2019

Valentino Rossi starts his 24 th season of grand prix racing this weekend in Qatar. All but four of those campaigns have been in the premier-class, where the Italian has claimed seven championship titles and holds the all-time win record of 89 victories.

After spending his first full Moto2 season with NTS, Joe Roberts joins the newly-branded 'American Racing KTM ' team for 2019.

Runner-up in the last two races of 2018, then a fierce pace during pre-season tests at Sepang and Qatar means Alex Rins and Suzuki have their sights set on MotoGP race wins in 2019.

Maverick Vinales says after rediscovering his pace and rhythm on the Yamaha he can fight for the rostrum but feels development work is still needed at the 2019 season opener in Qatar.

One of the few MotoGP riders not to compete in the smaller grand prix classes, Danilo Petrucci began his premier-class career on the very slowest of the 'CRT' bikes in 2012.

Williams says “relatively late” technical directive changes surrounding the revised aerodynamic regulations played a part in the delays it endured with its 2019 Formula 1 car. 

Andrea Iannone is confident of making a positive race debut for Aprilia but concedes there will be a lot to learn in Qatar following intensive winter testing.

Valtteri Bottas says having a new race engineer at Mercedes will provide him with a “fresh” start at the team in the 2019 Formula 1 season. 

MotoGP title runner-up for the past two seasons, could it be a case of third time lucky for Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati in 2019? The winner of last year's Qatar season-opener may not have set headline grabbing lap times during testing, but that's never really been Dovizioso's style.

FIA president Jean Todt says Formula 1 must be “more positive” about its current cycle of engine regulations and can promote the benefits of its initiatives better. 

Honda motorsport chief Masahi Yamamoto says the Japanese manufacturer expects and relishes the pressure to produce a power unit able to fight for Formula 1 wins and world titles as part of its new Red Bull partnership.

Yamaha might just have finally turned a corner. After a winter of internal reorganisation and development, Maverick Viñales has been the star of the 2019 MotoGP preseason, while Valentino Rossi has never been too far away.

Sebastian Vettel has cast doubt on whether the 2019 Formula 1 technical rule tweaks will deliver its intended improvements to racing this season after trying to follow some of his rivals on track during pre-season testing.

Red Bull has “definitely" closed the gap to Formula 1 rivals Mercedes and Ferrari heading into the 2019 season, according to team boss Christian Horner. 

Team: Team Suzuki Ecstar Riders: Alex Rins, Joan Mir Test Rider: Sylvain Guintoli Bike: Suzuki GSX-RR Best placed rider, 2018: Alex Rins, 5th Best result, 2018: 2 nd , Alex Rins (3), Andrea Iannone (1)

Nico Hulkenberg says Renault concluded its pre-season testing programme with “no major concerns” surrounding its 2019 Formula 1 car. 

Tatiana Calderon feels her two Formula 1 tests with Sauber towards the end of 2018 have helped her adjustment to Formula 2 ahead of her debut in the championship this year.

Jorge Lorenzo starts a new chapter in his illustrious racing career, in Qatar this weekend, when he will race in Repsol Honda colours for the first time.

Among those hoping that Jake Dixon can make a strong impression in Moto2 this season is former British Superbike rival Bradley Ray. Both riders won BSB races last season, Dixon finishing as main title rival for fellow Kawasaki rider Leon Haslam, with Ray sixth overall for Suzuki.

Marc Marquez hopes his gruelling winter rehabilitation from shoulder surgery can pay off at the 2019 MotoGP season opener as he rates his fitness at “almost 100%” for the Qatar round.

- FIA president Jean Todt says F2 driver Mick Schumacher should be left in peace to pursue career as he bids to make it all the way to F1 ( RaceFans )

Pierre Gasly has urged Red Bull not to get “too excited” following a positive start to its relationship with new Formula 1 engine suppliers Honda during pre-season testing. 

The new Petronas Yamaha Sepang team heads to its first MotoGP event, in Qatar this weekend, with riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo buoyed by recent testing results at the same Losail circuit.

Aston Martin has become the new partner of the BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award for 2019, taking over from McLaren.