Topic: Motosport General discussion tread --- Formula1, MotoGP, WTCC, ETCC, DTM..... - page 102. (Read 137613 times)

It looks like Audi want to enter Formula 1 really strongly. The speculations say that Sainz already signed a pre-contract with Audi even a long time ago. If he is really going to join Audi in the future I wonder who will be Audi's second driver. That should also be a skilled driver I guess after agreeing with a really good one like Sainz.

As the cars are likely to change quite much by 2026 season I wonder where Audi will be able to place themselves also.

I think that it is lucky of Audi that all teams will need to work really hard on their car after the expected changes in that season. If Audi build a strong car then maybe they can be one of top teams in Formula 1.

Results of the sprint race for Moto GP.

Pos   Rider   Nat   Team   Time/Diff
1   Alex Marquez   SPA   Gresini Ducati (GP22)   21m 52.317s
2   Marco Bezzecchi   ITA   Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22)   +0.366s
3   Maverick Viñales   SPA   Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23)   +3.374s
4   Johann Zarco   FRA   Pramac Ducati (GP23)   +5.671s
5   Aleix Espargaro   SPA   Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23)   +6.068s
6   Jorge Martin   SPA   Pramac Ducati (GP23)   +7.294s
7   Jack Miller   AUS   Red Bull KTM (RC16)   +9.415s
8   Augusto Fernandez   SPA   Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)*   +9.850s
9   Brad Binder   RSA   Red Bull KTM (RC16)   +10.435s
10   Miguel Oliveira   POR   RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22)   +11.247s
11   Luca Marini   ITA   Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22)   +17.365s
12   Fabio Di Giannantonio   ITA   Gresini Ducati (GP22)   +20.063s
13   Enea Bastianini   ITA   Ducati Lenovo (GP23)   +24.352s
14   Francesco Bagnaia   ITA   Ducati Lenovo (GP23)   +25.527s
15   Franco Morbidelli   ITA   Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1)   +27.191s
16   Pol Espargaro   SPA   Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)   +27.693s
17   Joan Mir   SPA   Repsol Honda (RC213V)   +29.062s
18   Marc Marquez   SPA   Repsol Honda (RC213V)   +29.326s
19   Raul Fernandez   SPA   RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22)   +29.627s
20   Takaaki Nakagami   JPN   LCR Honda (RC213V)   +29.909s
21   Fabio Quartararo   FRA   Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1)   +30.326s

Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/results/1032894/1/british-motogp-silverstone-sprint-race-results


Not so great result for Bagnaia today

The track conditions have improved slightly even though it is still wet and the Sprint race looks like it will be more exciting because when the track is wet many unique things are possible to happen. It's a shame for Fabio Quartararo who has to start on the bottom of the grid in the Sprint Race and also for tomorrow because he didn't have the courage when the track was in wet conditions. And I'm really looking forward to seeing the Sprint Race today which kicks off in a bit.

Leclerc so-called wants to play a big role in Ferrari to return to their old days. But is this really worth the risk of not being champions in his career for many more years? But on the other hand I'm trying to understand his choice as well. Because currently the only place in which he could have a chance to be competitive for the title is Red Bull.

But would Red Bull like to have Leclerc while in presence of Verstappen? I don't think so. Red Bull just want a second driver who can comply with the team well and who doesn't fall too far behind their first driver. Leclerc can't fit that description as he wants to be competitive for the title.

If he leaves Ferrari he needs to go to a team that he will be cared about as much as the other driver of that team.

Yes in this sport despite the reflexes coming down dramatically with the age moving forward you can still have some chances when the car that you drive is one of the best or better the best of the grid which can also give you chances to win races.I don't think though that Hamilton will win any race at 45 year old even if he has the best car,the driving skills come down dramatically as I said but during the time when he will be 40 next year until 43 he may have good chances though to win a race.

Alonso unfortunately I don't know if it is because Aston got down in performance or because of him not finding anymore motivation but I believe to be Aston down on performance as also Stroll suffers right now.

P3 for Moto2 is in progress and the track conditions are now wet, it looks like there will be a lot of riders crashing today because today's track conditions are very different from yesterday's track conditions at Silverstone. Especially for today's MotoGP class there will also be a qualification along with the Sprint Race so the show might be more exciting than usual, but personally I hope the race can take place in dry conditions tomorrow.

5 more years?

Well, I guess in this sport you have a longer longevity, especially if you have a good car I guess you can still win at 45 years old.

Look at Alonso, he was very competitive this year when Aston Martin was decent.

Sainz already signed the deal with Audi basically, not officially because it can't officially be done, but verbally it's done. So the longest period he could stay at Ferrari will be 2026 season at which he will leave, we know that. Will he stay at ferrari until then? We do not know that much, that's going to be just a guessing work.

I would guess that since they are Ferrari, they could get anyone they want, and Haas is their minor team, so they could definitely check the drivers there, so far there isn't one that goes up and I feel like there is a serious amount of situation where it's going to take some time for them to find someone. But right now the youngest and most fierce looking driver is Oscar Piastri. He could be a great replacement if offered a good amount of money.

As far as I know Hamilton has stated before that he wants to race for five more years in Formula 1. But this still doesn't guarantee one thing that Hamilton will continue and end his career at Mercedes. He has also been linked with rumours like he might join Ferrari. They are just entering this news on some websites regularly.

On the other hand Hamilton refuted these rumours before by saying that he was in talks with Mercedes for a contract extension already.

In short things are really complicated now as there are rumours saying different things everywhere. 

Rumor has it that Albon is one of the candidates considered by Ferrari to be able to replace Sainz, who seems to be joining the Audi team. Albon I think is a pretty good driver, did pretty well with William and maybe it will suit Ferrari. But of course Vasseur has the best option to replace Sainz as the second driver, whatever choice it might be for the best.

It is a thing that I wonder as well. Norris was speculated with the position but I don't think so. He must be happy at McLaren right now. They have got much faster and they have been in a better condition than Ferrari recently. Besides Norris is the main driver there. If he becomes Leclerc's teammate there won't be any hierarchy. I don't know if Norris would like to give up on his being the main driver of McLaren for no reason. I'm saying no reason because Ferrari are still far away from the point they should be at.

Maybe Albon would think of this formula. He believes in Williams' development for now but maybe he might change his mind if he gets an offer from Ferrari.

I also think that Sainz won't be with Ferrari for a long period from now on but who will replace Sainz ? I know there are a lot of talented drivers on the grid right now and a lot more to come from F2 but I don't think Ferrari will go again with a pair of young drivers without real experience behind them so maybe targeting Lewis will do them good right ? There aren't many drivers left on the grid who have A LOT of experience behind them so maybe ...Ferrari do think to keep Sainz for at least 2 more years.

Marquez will still make adjustments to his Honda motorbike because previously he often complained about his motorbike so he still often fell during races. I also can't wait to see all the MotoGp riders on the Silverstone track riding their respective motorbikes because apart from the addition to the regulations, there will also be changes to their actions on the motorbike at the end of this week. Hopefully the other manufacturers can be close enough to the factory Ducati, especially in terms of speed and balance of the bike.

At least we are going to have some action from MotoGP now that F1 is officially on holiday until the end of August so most Sundays I assumed will be boring and I had forgoten about MotoGP,luckily this weekend action will be held on a very nice track for bikes,it is more technical than for cars from what I have seen.Even Bezzechi is on ride to have a look for fighting for the Championship beside the usual guys and he is running for the official scuderia of Valentino Rossi,a legend of MotoGP.I wonder what Marquez can do here but probably not much because of bike limitation.

Today's weather conditions at the Silverstone circuit are still quite sunny and there is currently a P1 session for Moto3. In addition, there is news about the new regulations that will be implemented by Dorna starting at the Silverstone Grand Prix, namely the Tire Pressure Control System, and if any team or manufacturer violates this, they will be given special sanctions through a time penalty after the race. Source: id.motorsport.com

If I remember correctly, in the case of Sainz it isn't new that he would be speculating about a move to Alpine, and I think it is very likely that this will indeed happen.
At Alpine, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, both French, have a contract signed until 2024 (like Sainz), so it would be very likely that a driver exchange between the two teams will happen.
However, looking a little closer.... Alfa Romeo-Sauber Valtteri Bottas, from Finland, and Zhou Guanyu, are only bonded until the end of 2023, could she also be planning something??

Returning to the initial discussion, about Leclerc, the Italian informants are saying that the Monegasque's new contract with Ferrari would be in the 'mold' 2 + 3: that is, renewal for two seasons with the option of extending the bond for three more championships in the team from Maranello.

He can also leave Ferrari and join Mercedes or RBR in the time, both Lewis and Perez will not have so many races with the respective team.

The rumour is said to be like Leclerc has signed a deal of 2+3 years with Ferrari. There is more to that rumour also. Sainz is also reported to be after a similar deal with Ferrari.

I wouldn't be surprised with Leclerc's signing a contract extension truthfully. But I don't think Sainz will extend his contract that long. I also expect him to go to Audi when they enter the sport officially. Sainz's current contract expires at the end of 2024 while Audi are said to be entering Formula 1 by 2026. For only the time between Sainz would continue at Ferrari I think.

Few are surprised by the news of Alex Rins moving to factory Yamaha next season to replace Morbidelli. Because long before the break began, speculation about Alex Rins' move to Yamaha had gone viral, and this time what made me curious was where Morbidelli would end up next season. Apart from that, I'm also looking forward to MotoGP races again because it feels like it's been a very long time since I've seen MotoGP races this season, and I also hope that other manufacturers have made more capable improvements to approach the speed of Ducati in this week's British grand prix.

I'm looking forward to the race, yes it probably looks like it's going to rain, but I don't think it's a tragedy, I'm curious if the other teams have got a bit closer to Ducati in the break.

By the way, next year Rins will switch to Yamaha and replace Morbidelli.

Yamaha trennt sich nach der MotoGP 2023 von Franco Morbidelli