MotoGP: Grand Prix paddock reacts to disagreement Bastianini vs. Martin
The GP ofEmilia-Romagnaended with some disagreement about the overtaking maneuver ofEnea BastianinionJorge Martin. It was absolutely no surprise thatEnea Bastianini'srace-winning move caused a lot of controversy after the race.
While some prefer the hard race andBastianini'seffort to go for a gap praised, others were not entirely happy with the lack of action from the stewards.
Experts defendedBastianini and concluded that the winning overtaking maneuver by the Italian should not be penalized. Simon Crafar, the current pit lane reporter who will lead the panel of MotoGP race direction stewards from next season, said he found the action good:
“I personally thought it was great! It was really hard racing! If the stewards take that away and don't make it legal to overtake in the slowest, safest part, where there is a run-off, then we are harming the racing.”
Crafarsaid.
“I don't talk like a future steward. But as a former racer, you want to make a move on the slowest part of the track, make him deviate from his line, and of course not crash.”
ColleagueMichael Laverty, former MotoGP rider, also commented and said that from Bastianini's point of view it was beautiful, but from the receiving side terrible.
“It’s one of those races where you can see it happening. If you lead the entire race and protect every line, eventually someone will come past on the inside.
"It only givesJorge Martinno chance to fight back. He certainly deserved to be able to strike back later in the round. That way, of course, we can understand his feeling. Missing out on five points when he feels he deserved them is always hard to accept. Especially at that moment.
“Bastianini, with a chance to win your home GP, you put everything on the line. There should be no penalty. It was a racing incident. It was a bit dirty, nasty, and I love it!”
Despite the fact thatMartinangry gestures made on his motorcycle, he was later praised for his sportsmanship when he engaged in a respectful conversation withBastianiniin the parc ferme.Gresini's Marc Marquez , which behind BastianiniandMartin on the stage ended, also briefly gave his opinion on the collision:
"I saw the replay andEneafailed to keep the engine within the limits of the track. So he should have given up the position.”
Aprilia racer Aleix Espargaro was also not entirely happy with the outcome. The fellow Spaniard, who is a good friend of Martin, could not believethat the team of stewards had decided not to investigate the collision.
"I don't understand. I am very disappointed. I really have no words for it, because one rider hit the other and both riders went off the track and they didn't even investigate it.
So it makes no sense,"he said.
“Apart from the action, I am a bit worried because the message they are sending to all riders is: that you can do whatever you want.”
Espargaro hangs his suit up at the end of the season and Martin takes its place at Aprilia, after spending his MotoGP career since his debut in 2021 with Pramac.
Featured image - Dorna Sports
Author
- Liam van de Seijp
