[Porschefire]

The provisional 2025 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar has been published by the FIM, revealing the dates and races for the upcoming season of the most exciting sport on Earth.

22 Grands Prix in 18 countries are set to take place in 2025, including the return of Brno in Czechia and the debut of Balaton Park in Hungary.

With four long-haul events to begin the year and four to round it off, 2025 will be a balanced and well-paced season of competition for riders, teams and paddock personnel.

Provisional 2025 Calendar



After pre-season testing at Sepang and Buriram, the Thai Grand Prix prepares to make history as the first season opener in Southeast Asia for 25 years – and the first ever in Thailand. Then there’s time to recharge before the circus returns to Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina and the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.

Next up, it’s Lusail International Circuit in Qatar after Ramadan has concluded, before the classic start to the European stint as Jerez prefaces Le Mans, where the French GP will be aiming to break the all-time attendance record once again. Then it’s two events in new timeslots: the British GP at Silverstone at the end of May and the Aragon GP two weeks later.

The rhythm continues from there on out, with the season completed by back-to-backs. First it’s Mugello and then a special 100th anniversary event at Assen, before the Sachsenring prefaces MotoGP’s return to Brno. After a few weekends off for summer break, action re-opens in Austria at the Red Bull Ring before the debut of Balaton Park in Hungary, with Catalunya and the San Marino GP at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli closing out action in Europe – for the moment.

From there we’re off to Asia once more, with Motegi in Japan first up before we go to Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit on Lombok in Indonesia. A weekend off then gives everyone chance to recharge ahead of out trip to Australia as Phillip Island welcomes us Down Under, before the final “flyaway” will take place at Sepang in Malaysia.

The final two stops on the new-look calendar bring us back to Europe as we conclude the season with the recently-confirmed Portuguese GP at Portimão and the classic curtain closer at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.

Rider and Team Lineup

[rajeevsulu]

I have voted Pecco for 2025 simply because he is so used to the Ducati. I expect the title fight to be between Pecco and Marquez.

How the Aprilia and Yamaha turn up would decide whether Jorge and Quartararo would be involved at all.

The only other factory Ducati under Digia should play a role if he is fit enough.

Cheers

[Sensible_Speed]

Firstly, many congratulations to Jorge on the championship!!! It was well deserved.

Goody bye Miller. You were brilliant. Hope to see you on the grid again if possible.

Regarding next season, I feel Marquez will win the battle against Pecco in an equivalent bike. He really got going towards the end of this season on a visibly slower GP23. Hope Yamaha's new V4 arrives on time and pushes them to the top again. It is going to be a difficult challenge, but Yamaha doesn't seem as bogged down as Honda is right now. Hope to see some fantastic action next year in Chang.

[Manoj2268]

Miller is on the Pramac Yamaha along with Oliviera.

2025 is Marc's to lose. To be that close to the GP24 on a second hand GP23 all season long - ominous signs up ahead.

OT - Probably the first time - we have 2 rookies from the Asia Talent cup in MotoGP pipeline instead of the usual Red bull European rookies

[Fx14]

Pecco in 2025 - he should be more mature to accept points on offer and hurting from the DNFs this year that cost him the title.

If he would have accepted the points available to him at Portimao and Aragon instead of clashing with the Marquez brothers, this year's title was his.

[Tony2298]

Originally Posted by Sensible_Speed

Firstly, many congratulations to Jorge on the championship!!! It was well deserved.

Definitely! Jorge was so nice throughout the year apart from a few crashes like one on Germany but maybe it was a blessing in disguise for the fans since we got to see the Marquez brothers sharing the podium from the same team.

However Bagnaia was equally good throughout the season and it was only due to some crashes most notable ones being with both the Marquez brothers made him lose crucial points against Martin however he finished in style with consistent first position throughout the closing stages of 2024 season. What's more he was awarded the BMW M Award now for 3years back to back and got yet another spanking new BMW M!

Good bye Miller. You were brilliant. Hope to see you on the grid again if possible.

Miller was one of my favourite rider of the grid and following him since his early Honda days, sad to see him leave for Acosta who has definitely some big shoes to fill although I'm optimistic about Pedro since his performance on a Tech3 machine as a rookie rider was fantastic, experience will only make him better.

Regarding next season, I feel Marquez will win the battle against Pecco in an equivalent bike. He really got going towards the end of this season on a visibly slower GP23. Hope Yamaha's new V4 arrives on time and pushes them to the top again. It is going to be a difficult challenge, but Yamaha doesn't seem as bogged down as Honda is right now. Hope to see some fantastic action next year in Chang.

Even I've a similar thinking and so was Ducati's head management which is why Marc was chosen instead of very deserving Martin since the former clearly said

Pramac is not an option for me

Marc has that hunger of winning the championship and break the long standing record of #46 Rossi, also there's a hidden motive of giving the seat to Marc by Ducati which is they wanna prove that Marc could only win again after so many injuries because he left Repsol Honda and join Ducati making their mark in MotoGP as a formidable constructor of MotoGP, which they simply couldn't get with Vale since then their bikes were too incompetent against the Japanese. Casey Stoner back then could only get hold of a single win in 2007 after a lot of crashes which eventually made him leave Ducati and even MotoGP prematurely! Therefore they want Marc so that he can win for himself and Ducati, a win-win situation for both!

At the end I'm too disheartened by the fact that India was dropped out of the calendar by FIM, firstly when it was kicked out from 2024 season it was stated due to extreme weather conditions, at that time only I took the things with a pinch of salt since if weather was the only issue venues like Indonesia would also have been dropped. Later India was promised the opening round for 2025 season but as of now India has become a reserve track and pushed to 2026 which seems highly unlikely although I would be the happiest one if MotoGP returns to India once again. The track is really good and competitive as stated by riders and even with extreme weather and poor hospitality of the audience the attendance was very nice, sad to see it not getting promoted and financed adequately,.if BCCI can be the richest cricket board of the world, it means we've adequately deep pockets to conduct a MotoGP/F1 race and I assure we've enough fans already who would be actively participating in those events with many more to join. Fingers crossed both MotoGP/F1 returns to India soon!

Thanks
Tony

[bharathdonti]

It was the start of a new MotoGP technical era, with the championship’s two remaining Japanese manufacturers – Honda and Yamaha – led for the first time by European engineers. Interesting times ahead!

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...g4HBYfA0-FlBdg

[Porschefire]

News Feed

I've been away on vacation for a few weeks and was forced by the Home Minister to be off MotoGP during that time! I did negotiate to watch the 2024 finale in the midst of a wedding in the family but could only sneak out for a few minutes to catch glimpses of the Winter testing.

Nevertheless, I'm back now and catching up on all the things I have missed over the past month or so. Here goes -

1) MotoGP: Faster. Forward. Fearless.

The most exciting sport on earth unveils a new brand identity. Crafted with the world’s largest independent design studio, Pentagram, the new identity is more than a logo. It’s a complete evolution of the brand, including artwork, motion, typeface, visual identity and verbal identity designed to take the most exciting sport on earth into a new era.

The M in the new MotoGP logo takes inspiration from two bikes, at a lean, close to each other on track as is unique to the sport. The ‘O’s suggest the wheels' geometry, and the ‘t’ the rider between them. Human and machine. The ‘GP’ evokes the track and helps the logo retain its strong, sporty aesthetic.


Source: https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2024/...earless/513673

2) MotoGP confirms Brazil return for 2026

2026 will see the return of MotoGP to Brazil, thanks to a new deal signed between MotoGP rights holder Dorna, the government of Goias, and Brasil Motorsport.

The Goiânia International Racetrack Ayrton Senna, which will host the events, first welcomed MotoGP from 1987 to 1989. The sport then raced elsewhere in Brazil before a two-decade intermission which will conclude in 2026 once upgrades to the venue in Goiânia are completed.

MotoGP last raced in Brazil at the Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet in Rio, the most recent race there taking place in 2002.


Source: https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2024/...om-2026/515424

3) Augusto Fernandez joins Yamaha as Official MotoGP Test Rider in 2025

Augusto Fernandez has been confirmed as joining the Yamaha MotoGP project as a test rider.

Fernandez, whose two-year career as a full-time MotoGP rider came to an end earlier this year at the close of the 2024 season having been dropped by KTM and the Tech3 team, will join Cal Crutchlow in Yamaha’s official MotoGP test team.


Source: https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2024/...in-2025/515514

4) Liberty Media must overcome EU probe in takeover of MotoGP

The European Union is set to launch a probe into the proposed takeover.

Reported by business network Bloomberg & Reuters, the EU’s new antitrust chief Teresa Ribera and her team are worried that the 3.5 billion euro deal could stifle competition in broadcasting and streaming areas by bringing the MotoGP and F1 brands under the same ownership.

The US company and current owners of Formula 1 announced earlier this year that it had acquired an 86% majority to buy Dorna Sports and MotoGP. Since then, Liberty Media have went through the necessary regulatory processes to get the acquisition completed by its year-end target.


Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...akeover-motogp

5) KTM is bankrupt

The Pierer Mobility Group had announced KTM entering into voluntary restructuring in order to avoid bankruptcy amid ongoing financial woes in the company.

KTM’s financial problems have led to a number of drastic measures in recent months, with its board of directors slashed from six to two while several rounds of staff layoffs have been carried out. In recent weeks it was reported that KTM would be laying off up to another 300 employees, while all production would be ceases in January and February.

A few months ago, KTM announced the departure of Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini without mentioning a successor. This is because the position will no longer be filled, marking a shift in approach revealed by Pit Beirer.

KTM’s workers will go unpaid in December, reports from the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labour have revealed. The Austrian manufacturer had promised a 90 per cent advance on December pay to its employees, but has now backtracked on that promise, reportedly leaving the payment of the salaries and wages meant for December until 2025, and under the responsibility of the insolvency compensation fund.

Also, KTM drops its majority stake at MV Agusta amidst financial crisis. Pierer Mobility AG acquired a 50.1% majority stake in MV Agusta less than a year ago. However, amidst the financial crisis being faced by KTM, the company has decided to drop its stake in the Italian bike brand. The decision to let go of the Italian bike maker was made at a recent meeting where KTM officials reportedly stated that MV Agusta was no longer considered "a strategic asset."

KTM's delicate financial situation is jeopardizing the team's sporting project in MotoGP, and more particularly the future of Pedro Acosta. The young Spanish prodigy, who had signed up with the Austrian team with a view to fighting for the world title, finds himself facing an uncertain future. But his manager Albert Valera is looking out for his interests.
Valera clarified that the MotoGP project is not threatened, but that the competitiveness of the bike remains a big question mark. As for the MotoGP project, from what they tell us, it will continue. There is no danger of not having a bike for next year, but we are concerned about the condition this bike will be in "



6) Aleix Espagaro joins professional cycling team

Aleix Espargaro has joined the Lidl-Trek professional cycling team following the conclusion of his full-time MotoGP career.

Espargaro will begin his time with the Lidl-Trek team officially on 1 January 2025 in an ambassadorial role. The role will also see Espargaro join the Lidl-Trek team at some of the most prestigious events on the calendar.


Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...l-cycling-team

[Porschefire]

News Feed

Marc Marquez ends Red Bull sponsorship


Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...ti-motogp-move

Marc Marquez has confirmed he will not be sponsored by Red Bull next year when he joins the factory Ducati MotoGP squad.

The eight-time world champion has been a Red Bull athlete for the entirety of his MotoGP career, with the brand remaining prominently represented on his crash helmet as he moved from Honda to Gresini Racing in 2024.

One of the key initial sticking points about any Marquez move to the factory Ducati squad was its association with Monster Energy.

While there had been no word on how this would be resolved since he signed his works Ducati deal, the ending of the partnership was hinted at in the post-season Barcelona test last month.

Marquez took part in his first test with the factory Ducati team on a bike and in equipment that had none of his normal personal branding.

Out of respect for Red Bull, Marc will not have a personal sponsor during his Factory Ducati employment.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by Porschefire

Out of respect for Red Bull, Marc will not have a personal sponsor during his Factory Ducati employment.

I believe he won’t have a personal sponsor out of respect to Red Bull only for the 2025 season, not his entire factory Ducati contract.

Cheers

[Porschefire]

Team Presentations

Trackhouse Racing

2025 MotoGP is officially underway with Team Presentations, starting with Trackhouse Racing!

[Porschefire]

Aprilia Racing

Jorge Martin puts the #1 plate on the RS-GP!

[rajeevsulu]

He deserves to have the number 1 plate for his title defence. He was easily the better rider through the year and won the title fair.

Cheers

[Porschefire]

Gresini Racing

[Porschefire]

Ducati Lenovo