Mercedes driver George Russell has shed light on growing tensions between Formula 1 drivers and the FIA, claiming that several on the grid are “fed up” with the sport’s governing body. The grievances stem from issues including unclear fines, lack of communication, and transparency, with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA)—where Russell serves as a director—openly voicing its concerns.

“Drivers Demand Transparency”

On November 7, the GPDA published an open letter on Instagram calling on FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to address their concerns directly. The letter emphasized the need for financial transparency and open dialogue, highlighting growing dissatisfaction among drivers.

“We once again request that the FIA President provides financial transparency and direct open dialogue with us,” the letter read.

Russell, speaking during the Las Vegas Grand Prix Drivers’ Press Conference, revealed that the FIA has yet to respond to the drivers’ statement.

“As of right now, we haven’t received a response from the FIA, which we were a little bit surprised about,” Russell said. “We want transparency and dialogue, but it feels like we’re not being listened to.”

Fines and Financial Accountability

One of the GPDA’s primary frustrations centers around driver fines, some of which the FIA has said could reach as high as $1 million. According to Russell, there’s little clarity about how these funds are used, with drivers wanting assurance that they benefit the sport, such as through grassroots programs or safety initiatives.

“If we know where [the money] is being reinvested—into grassroots or training programs—we’d understand,” Russell explained. “But right now, we’re in the dark.”

The issue has particularly irked drivers, especially given that fines for actions like swearing or minor infractions appear excessive without clear reinvestment plans.

A Revolving Door at the FIA

Another sticking point for drivers is the constant turnover within the FIA, with key figures leaving their posts in quick succession. Russell believes this instability has contributed to the lack of meaningful communication and progress on driver concerns.

“There’s been a lot of changeover at the FIA recently, which hasn’t helped,” Russell noted. “It’s created a situation where drivers don’t feel heard.”

Russell specifically mentioned the departure of former Race Director Niels Wittich, which he says highlights the drivers’ exclusion from important decisions.

“Fed Up With the Situation”

Russell emphasized that the drivers’ frustrations come from a place of wanting to improve the sport, not personal grievances.

“Ultimately, we’re only doing this for the benefit of the sport,” he said. “But there’s a number of drivers who feel fed up with the whole situation, and it seems like things are going in the wrong direction.”

The GPDA has attempted to work internally to resolve these issues, but Russell suggested past efforts have yielded little change, prompting the group to go public.

“We’ve probably learned that whenever we’ve spoken up internally, it hasn’t gone anywhere,” Russell admitted. “It’s been a couple of years now, and not much has changed.”

The Path Forward

While Russell acknowledged that scheduling a face-to-face meeting with FIA President Ben Sulayem is “not difficult,” he argued that securing meaningful change remains a challenge.

“Getting things to change, or promises upheld, seems slightly more challenging,” he said. “We want to do a small U-turn on a number of topics and work with the FIA, but that’s just not been happening.”

The drivers are now urging the FIA to recognize the seriousness of their concerns and engage in a collaborative approach to address issues like financial transparency, fines, and overall governance.

A Growing Divide

Russell’s comments underline a widening gap between drivers and the FIA, one that could strain relationships further if left unresolved. As Formula 1 continues to expand its global reach and popularity, ensuring open communication between drivers and the governing body will be crucial to maintaining the sport’s credibility and unity.

For now, the GPDA stands united, pushing for accountability and a renewed partnership with the FIA. Whether their demands will lead to meaningful change remains to be seen—but the drivers are making it clear: their voices need to be heard.

O conteúdo George Russell Speaks Out: F1 Drivers ‘Fed Up’ With FIA Over Transparency and Fines aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The provisional entry list for the 2025 Moto3 World Championship was published on Wednesday, although it is still incomplete. There are two vacancies to be filled in the grid: one at Leopard Racing, and the other at the FleetSafe Honda-MLav Racing.

The entry-level class of the World Championships will feature several rookies, as well as returning riders. The top four finishers from this year will be promoted to Moto2, so the highest-ranked rider from 2024 who remains in Moto3 is fifth-placed David Muñoz, who moves to the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP team.

CFMOTO Aspar, which helped David Alonso claim the title, will have an entirely new rider lineup, consisting of rookie Máximo Quiles, who comes from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, and Dennis Foggia, who is making the rare move down from Moto2.

This year’s Rookies Cup champion, Álvaro Carpe, will also make his Moto3 debut, joining the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, along with Valentin Perrone, who will race for Red Bull KTM Tech3. Of the top five finishers in the Rookies Cup, only Brian Uriarte and Rico Salmela are absent from the provisional entry list. However, as two slots remain open, they are not ruled out.

Eddie O’Shea will contest his first full season with FleetSafe Honda-MLav Racing after joining mid-season from the Indonesian GP this year.

From the FIM JuniorGP, in addition to Carpe and Quiles, Cormac Buchanan and Ruché Moodley will also join Moto3 with BOE Motorsports. Among the teams, there are no major changes except for slight adjustments to their respective designations. CFMOTO will no longer be represented as a constructor, with the bike now being a KTM – though it was already a KTM this year under the CFMOTO brand name.

Provisional entry list for 2025 Moto3 World Championship

• CFMOTO Aspar Team/KTM
  • #29 Máximo Quiles
    #71 Dennis Foggia
• MT Helmets-MSi/KTM
  • #6 Ryusei Yamanaka
  • #36 Ángel Piqueras
• Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP/KTM
  • #24 Tatsuki Suzuki
  • #64 David Muñoz
• Red Bull KTM Tech3
  • #12 Jacob Roulstone
  • #73 Valentin Perrone
• Leopard Racing/Honda
  • #31 Adrián Fernández
  • Rider TBA
• BOE Motorsports/KTM
  • #14 Cormac Buchanan
  • #21 Ruché Moodley
• Red Bull KTM Ajo
  • #83 Álvaro Carpe
  • #99 José Antonio Rueda
• SIC58 Squadra Corse/Honda
  • #58 Luca Lunetta
  • #82 Stefano Nepa
• Honda Team Asia
  • #5 Tatchakorn Buasri
  • #72 Taiyo Furusato
• LevelUp-MTA/KTM
  • #18 Matteo Bertelle
  • #66 Joel Kelso
• Rivacold Snipers Team/Honda
  • #10 Nicola Carraro
  • #54 Riccardo Rossi
• CIP Green Power/KTM
  • #19 Scott Ogden
  • #55 Noah Dettwiler
• FleetSafe Honda-MLav Racing
  • #8 Eddie O’Shea
  • Rider TBA

O conteúdo Provisional entry list for the 2025 Moto3 World Championship revealed with two seats yet to be filled aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The MotoGP test day in Barcelona left Fabio Quartararo feeling encouraged. The Monster Energy Yamaha rider finished in second place, but more importantly, he saw practical results from the work and investment of the Iwata manufacturer.

The Frenchman expressed his satisfaction with Yamaha now having four riders on the track and new engineers onboard: ‘It was good to finally have four riders. I haven’t had the chance to speak with them yet, because we were quite busy. But it’s great to have four riders, four factory bikes, with riders coming from two different manufacturers, engineers coming from different manufacturers. This was great, and I think that we made some steps during the test’.

Regarding finishing in one of the top positions, Quartararo said: ‘It feels good at least to see your name at the top. Even if it is just testing, you go home with a good feeling. We are still very far away from the top guys, but at least I could enjoy, set a great pace and put in some good laps’.

«El Diablo» concluded the test feeling faster but refrained from making any firm judgments about his competitiveness compared to his rivals: ‘I feel a bit faster, closer I don’t know because during tests it’s quite difficult to really analyze well. But in terms of positions we are a bit better, even it is just testing. We will see from the last day in Thailand what our realistic position is’.

When asked if his work for 2024 was done, Quartararo replied: ‘Not yet. I still have a few things to say and to talk with the team. But I don’t even take it as work. I’m enjoying on the bike, I’m starting to really enjoy because I can really push the limits. But we have a clear goal and that is to come back, and whatever we can do to be back as soon as possible, we will do it’.

O conteúdo ‘It was good to finally have four riders; it’s great’ – Fabio Quartararo aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Kymco took advantage of the EICMA to unveil its first adventure maxi scooter – the CV-R5. This new addition to the Chinese brand’s lineup will soon be available to customers.

The frame is designed with the engine as a central element. This engine is a 427cc single-cylinder, delivering a maximum power of 34.4 hp and 40 Nm of torque. The scooter features an automatic CVT transmission, with final chain typical of adventure bikes, and offers a multi-map ride-by-wire.

The suspension system includes an inverted fork at the front and a monoshock with a Pivoting Torque Management system at the rear. The wheels are 15 inches at the front and 14 inches at the rear, fitted with semi-knobby tyres.

The CV-R5 comes equipped with ABS, traction control, and tire pressure monitoring. The seat, set at a height of 800 millimeters, hides a storage compartment large enough to fit a full-face helmet.

The instrument panel is a color TFT display, and the lighting is fully LED. The rider benefits from a high, exposed handlebar and handguards. Complementing the scooter’s geometric design lines is a sporty exhaust system.

O conteúdo Kymco debuts in adventure maxi scooters with the new CV-R5 aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The Aprilia sports range has been refreshed, including the RS 125 and Tuono 125 models. Both bikes now come with updated equipment for 2025, as well as new color schemes.

The motorcycles share a single-cylinder engine with completely revised tuning, delivering 15 hp of power and 11.5 Nm of torque – enchmark figures in their category. The engine complies with Euro 5+ emission standards.

The frame is made of aluminum, with the Tuono 125 featuring a black-painted version. Both models include a new exhaust cover. The braking system is derived from higher-category models and features Bosch’s new two-channel ABS.

Also new is a traction control system, which can be deactivated. An electronic Quick Shift gearbox is available as an optional feature. The fuel tank has a capacity of 14.5 liters.

The lighting is fully LED, and the instrument panel consists of an LCD screen. The RS 125 and Tuono 125 are ready for the Aprilia MIA multimedia platform, which allows connection to a smartphone via Bluetooth. A USB charging port is available as an optional accessory.

In terms of color options, the RS 125 comes in two new schemes: Kingsnake White with red accents and Cyanide Yellow with black graphics. The Tuono 125 is available in the new Viper Yellow with black accents and Mamba Grey with red accents.

O conteúdo Aprilia RS 125 and Tuono 125 updated for 2025 aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Franco Morbidelli completed his first day as a Pertamina Enduro VR46 rider during the MotoGP test in Barcelona. This session allowed him to begin working with the team, which he largely knows well from his many years with the VR46 Riders Academy.

The Italian, who will also retain the bike he used this year with Pramac, said this test was primarily about adaptation: ‘It was important just get to know each other, get to know the people I’m working with and I’m going to work with next year: Matteo [Flamigni], Dani. It was good, it was a great first day. We did some changes on the bike just to understand the comments and understand what was happening if we were doing something’.

In Morbidelli’s view, the better the team gels during testing, the better the performance will be: ‘So, it’s a connection between me and the crew, and that’s going to make the difference next year: the better we get to know each other in testing, the better we are going to act in race weekends and race days’.

Despite already knowing several VR46 team members and the bike, the #21 rider doesn’t expect the process to be easier. However, he believes there is something valuable to capitalize on: ‘The testing time will not be easier, but I think we have a special thing in our hands: the knowledge that we have with each other, and the admiration that I have for Matteo and everyone inside the team – I know all the guys since I’m a little kid – it’s a magical thing. And we need to use it in the best way. We need to use it to bond and to connect in the best and quickest way as possible in order to achieve what we want to achieve’.

O conteúdo ‘We have a magical thing, and we need to use it in the best way’ – Franco Morbidelli aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Ducati chose not to promote Jorge Martín to its factory team for the 2025 MotoGP season, resulting in the rider moving to Aprilia while Ducati brought in Marc Márquez.

This decision means the Borgo Panigale manufacturer will lose this year’s world champion. However, Ducati’s General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, stated to Mundo Deportivo that he does not regret the choice, as Martín’s championship win had already been considered a possibility:

– When we made the decision, it was obvious that we thought about the possibility of Martín becoming world champion. We do not regret it, because we had considered this possibility and knew we would have to accept it.

The Italian engineer further explained: ‘I have always said that my goal was to keep three riders, including Martín, but it wasn’t possible. I had to make a decision, and I don’t regret it’.

O conteúdo Ducati has no regrets about letting Jorge Martín «Slip away» aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

After competing on KTM and Aprilia bikes in MotoGP, Miguel Oliveira is now set to experience an inline four-cylinder engine for the first time with Yamaha.

The Portuguese rider had his first contact with this power unit during Tuesday’s test in Barcelona. Naturally, he was asked about his impressions

The rider, who will compete for Prima Pramac Yamaha in 2025, stated: ‘It has positives, and it has some things that need to be improved’.

It is worth noting that Yamaha is currently developing a new V4 engine, following the concept adopted by other manufacturers in MotoGP. However, there is no set date yet for its introduction in races.

O conteúdo Miguel Oliveira’s first impression of the inline-four engine aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The MotoGP test in Barcelona left Joan Mir far from pleased. Honda did not have new components to test, and the 2020 World Champion believes the situation should have been very different.

The Spaniard stated, as quoted by Motorsport.com: ‘I was expecting more here to improve the project. This isn’t a good moment to make evaluations; I did 70 laps with things I’ve already tested at least twice before. I think everyone on the team also expected more. It was really necessary to bring a new bike here and start to see some progress’.

The situation has left Mir visibly concerned: ‘Some things arrived during the year because work was being done, and perhaps the timing got delayed because of that, but we expected more. Nothing significant is happening, and you have to believe because you’re committed to staying here for another two years’.

Looking ahead to the upcoming test in Jerez next week, Mir admitted he has little expectation and remains skeptical about any major breakthroughs: ‘It doesn’t seem like they will bring a rocket or an entirely new bike. What they might do is bring parts that help improve the current package. Maybe a motor configuration – I don’t know, but that’s what I imagine’.

O conteúdo Joan Mir angry with Honda: ‘It was necessary to bring a new bike here’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Maverick Viñales made his debut on the KTM RC16 of the Tech3 team this Tuesday during the Barcelona test session. It marked his first experience with the new bike after three years riding for Aprilia.

The Spaniard shared an overall positive first impression but acknowledged that there are still elements he needs to learn and adapt to his riding style:

– Well, I started the day with no expectations, trying to be very open-minded. The feeling was positive straightaway even on the out lap, everything comes very naturally. Of course, there are still many things that I need and integrate into my riding style, because I need that learning process to become more natural in the riding style. But the feeling was good.

On his first day with the KTM, Viñales opted for a straightforward approach, as he explained: ‘We didn’t test too much, to be honest. I just asked to have Pedro’s [Acosta] set-up, and I tried to ride and understand the bike. So, it was quite good’.

Regarding his impressions of working with KTM, the #12 commented: ‘The technicians were quite eager, especially in the first outing, to hear the feedback from the rider. But overall, we always had a good communication, we didn’t touch the bike too much – only little adjustments. I really wanted to take Pedro’s bike and ride it until I went fast. I worked a bit with Dani [Pedrosa] and Pol [Espargaró], trying to understand where I need to push the bike, when I need to be more gentle. Working with them was a nice experience, to be honest’.

O conteúdo Maverick Viñales impressed with the KTM RC16: ‘The feeling was positive straightaway’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.