In the current format of MotoGP weekends, the premier class of grand prix motorcycle racing consists of four separate sessions that can be considered ‘competitive’. These sessions include practice, qualifying, the sprint race, and the main race. Throughout the Qatar and Portimão races, there were a total of eight sessions. During these eight sessions, Luca Marini, a rookie on the Honda team, consistently finished last or second to last.
Marini was hired last season as a last-minute replacement for Marc Marquez. It was never expected for Marini to replicate Marquez’s success, especially considering Honda’s decline in recent years. Instead, Marini was hired to contribute to the rebuilding process of Honda. The success of his hiring will ultimately depend on the performance of the RC213V at the end of the season.
Currently, the RC213V is not performing well. The Portuguese Grand Prix highlighted that it may be the worst bike in MotoGP, by a significant margin. However, this is not Marini’s fault. Despite showing promise in preseason testing, Marini has not had the start to the season that he and Honda were hoping for.
Marini is one of three MotoGP riders who have yet to score points this season. His teammates, Franco Morbidelli and Raul Fernandez, seem to be in a better position to score points in the near future. A closer analysis of Marini’s races with the Honda/Repsol colors reveals why this is the case.
In the Qatar sprint and Qatar GP, Marini’s lap times were 2.3 seconds and 2.0 seconds slower than the leaders, respectively. In the Portugal sprint and Portugal GP, his lap times were 2.1 seconds and 1.6 seconds slower, respectively. During the Sunday race in Qatar, Marini finished 42 seconds behind the leader and initially complained of a bike issue. However, this did not stop him from battling with Jack Miller for the last position.
Marini has been struggling with the RC213V, especially with entry in the middle of the curve compared to his teammates. He also lacks confidence to push the bike to the limit in one lap. He acknowledges that the bike demands precision and is unforgiving, unlike the Ducati riders who seem to have more confidence in their bikes.
Marini’s difficulties are not necessarily representative of Honda as a whole, but are evident in his performances. A crash during private tests between Qatar and Portimão further affected his confidence. However, he showed some improvement during the Portugal Grand Prix, racing at a similar pace to his teammates.
Marini believes that the key to achieving better results lies in hardware improvements. He recognizes that it takes time to develop new parts for the bike. Evaluating and implementing these parts is his main role within the team. Honda is pleased with his approach, and the current performance of the RC213V should not overshadow the team’s long-term goals.
Marini has experimented with different bike setups, resulting in varying levels of performance. In Qatar, he prioritized gathering useful information rather than finishing in a higher position. In Portimão, he realized that certain adjustments to the bike’s settings and balance were necessary.
Despite his current position, Marini has the security of a two-year contract and can continue working to improve without worrying too much about his position. The 2024 ranking is irrelevant to the Honda seat he currently holds, as it became available when Marquez left.
© 2024
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is causing controversy once again. The Portuguese player, known for his talent on the field and also for his extravagant lifestyle, recently purchased a new luxury private jet. The plane, a Gulfstream G650 model, is one of the most expensive and sophisticated on the market. Ronaldo is said to have shelled out around 28 million euros to acquire the aircraft.
The purchase of the plane has sparked criticism from some fans and experts, who question the need and environmental impact of owning a private jet. In addition, the acquisition of the G650 has also raised questions about the player’s financial situation, as he already has a fortune estimated at over 400 million euros.
However, Ronaldo doesn’t seem to be concerned about the criticism. The player, who currently plays for Manchester United, had already shown his love for airplanes on several occasions. He owns a collection of luxury cars and has also been seen piloting helicopters and private jets on various trips.
Despite the controversies, it is undeniable that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the biggest icons in world soccer. With a career full of titles and records, the Portuguese player has won the hearts of millions of fans around the world. His skill on the field and his charismatic personality make him a prominent figure both in sports and in the media.
Now, with the acquisition of the new private jet, Ronaldo will certainly continue to attract attention. It remains to be seen how the player will reconcile his luxurious lifestyle with his professional responsibilities and commitments. Meanwhile, his fans eagerly await news and achievements from the soccer star.
