F1 close to securing MotoGP?
Posted on April 10, 2025 Tags: Formula One
It’s a $6.2 billion deal!
European Commission expected to give thumbs up
Renowned media gurus Reuters are reporting the EU would provide unconditional antitrust approval enabling the $6.2 billion Aud acquisition to go ahead, citing “people with direct knowledge of the matter” as the source.
Liberty Media – the United States-based owners of Formula 1 – announced 12 months ago they had struck a deal to buy 86% of MotoGP.
The remaining 14% was to remain with MotoGP owners Dorna.
Respected F1 site crash.net is reporting the deal requires approval from the European Commission, which acts on behalf of the EU on matters around competition in business.
Reuters is saying the European Commission will pass through the deal, the deadline for which is July 1.
“There is a very large and growing market for audiovisual entertainment well beyond sports, and the transaction will enhance MotoGP’s ability to compete in this highly competitive market,” a Liberty Media spokesperson said.
Previously, the EU had warned that TV broadcast rights could increase in price because Liberty Media would hold the key to Formula 1 and MotoGP.
Sources say an investigation reportedly centred on whether John Malone (the largest shareholder in Liberty Media and US cable TV company Liberty Global) would have decisive influence over both companies, and whether he could shut out competitors.
This hurdle is now set to be cleared, according to Reuter’s latest report.
That news is rampant throughout the F1 paddock in Bahrain this week, so we’re bound to be regaled by more discussion.
Flexi-wing clampdown a “gamechanger”
Meanwhile Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes the flexi-wing clampdown for the Spanish Grand Prix could be a “game-changer” in the F1 title race.
Right now, just one point separates Lando Norris and Max Verstappen at the top of the F1 drivers’ championship.
Max delivered an absolute masterclass to win the last race at Suzuka from pole position.
It means Max, Lando and Aussie Oscar Piastri each have one race win heading into this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
While It’s widely accepted that McLaren has the fastest car in F1, even if it has been difficult for both drivers to tame on occasion.
However, for the Spanish GP in June, the FIA will introduce stricter tests to combat flexible Flavio Briatorefront wings.
And that, to use an old saying, should put the cat amongst the pigeons
Jack’s 300kph nightmare escape
Aussie Jack Doohan was travelling just shy of 300kph when he crashed into the wall at Suzuka.
It is simply down to the effectiveness of the safety factors enmeshed into the development of 2025 F1 machinery that Jack survived!
How he puts that behind him is for all to see this in Bahrain this weekend.
And just how long his volatile team principal Flavio Briatore can abide young Jack’s unfortunate dilemma is anyone’s guess, despite the Aussie’s formidable Dad Mick Doohan.
The mega-wealthy 75-year-old Flavio is not renowned for his compassion.
Young Guns get Bahrain outing
Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Haas, Aston Martin, and Williams will all field a young driver in Free Practice 1 in Bahrain, to fulfil their FIA mandated obligations to rookie drivers.
For example. Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is replaced in his Red Bull by Ayumu Iwasa (pictured, left) for the session. The Japanese driver has completed FP1 duties for Red Bull’s sister team, in Japan and Abu Dhabi, last year. He also drove in the 2024 postseason Abu Dhabi test. But this will be his first time in the Red Bull – he becomes the latest driver, after Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, to handle the difficult RB21.
And word is Yuki, Max’s newest teammate, will remain in his car for FP1 as he clocks up valuable laps in the RB21.
The teams’ rationale for this change is the temperature during that first session is expected to be warmer than condition for either qualifying or during Sunday’s grand prix.
So, it’s a good opportunity for teams, should they so choose, to give their young guns a firm brush with reality – and comply with the rule book.
Perth time for Free Practice 1 is 1930hrs Friday.
Monaco Auction for Michael’s Ferrari
Michael Schumacher’s 2001 F1 championship-winning Ferrari car is set for auction at the Monaco Grand Prix in June.
Michael won his fourth F1 title in 2001, winning nine of then scheduled 17 races.
RM Sotheby’s are behind the hammer of the extraordinary West German’s title-winning machine, which guided him to victory at that 2001 Monaco Grand Prix.
The auction is scheduled during this year’s event, making it the first time such a vehicle has been sold at F1’s iconic street race.
Weather all good for Bahrain
It’s just over eight thousand kilometres as the crow flies between the cherry blossoms of Japan and this week’s semi-desert archipelago of Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf.
The big difference is the temperature. While the thermometer rarely rose above 20C at Suzuka, highs of around 30 °C are predicted for this coming weekend at Sakhir.
And that, according to the gurus at Pirelli, is a very important variable when it comes to tyre management at the fourth race of the year.
However, the Sakhir track characteristics and indeed the temperatures, will require a different approach to that adopted last week.
Sakhir, Manama, Bahrain
Given all teams were at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit in February for the only pre-season winter testing, there’s plenty of data with which to work to choose the best strategies for qualifying, and the race.
In fact, over 24 hours of track time then the 20 drivers racked up 3,897 laps, equivalent to an extraordinary 21,090.564 kilometres.
And the tyres to be used this weekend did the most work back then – with the C3 doing the lion’s share.
Mind you, unseasonal strong winds during testing led to much cooler air and track temperatures much lower than that forecast for this week.
So, there’s still plenty of work to do for the magic boys and girls who rarely get a decent night’s rest during and F1 weekend.
In 2024 all drivers made at least two stops
If there’s one Grand Prix where a two-stop strategy would seem to be a given, then it’s Bahrain and that was the case last year, when it was the opening round of the season.
Soft and Hard were the preferred compounds, with most teams opting to start on the C3.
The three hours of free practice are always vital in F1- none more so than this weekend‘s FP2, scheduled for a similar time of day as the early part of Sunday’s race.
Sakhir is Tough on Tyres
The Sakhir circuit boasts several layouts but for 2025 it’s the 5.412 km track which features 15 corners, nine to the right and six to the left.
Overtaking is possible, especially under heavy braking at turns 1, 4 and 11.
But when it comes to tyres, Sakhir is one of the toughest on the calendar especially in the braking areas and when traction is required.
The aggregate used for the asphalt at the Bahrain International Circuit is still very abrasive, despite it being quite old now. The surface provides good grip for the tyres, although desert sand blown onto the track can be a nuisance.
Wear is not usually a limiting factor, neither is graining, but thermal degradation, especially across the rear axle, has a significant impact on tyre performance. Pirelli says managing thermal grading is the key to getting a good result.
Tyre Degradation
According to those extraordinary gurus at Pirelli, there are two types of degradation, one that affects the tyre surface and the other that impacts the chemical bonding of the materials that make up the tread.
Both types lead to a loss of tyre performance.
“The first, which we simply call overheating, is generated when the tyre surface slides excessively on the track. In this case, the surface temperature increases and the tyre loses grip. The phenomenon can be reversed by a change of driving style or if the weather conditions change.
“As for thermal degradation, that occurs when the amount of energy exerted on the tyre is high enough to generate heat capable of altering the chemical bonds of the tread and in this case, the loss of grip is irreversible.
“These two phenomena are not entirely independent of one another.”
First F1 race in the Middle East
This week is the 21stedition of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
That first race – in 2004 and won by Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari – was the Middle East’s inaugural Formula 1 World Championship race.
Lewis Hamilton. with five wins, Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in Bahrain. Max has won twice. Of the teams,
Ferrari leads the teams tally with seven wins, and podium finishes (17), while Mercedes on seven has the most pole positions.
Bahrain Grand Prix
PERTH WA TIMES
Bahrain International Circuit 11 – 13 April
FP1 Friday 11th April 19:30
FP2 Friday 11th April 23:00
FP3 Saturday 12th April 20:30
Qualifying Sunday 13th April 00:00
RACE
Sunday 13th April 23:00
NEXT EVENT
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Jeddah Corniche Circuit 18 – 21 April
EDITED by AC
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