dearly.”

Read Also:



Source link

Suzuka remains keen to add Super Formula to F1 Japanese GP bill

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Last year there were talks between Yoshihisa Ueno, the president of Super Formula promoter JRP, and the Suzuka race organisers to bring Japan’s leading domestic single-seater series to the event.

Super Formula left a two-month gap between its first round in March and its second event in May for the F1 support event to potentially move into.

A support slot for Super Formula didn’t materialise for 2024, understood to be due to scheduling and paddock logistics, but in an exclusive interview Suzuka president Tsuyoshi Saito says he would be keen to welcome the series in 2025.

«The decision is also down to Formula 1, but Super Formula is a top racing category in Japan,» Saito said. «Therefore, it would be very exciting for us to have F1 and Super Formula in the same weekend.

«It is a possibility and we would welcome this option, but of course we are not able to decide.

«At the same time, we are not only focused on Super Formula. For us it is mainly about offering fans the best combination throughout the weekend.

«Of course, Super Formula is one of those possibilities, but the most important thing is to have the best weekend package.»

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Without F2, F3 or F1 Academy feeder series present, the domestic Ferrari Challenge Japan and Porsche Carrera Cup Japan graced the support bill at last weekend’s race.

From this year onwards Japan moved from its traditional autumn date to a race in April, as part of F1’s desire to streamline the logistics of its record 24-race calendar and improve its sustainability efforts.

As revealed on Friday when F1 and the FIA jointly presented next year’s calendar, Japan will hold on to its new slot for 2025, becoming the third grand prix of the year behind a double-header of Australia and China.

Saito said Suzuka was happy to accommodate F1’s date change request as it aligned with its own sustainability initiatives.

«We are globally aiming for a reduction of the CO2 emissions to reach our sustainability goals, also regarding the logistics of F1,» he explained.

Read Also:

«Formula 1 wanted to package the races in this area of the world more, also in terms of logistics together with Australia. Therefore F1 suggested moving this race to the spring instead of later in the year.

«Our company is also very focused on sustainability, so we agreed with F1’s suggestion, also because it matches our own philosophy.

«I do believe that we will stay in this time of the year for a while as it fits in with all the ideas that Formula 1 has about logistics. We are happy to agree with their decisions.»

Watch: The 2025 F1 Calendar – Does it Make Sense?



Source link

How Ferrari has kept itself in the F1 hunt despite no major upgrades

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


What is perhaps most interesting about Ferrari’s performance, however, is that it has come without it bringing any significant upgrades to its car.

While work is under way on what is understood to be a pretty major development step for the start of the European season at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, changes have so far been only minor touches.

It was a small tweak to the rear suspension’s upper wishbone fairing that received some attention in Japan, as the team modified the chord length of the rear leg (highlighted in yellow, inset).

Ferrari, like several other teams, has opted for what appears, at least externally, to be a multi-link arrangement with its upper wishbone.

However, the assembly does converge where it meets the upright, which is out of sight behind the brake duct fence.

The design offers some flexibility from an aerodynamic perspective, while also allowing the brake duct outlet to be resized according to its requirements and permitting the cluster of winglets behind to work more effectively.

Ferrari SF-24 rear wing
Ferrari SF-24 Beam Wing Comparison

One fascinating aspect of Ferrari’s start to the campaign is that it has not changed its rear wing specification across the four events so far, even though the venues at play have all had different downforce/drag requirements.

The only rear wing changes we have seen, according to the FIA submission documents, are the Maranello squad bringing various old options in case they were needed for the Saudi Arabian and Japanese Grands Prix.

In both these instances, it was noted that these were carryover items from 2023, rather than fully developed solutions specific for 2024.

Both were more or less fallbacks that could be run should the conditions require — but ultimately were not needed.

Instead, Ferrari was able to adapt its car to the requirements of each race weekend through trimming its beam wing arrangement.

For the high downforce tracks, it had its bi-plane style layout employed in both Bahrain (top left) and Japan (bottom right), while just a single element was fitted in Saudi Arabia and Australia, albeit with additional pylon winglets added for Albert Park.

All eyes are now on how big a step it will bring for Imola.



Source link

Ex-F1 racer Pirro makes motorbike racing debut

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The 62-year-old Italian contested the Hailwood Trophy for 250cc and 350cc two-stroke grand prix and Formula 750 motorcycles that raced up to 1983. He qualified the Michael Russell-entered Yamaha TZ250 20th in the 34-bike field, 9.7 seconds off pole.

The Italian, who recently left his role managing the McLaren young driver programme, ran 20th in race one on Saturday prior to a red flag when Alan Cathcart fell. Pirro lost places after the restart, but moved forward as his pace improved. He crossed the line 18th overall, 10th in class.

“Every metre I’m learning something,” said Pirro, who started 37 world championship Formula 1 races between 1989 and 1991. “It’s incredibly exciting. I’ve never ridden with people around me so I was a bit nervous at the start.

“I had massive respect for riders before doing it and now I have even more.”

The tightly contested race was won by Phil Atkinson’s Yamaha as the top three were covered by just 0.423s in a dash to the line.

Pirro is scheduled to contest the second, seven-lap, race on Sunday morning. The overall results will be decided by an aggregate of the two heats.

Most of the races for the 81st MM take place on Sunday. Three-time Le Mans class winner Darren Turner qualified on pole for the Ken Miles Cup for Ford Mustangs in Craig Davies’ example, against a quality field that includes Andrew Jordan, Rob Huff, Gordon Shedden, Jake Hill and Dario Franchitti.

Alex Buncombe will start the Graham Hill Trophy for pre-1967 closed-cockpit GTs and prototypes from pole in an AC Cobra.

Gerhard Berger driving the Ferrari 640 in period

Gerhard Berger driving the Ferrari 640 in period

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Ten-time grand prix winner Gerhard Berger also demonstrated the Ferrari 640 he used in six F1 races in 1989.

“When we finished, we finished in good positions, but we didn’t usually finish!” said the 64-year-old Austrian, who only saw the chequered flag three times in his 15 starts in 1989 but did win the Portuguese GP at Estoril.

Niki Lauda’s career is also being celebrated at Goodwood, with Chris Goodwin demonstrating the McLaren MP4/2B that the Austrian drove in his final F1 season in 1985.



Source link