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When Aleix Espargaro steps off his Aprilia RS-GP for the final time at this weekend’s Barcelona Grand Prix finale, he will be able to look back at a long and ultimately successful MotoGP career that few – including the man himself – are likely to have predicted unfolding the way it did.

In fact, celebrating his career path in grand prix racing as one no rider has traversed before him and probably never will is arguably the greatest tribute one can pay to the 35-year-old.

Set to retire with 255 premier class grand prix starts to his name, in terms of longevity at least, only Valentino Rossi can lay claim to having started more races once Espargaro bids adios to the grind of 20 international events a year.

And – cliche though it may be – if Espargaro’s career was a cheese, it certainly went on to mature into a fine blue. Indeed, with one round still to go, Espargaro will depart having tallied at least three MotoGP victories, plus two sprint race wins, 11 podiums and seven pole positions.

Moreover, not just for himself, but that maiden success at the 2022 Argentinian GP will rank as one of the series’ most memorable modern-era successes destined to be raised in fondness long after his final chequered flag.

Granted, while there is some backhanded cynicism to go with the addendum of his first victory coming at the 200th attempt in the premier class, the belatedness also speaks of a rider whose dogged attitude towards development and an ability to rally a team around him succeeded in keeping him on the grid when many more decorated contemporaries came and went.

Espargaro belatedly broke his duck at the 2022 Argentina GP, reaping the rewards of his lengthy relationship with Aprilia

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Espargaro made his 125cc debut in 2004 and ascended to 250cc in 2006 before a full MotoGP debut came in 2009. Save for a season of Moto2 in 2011, he has remained on the MotoGP grid for an impressive 15 years. Indeed, there is some butterfly theory you could apportion to Espargaro being somewhat fortunate that a MotoGP career was even possible at all, even if being in the right place at that right time preceded a lengthy stint in the wrong one.

Grappling for grip on a junior development path that counted the likes of Marco Simoncelli, Alvaro Bautista, Hector Barbera and Hiroshi Aoyama among him in the quarter-litre division, Espargaro’s results in both 125cc and 250cc were solid, if not sparkling. Though a regular top 10 finisher, a personal best of fifth after four full seasons didn’t present him as a future MotoGP race winner, so much so that he was left without a 250cc seat altogether coming into 2009.

But being consigned to a Moto2 development rider role would go on to work in his favour. Espargaro was called up when Pramac Racing required a substitute for the injured Mika Kallio at short notice ahead of August’s Indianapolis GP.

Espargaro’s legacy is a reminder of what perseverance and loyalty can achieve

The limitations of what was then a modestly competitive Ducati machinery notwithstanding, Espargaro acquitted himself well during a four-event stint, finishing and scoring in each. It led to a full-time deal for 2010 that set him on a long-term MotoGP career path that may not have ever come had he not been sidelined in the first place.

Leaving MotoGP with victories to a name will always be a credit to any rider. But by achieving his on an Aprilia package that for many years prior had been battling for relative scraps, Espargaro’s legacy is a reminder of what perseverance and loyalty can achieve.

Scouted by Aprilia for 2017 MotoGP season for his experience, Espargaro arrived at a team still finding its feet two years on from its return to the top flight after an absence of more than a decade. While Espargaro’s entry route from Suzuki – which also beat the comeback trail to MotoGP in 2015 – ensured he was familiar with a native project, at Aprilia he’d inherited one making only modest progress by comparison.

The combination of Aprilia splitting its project between being partly in-house, partly choreographed by Gresini Racing, machinery that had evolved awkwardly from a WorldSBK platform and questionable reliability would send it down several erroneous paths of development.

Espargaro was in the right place at the right time to get his MotoGP shot on a Pramac Ducati in 2009, and parlayed it into a lengthy career

Photo by: Martin Heath / Motorsport Images

It was a credit then to Espargaro for keeping morale high during what would become a loyal eight-season stretch with Aprilia, for better and for worse. Having Espargaro grow with the project would prompt Aprilia to retain faith in the Spaniard to see it through, a vote of confidence that helped him return incrementally better results with each passing season.

So while Espargaro might not have been the obvious candidate to become a contender for race wins for much of his MotoGP career, by the time Aprilia had fettled the RS-GP into a competitive package, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Espargaro achieving the best results on it.

A run to fourth overall during a 2022 season that delivered six podiums, including that popular maiden victory at Rio de Termas Hondo, is a crowning achievement in itself. But for Espargaro it comes with the thick slab of pride that comes from not only proving his credentials as an elite MotoGP rider, but doing so on a machine he’d curated from years of lengthy and often difficult development work.

In a series where most riders set out to traverse an upward trajectory towards a well-established front-line team in their pursuit of success, what sets Espargaro apart is that he’d take an entire manufacturer and team with him too.

As a new chapter as a development rider for Honda awaits, Espargaro will look over at Aprilia knowing he was the one to lay the foundation from which successors Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi will springboard from in 2025. And that is something to be especially proud of.

Espargaro can bow out this weekend feeling rightly proud of his career

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

If Jorge Martin is crowned the 2024 MotoGP champion in this weekend’s Barcelona Grand Prix finale, he will become the first rider to win a premier class title with a satellite team since Valentino Rossi 23 years ago.

Having led the championship for almost the entire season, the Pramac rider holds a substantial 24-point lead with 37 left available meaning he looks set to finally claim a maiden world title.

This comes after nearest rival Francesco Bagnaia, who has won the past two titles, crashed on his factory Ducati in the sprint race at Sepang before scoring just five points in the grand prix last time out. 

Martin could therefore seal the championship as early as Saturday if he is able to extend his lead over Bagnaia by two points.

Having had to accept an agonising defeat to Bagnaia last season, a victory in this year’s ‘rematch’ will make Martin the first rider to win the world championship with a satellite team since the MotoGP era of the series began in 2002.

It is worth noting that Pramac did win the teams’ title last year with Martin and Johann Zarco, becoming the first satellite squad to do so in the entire history of the championship. But no one has won the riders’ crown while racing for a satellite team since Rossi achieved the feat in the 500cc class in 2001.

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Having already come close to beating Suzuki’s Kenny Roberts Jr to the crown in his rookie season in 2000 while riding for what was officially known as the Nastro Azzurro team, Rossi claimed the first of his seven premier class titles in dominant fashion the following season.

The Italian had to remain at Nastro Azzurro in 2001, since the factory Repsol Honda team already had Alex Criville and Tohru Ukawa on its roster.

But Nastro Azzurro was treated as a semi-factory operation and received equipment directly from Honda, while Rossi himself was supported by the crew that had worked with the legendary Mick Doohan until his retirement in 2000.

Still, his campaign went down in history, as he won 11 of the 16 races to outgun Yamaha’s Max Biaggi to the title.

Apart from Rossi, four other riders have won the 500cc title with a non-factory team, although in each case the outfit in question was treated favourably by its associated manufacturer.

The first rider to achieve that feat was Kenny Roberts Sr. The Californian, who had previously made a name for himself on dirt tracks, stole the show from Barry Sheene as a rookie for Yamaha’s American division.

Podium: winner Valentino Rossi, second place Alex Barros, third place Loris Capirossi

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Although he didn’t get the latest parts on his bike at the start of the season, the Iwata brand eventually started supporting him as the year progressed. He also won the title in 1979 while remaining at its American arm, before delivering the factory squad the title in 1980.

Two other cases of non-factory team riders winning the championship followed immediately afterwards. In 1981 and 1982, Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini were crowned champions on a Suzuki RG500 entered by Nava Gallina – a team led by former grand prix rider Roberto Gallina.

The last rider to win a premier class title on a satellite bike before Rossi was Eddie Lawson. The Californian was also a special case, because he had already won three titles in 1984, ’86 and ’88 with the official Yamaha team. 

In 1989, he switched to Honda, but with the Rothmans squad as the factory seats were already occupied by Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan. However, a serious injury for Gardner at Laguna Seca prompted HRC to give more support to Lawson, who duly repaid the faith entitled him by beating Yamaha’s Wayne Rainey to the title.

Martin is now set to join this illustrious club of riders, pending the outcome of the Barcelona finale.

Formula 1’s 75th anniversary season will begin in unprecedented and unfamiliar surroundings as all 10 teams launch their 2025 liveries alongside one another at London’s O2 Arena on 18 February.

The event will bring together all 20 drivers and their team principals, giving fans a first look at how the F1 grid will look for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 16 March.

While some 2025 car designs are likely to still be under wraps before the show, the liveries will all be revealed simultaneously at an event led by BrianBurkeCreative – the company behind the opening and closing ceremonies at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix a year ago.

Tickets will range from £58-£113 plus booking fee and go on general sale on Friday morning, with the promise of an “interactive event” including “interviews with key figures from the sport” with drivers and team bosses involved.

The event will also be streamed online and F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali is anticipating an evening to remember.

“For the first time we will bring together our fans, all 20 superstars of our sport and some very special guests to officially kick-off our new season and mark our 75th year of racing,” he said.

O2 launch event

Photo by: Formula 1

“With 2025 set to be a classic season following all the drama so far for 2024, this is a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to experience up-close the incredible entertainment spectacle that is Formula 1.”

Having worked on the events in Vegas, Brian Burke, the Creative Director for BrianBurkeCreative – who will work alongside Stufish Entertainment Architechs, DX7 Design and 1826 to put on the show – is looking forward to once again providing the F1 entertainment.

“It’s an incredible honour to continue to partner with Formula 1 creating new entertainment experiences, especially this brand-new launch event of the 2025 season celebrating the 75th anniversary of the sport,” he said.

“Through our collaboration with all 10 teams, fans can be assured we’ll be delivering a truly exciting live experience combining the unveiling of the new liveries, interviews with the biggest names in F1, and cutting-edge entertainment.

“It will be a never-before-seen event not to be missed!”

The FIA has announced Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich has left his role with immediate effect.

On Tuesday the FIA said in a statement that the German had left his position ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix to “pursue new opportunities”.

“The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 Race Director to pursue new opportunities,” the statement said.

“Niels has fulfilled his numerous responsibilities as Race Director with professionalism and dedication. We thank him for his commitment and we wish him the best for the future.”

Portugal’s Rui Marques, who has acted as F2’s and F3’s race director for the past two years, will take over from Wittich from Las Vegas onwards.

“Rui Marques will assume the role of Race Director from the Las Vegas Grand Prix,” the FIA stated.

“Rui brings a wealth of experience having previously served as track marshal, scrutineer, national and international steward, Deputy Race Director and Race Director in various championships. Most recently, he held the position of Formula 2 and Formula 3 Race Director.”

Among other roles, Wittich has been F1’s race director since 2022, replacing Michael Masi after the controversial finish to 2021’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Wittich initially shared the role with FIA WEC race director Eduardo Freitas, before taking over the role full-time later that year.

Previously, the 52-year-old German was a race director in the German DTM championship.

The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has announced Dan Fallows has stepped down with immediate effect from his role as technical director of the Silverstone squad.

Fallows joined Aston Martin in April 2022, taking up the job of technical director after a long stint with Red Bull, where he rose through the ranks to become Chief Engineer – Aerodynamics.

Under his watch Aston Martin enjoyed a brief growth spurt in 2023, taking eight podiums with Fernando Alonso aboard the AMR23. But Aston’s form then tailed off as rival teams caught up. This year it has been stuck in fifth place in the constructors’ standings as it struggled to develop its AMR24, which led to the team’s call to make a change to try and turn around its fortunes.

The team has now announced that Fallows has stepped down from his role as technical director with immediate effect and leave the F1 team, but he will remain active within the wider Aston Martin group in a yet-to-be-announced capacity.

“The Aston Martin Formula 1 Team and Technical Director Dan Fallows have today jointly announced that from November, Dan will no longer serve as Technical Director of the Formula One Team. Dan will remain with the Group,” a statement by the team said.

“In my time at Aston Martin, it has been a joy and a privilege to guide the technical team on their journey towards being race and championship winners,” said Fallows. “ It is time for me to pass on the baton, but I look forward to watching the team’s future success, which I am sure will come soon.” 

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Group CEO Andy Cowell added: ‘I would like to thank Dan for his contribution to Aston Martin in the last two years. Dan led the team to the success of the AMR23 which secured eight podiums last season.” 

As well as Cowell taking over from Martin Whitmarsh as CEO this year, the team has also headhunted legendary Red Bull designer Adrian Newey, who is set to start in March, as well as long-time Ferrari stalwart Enrico Cardile, who will also join in 2025.

Fallows was set to report to Cardile, who will join as Chief Technical Officer, but Motorsport.com understands the team hasn’t yet decided if Fallows will be directly replaced once its new hires are in place.

In the meantime, Fallows’ responsibilities will be absorbed by Aston’s current technical leadership, which includes deputy technical director Eric Blandin and Bob Bell, who holds the role of Executive Director – Technical.

Alongside Aston’s hiring spree, the squad has also moved into a brand-new headquarters opposite the Silverstone circuit this year, with a state-of-the-art wind tunnel on the way.