After a Mugello weekend to forget, with the same mechanical issue that this time appeared on Casey’s bike (the exact same problem we had already faced with Leo in Jerez) we arrived in Hungary with little patience left and even more upset. The only positive thing is that we finally understood what was not working and managed to fix it. However, I have to admit that constantly chasing solutions, instead of working on improving performances becomes exhausting over time.
Balaton Park had its last chance to prove its worth. “Too small, too young” are the most common explanations heard around the paddock. Just like when you don’t know how to end a relationship and come up with excuses such as “it’s not you, it’s me”, it seems that the relationship between Dorna and the Hungarian circuit is heading towards the same ending. Actually, ordinary people like us are not meant to know the real reasons, but what we can see is crystal clear: half-empty grandstands, few spectators, while other GPs continue to attract an impressive number of spectators. I struggle to believe that motorsport isn’t popular in Hungary, it’s easier to think that the event was poorly promoted.
The weekend became even more surreal after the shocking news involving the Leopard Racing Team, which was hit by a technical scandal that led to Adrian Fernandez being disqualified from the first six GPs of the 2026 season. Technical inspections revealed evidence of a tampering with the engine seals and the Spanish rider, who was third in the championship standings, dropped to the 20th place. We don’t want to judge anyone but beyond the sporting implications, a case like this will inevitably leave a bad impression.
On the track with Casey, we did our job. It was a complicated track, with parts where the new asphalt was slippery , almost like soap, making overtaking extremely risky. Many riders struggled because of it. Despite the difficulties, Casey kept fighting. He was fighting for the 12th place when, towards the end of the race, the crashes in the leading group, including the one involving Munoz, mixed things up. In the end he managed to score 7 points. This may not be a headline result, but in those conditions, you take what you can get.
As for Leo, even if the path is still a complicated one, I’m satisfied. Not because of the final position, but because of the attitude he showed: a more aggressive race, more involved in the fight and above all he is starting to listen to our advice. He also took a step forward with his lap times, at his own pace and I’m confident that this could be the beginning of a growth process for him. With the team by his side and a bit of luck, I hope the road ahead will start to become smoother for him.
-PaoloSic58-