Simon Patterson - The Race (Page 26) - The Race

Simon Patterson

Aprilia secures its MotoGP line-up on new two-year deals

Aprilia secures its MotoGP line-up on new two-year deals

It was less straightforward than expected, but Aprilia has now retained Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales as MotoGP riders beyond 2022

Demotion could be a happy ending for doubted MotoGP rookie

Demotion could be a happy ending for doubted MotoGP rookie

Darryn Binder controversially skipped Moto2 to go straight from Moto3 to MotoGP. But with his MotoGP stint looking like it’ll be shortlived, will he finally end up in Moto2 in 2023 – and might he actually thrive there?

MotoAmerica responds to Petrucci’s safety allegations

Motorcycle racing

MotoAmerica responds to Petrucci’s safety allegations

MotoAmerica has its say on Danilo Petrucci’s allegation he was left ignored at the trackside after “one of the worst crashes” of his life, refuting some of his description of events but also acknowledging it has to do better

MotoGP’s most unexpected team/rider divorces

MotoGP’s most unexpected team/rider divorces

Despite all they’ve achieved together in MotoGP lately, Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia really could be on the brink of splitting – and joining a history of seemingly easy deals that fell apart

Petrucci’s post-MotoGP rollercoaster continues with safety ire

Motorcycle racing

Petrucci’s post-MotoGP rollercoaster continues with safety ire

Ex-MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci is thriving in the MotoAmerica superbike championship but isn’t afraid to point out the flaws of the series

Ducati’s hurried MotoGP rider deal looks a tactical misstep

Ducati’s hurried MotoGP rider deal looks a tactical misstep

The works Ducati team’s early commitment to Francesco Bagnaia remains understandable – but it may have cost it negotiating power

MotoGP has to end its aero spiral for the sake of racing

MotoGP has to end its aero spiral for the sake of racing

MotoGP is in rude health, but there are questions about whether the quality of racing is decreasing – with aero the primary culrpit

Dovizioso: Yamaha has become what Honda was

Dovizioso: Yamaha has become what Honda was

Andrea Dovizioso believes Yamaha is suffering from the same problem as Honda has experienced in recent MotoGP seasons. Simon Patterson explains more

The ‘more fair’ rule example MotoGP must follow

The ‘more fair’ rule example MotoGP must follow

Luca Marini has become the latest in a long line of taller drivers to call for MotoGP to change its minimum weight rules

Bagnaia’s admission after ‘points in the trash’ MotoGP error

Bagnaia’s admission after ‘points in the trash’ MotoGP error

MotoGP world championship runner-up Pecco Bagnaia says that it may be time for him to be ‘more mature,’ after he crashed out of Sunday’s French GP while under pressure from fellow Ducati rider (and eventual race winner) Enea Bastianini. His error forces him to concede a serious haul of points and fu

French Grand Prix MotoGP 2022 rider ratings

French Grand Prix MotoGP 2022 rider ratings

There’s a full range of scores from Simon Patterson after MotoGP’s incident-strewn French Grand Prix at Le Mans

Rins claims KTM MotoGP 2023 interest, Miller also linked

Rins claims KTM MotoGP 2023 interest, Miller also linked

KTM could have as many as three MotoGP seats available for 2023, and the likes of Alex Rins and Jack Miller are seemingly on the radar

Bagnaia pushing for Miller as easier 2023 team-mate – Bastianini

Bagnaia pushing for Miller as easier 2023 team-mate – Bastianini

Gresini MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini has sensationally claimed Francesco Bagnaia is pushing to keep Jack Miller as his factory Ducati team-mate because Miller doesn’t threaten Bagnaia’s position as Ducati “leader”

‘It’s part of the game’ – Aprilia’s response to Espargaro angst

‘It’s part of the game’ – Aprilia’s response to Espargaro angst

Following Aleix Espargaro’s admission he’s been left feeling “a bit sad” over his lack of a MotoGP renewal deal, Aprilia – and Espargaro’s manager- have weighed in

MotoGP has its Le Mans ‘man to beat’ – but it’s not that simple

MotoGP has its Le Mans ‘man to beat’ – but it’s not that simple

Fabio Quartararo has “something extra” in terms of MotoGP race pace at Le Mans – but he might not get to use it

MotoGP to retire Valentino Rossi’s number 46

MotoGP to retire Valentino Rossi’s number 46

MotoGP has announced that it will retire the number 46 from the championship at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello in two weeks’ time

RNF Yamaha boss hints at ‘attractive’ Aprilia 2023 option

RNF Yamaha boss hints at ‘attractive’ Aprilia 2023 option

RNF Yamaha’s Razlan Razali admits his MotoGP team has a ‘very attractive back-up option’ for 2023 – believed to be Aprilia

Qatar GP loses MotoGP season-opener slot for 2023

Qatar GP loses MotoGP season-opener slot for 2023

Qatar will not host MotoGP’s 2023 season-opener as extensive work on the circuit is completed

MotoGP claims factory interest to replace Suzuki – but who from?

MotoGP claims factory interest to replace Suzuki – but who from?

MotoGP says it is already fielding interest to take Suzuki’s soon-to-be-vacant manufacturer slot – but there’s a lack of obvious candidates

‘Pretty bleak’ situation prompts KTM rookie’s upgrade plea

‘Pretty bleak’ situation prompts KTM rookie’s upgrade plea

KTM rookie Remy Gardner has pleaded with his manufacturer to bring new material following a “pretty bleak” day of practice at the French Grand Prix

Are MotoGP riders feeling the 2023 heat from Mir and Rins?

Are MotoGP riders feeling the 2023 heat from Mir and Rins?

It’s not just Pol Espargaro who risks being MotoGP collateral for 2023 now that Alex Rins and Joan Mir are on the market

What reluctant Suzuki free agents are saying about MotoGP 2023

What reluctant Suzuki free agents are saying about MotoGP 2023

Suzuki riders Joan Mir and Alex Rins have offered an update on how their 2023 plans are progressing in their first press appearances since news emerged that Suzuki intends to leave MotoGP

‘Like a family’ – Rins reduced to ‘full crying’ by Suzuki exit

‘Like a family’ – Rins reduced to ‘full crying’ by Suzuki exit

Alex Rins says he was left in tears when he was told that Suzuki was planning to leave MotoGP at the end of 2022

Suzuki ‘in discussions’ with Dorna over MotoGP exit

Suzuki ‘in discussions’ with Dorna over MotoGP exit

For the first time, Suzuki has publically spoken about its decision to walk away from MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season

Ducati on the defensive amid MotoGP tyre pressure scrutiny

Ducati on the defensive amid MotoGP tyre pressure scrutiny

In an impromptu call with the MotoGP media, Ducati discussed the front tyre pressure claim that followed Francesco Bagnaia’s Jerez win

Why Mir-to-Aprilia would make more sense than you think

Why Mir-to-Aprilia would make more sense than you think

Aprilia is not the most obvious 2023 MotoGP destination for Joan Mir – but it may well be the best of his options

Every MotoGP-era Suzuki rider ranked

Every MotoGP-era Suzuki rider ranked

There have been some exceptional talents riding for Suzuki in the MotoGP era – but only a select few did so at their peak

Vinales insists on ‘my own way’ over copying team-mate

Vinales insists on ‘my own way’ over copying team-mate

Maverick Vinales is happy to learn from Aprilia standout Aleix Espargaro – but he isn’t convinced that alone can be the answer

MotoGP exclusive: Mir’s manager on Suzuki shock and Honda rumour

MotoGP exclusive: Mir’s manager on Suzuki shock and Honda rumour

Following Suzuki’s MotoGP exit bombshell, Joan Mir’s manager is talking to “almost all” rival teams – while finding himself irate at Suzuki

Outdated Suzuki strategy left its MotoGP team on borrowed time

Outdated Suzuki strategy left its MotoGP team on borrowed time

Suzuki’s outdated road-bike selling strategy has likely played a key role in the manufacturers’ avoidable plan to withdraw from MotoGP

KTM’s troughs are starting to look like its 2022 MotoGP norm

KTM’s troughs are starting to look like its 2022 MotoGP norm

KTM nearly won the first MotoGP race of 2022 and did win the second. But a miserable Jerez full of turning problems feels more like its actual form this season

Brivio quitting sowed the seed for Suzuki’s MotoGP exit

Brivio quitting sowed the seed for Suzuki’s MotoGP exit

Team boss Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1 last year didn’t cause Suzuki to quit MotoGP now. But could Brivio have kept it in the field? Simon Patterson reckons so

Exit shock might end Suzuki’s faltering 2022 MotoGP title bid

Exit shock might end Suzuki’s faltering 2022 MotoGP title bid

Suzuki may be quitting MotoGP, but right now it’s leading the championship. Its impending exit won’t help its faltering title bid, though

Suzuki exit makes MotoGP grid shuffle inevitable

Suzuki exit makes MotoGP grid shuffle inevitable

Suzuki’s shock decision to leave MotoGP at the end of 2022 is a bombshell move that poses plenty of questions about not only the rider market but also the championship’s structure

Yamaha admission is first sign faith in Morbidelli is waning

Yamaha admission is first sign faith in Morbidelli is waning

Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis’s comments at Jerez indicate the team’s patience with Franco Morbidelli might now be starting to wear thin

What Suzuki’s shock MotoGP exit means for the 2023 rider market

What Suzuki’s shock MotoGP exit means for the 2023 rider market

Suzuki’s shock decision to walk away from MotoGP at the end of 2022 has plenty of ramifications for the 2023 rider market. Simon Patterson explains them

Suzuki to exit MotoGP at the end of 2022

Suzuki to exit MotoGP at the end of 2022

Suzuki will walk away from MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season, The Race’s sources in the paddock can confirm

Quartararo: Bad form like start of 2022 will return

Quartararo: Bad form like start of 2022 will return

Fabio Quartararo has finally broken clear at the top of the MotoGP standings – but he’s sure his early-2022 struggles will return

Spanish Grand Prix MotoGP 2022 rider ratings

Spanish Grand Prix MotoGP 2022 rider ratings

While two familiar protagonists took centre stage in the Spanish GP, some of their peers had really bad outings

Bagnaia’s MotoGP title bid begins – a quarter of a season late

Bagnaia’s MotoGP title bid begins – a quarter of a season late

The start to the 2022 MotoGP championship has been nothing short of a disaster for pre-season favourite Pecco Bagnaia. Will the “best lap” of his career in Jerez qualifying be a false dawn or the moment his title bid began?