MotoGP Americas GP: What to look forward to this weekend.
MotoGP Americas GP Weekend Preview
It’s time for another high-octane weekend of MotoGP action as we head to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Texas for round 3, the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas! Here's the lowdown of what to expect from the weekend ahead.
The "Horsepower Rodeo" Awaits
COTA is a wild ride for both the riders and the spectators. With its elevation changes, fast left-right-left sequence, and long, straight, bumpy sections that can surprise even the best, it's no wonder they call it the "Horsepower Rodeo." This year, some key sections – turns 2, 9-11, 12, and 16-1 – have been resurfaced to smoothen things a bit.
Michelin's New Rubber
To handle the unique COTA challenge, Michelin is bringing a brand new tire compound.
Piero Taramasso, manager of the Michelin Two-Wheel competition, explains:
"We know COTA well, but the new compounds add some unknowns. We've chosen symmetrical front tyres in three options (soft, medium, and hard) and two asymmetrical rear options (soft and medium)."
Can Marquez Reclaim His Crown?
Marc Marquez, the former "King of COTA" with the most wins ( 7 wins in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021) on this track, has been let down by his machinery lately. His uncompetitive Honda in recent years has opened the door for others.
Alex Rins (Suzuki in 2019, LCR Honda in 2023), Enea Bastianini (Gresini Ducati in 2022), and others have taken the "Sheriff's Crown" from Marquez.
This season, however, the initial 2 weekends have been solid for Marquez in terms of how good his pace has been on the Gresini Ducati. Despite his crash in the last race with Bagnaia, Marquez was the fastest GP23 on the track and was fighting in the Top competitive Spots.
Marquez scored a Sprint podium in Portimao, when asked about Qatar - which has been a strong track, he mentioned that he would at Max - Sign a podium rather than estimating a race win.
"Obviously, we arrive at a good race track for my riding style,
In the past, we achieved many good results. But right now still, as I saw in Portimao, there are three, four riders faster than me.”
"So, let's see if here I can be a bit closer.”
"If today you say you will achieve your first podium, I would sign [for it]. Before a victory, the podium must arrive [first]. So, let's see step by step."
- Marquez in the Pre Race press conference
Championship Picture Heats Up
The championship standings have shuffled after the race-ending crash in Portugal involving Marquez and Bagnaia. Jorge Martin leads by a comfortable 18 points over Brad Binder (2nd) and Enea Bastianini (3rd). While these are early days, every point counts.
Martin is a qualifying beast, but can he deliver on Sundays? Binder and Bagnaia, on the other hand, have proven to be strong on race day.
Will Martin extend his lead, or will there be another surprising twist in the championship battle?
Trackhouse Racing's Home Turf
The American team, Trackhouse Racing, will be racing in front of their home crowd for the first time.
Trackhouse Racing joined the MotoGP grid in 2024, it proved some intent when it made a star signing of Davide Brivio as their Team Principal.
Davide’s reputation and achievements at the very pinnacle of two-wheel World Championship racing are recognized across the racing world. Brivio led Suzuki to the title with Joan Mir in 2020 and was team manager for the factory Yamaha outfit when MotoGP great Valentino Rossi was the star rider.
The team should expect passionate home fan support this weekend.
Rins or the Beast?
After his surprise victory at COTA last year on the LCR Honda, Alex Rins is back with a new challenge—riding for Yamaha. Despite Yamaha struggling for pace, Alex Rins also struggles to keep up with Fabio Quartararo. However, COTA can be full of surprises, and if Alex wins or challenges to win, that might be the start of a challenge for Quartararo.
Will he adapt quickly enough to claim another victory on his favorite track?
Enea Bastianini is another strong contender for the COTA challenge, Having won in 2022 with a great pace, he has been fast as the season started - having achieved a P2 in the Portimao Grand Prix, he is someone who shouldn’t be discounted.
More Shark Attack?
Pedro Acosta has the spotlight on him, after scoring a podium in his 2nd ever MotoGP Race and some impressive fights in the Sprints of the first 2 Races and the Qatar Grand Prix.
Acosta’s bold overtake on Pecco Bagnaia at Portimao earned him a lot of praise as the paddock already raved about how the rookie has shaken up the MotoGP world with extremely quick and ferocious battles in the limited outings he has had till now.
Pedro can be a contender for the weekend and spring up some surprises challenging the seasoned riders with his pace.
Honda & Yamaha: Struggles & Hope
Yamaha fans can breathe a sigh of relief with Fabio Quartararo re-signing and shutting down Aprilia rumors. He signed a 2-year extension with the Yamaha Team.
“Of course we talked to different manufacturers,” he started. “The decision was not easy. But in Portugal we had a great meeting with top management of Yamaha, engineers, about the project from now until the end of the year and 2025 and 2026.
“There are some really interesting things, which are still confidential in Yamaha, new people, and the project is going to be huge. So, the decision was made in Portugal.”
- Quartararo at the Pre race Press conference
It was reported that Aprilla offered Fabio a 4 Million Dollar a year deal. Yamaha, on the other hand, Counter offered 3x salary, a whopping 12 million Dollar deal, making him the highest-paid rider in the paddock. Quartararo admits it will take time to transform the M1 into a competitive machine again but thinks 2025 is a realistic aim.
Honda, however, is still searching for answers. Joan Mir was their highest finisher last time out.
Silly season and the word around
Some Reports suggest that Prima Pramac Racing may be Interested in changing its machinery from Ducati, the best bike right now, to Yamaha machinery.
There are rumors that Ducati has set June 2 as the deadline for a decision on activating the team’s option to renew, there has been a June 2 deadline from Yamaha too for the Prima Pramac team
Regarding the possible move to Yamaha for Pramac, Martin tells a tale of caution:
“I think I won’t stay here. Well, at the moment I am more attached to Ducati than with Pramac”
“It has been like this for all my MotoGP career. Everybody knows what my priority is”
Martin has been aiming for the Factory seat at the Ducati team for a while now, this possible change of manufacturers increases the urgency and hunger for Martin to perform at levels that get Ducati factory Bosses to turn around and pay attention to their last year’s Title rival.
Who will reign supreme at COTA? Will Marquez reclaim his crown, or will a new rider rise to the challenge? Or are we in for a shock win again? Stay tuned to find out!
Schedule for the Weekend
You can watch all the sessions live on Jio Cinema.
