It is a given, Marc Marquez will not be in the Argentine Grand Prix this weekend, due to an injured hand operated on following the collision he caused with Jorge Martin and especially Miguel Oliveira. It is also recorded that the official Honda driver recognizes his total responsibility in this accident for which he was sanctioned with two long lap penalties to be carried out... At the Argentine Grand Prix. This is in fact what is written in the notification, which would allow the Honda official to resume competition in Austin with the counters set to zero. Which is not without arousing strong emotion in the paddock.
MotoGP wants to get in tune with Formula 1 but it is clear that there is too much lightness and approximation in its stewardship and supervision to claim the same level. The latest proof to date, after many others noted in the organization of the Portuguese Grand Prix, is this press release from the college of commissioners of the END formalizing the sanction of Marc Marquez after his blunder during the Sunday race. There is certainly mention of a punishment of two long laps, but it is above all mentioned that it must be carried out not at the next Grand Prix at which Marc Marquez participate in. But explicitly at the Argentine Grand Prix. Where he has just withdrawn due to injury…
This notification was validated at 17:21 p.m. by the FIM World Motorcycling Association, on behalf of the FIM Stewards College MotoGP of Portimao, composed ofAndres Somolinos, Freddie Spencer et Tamara Matko. From there, what will be the status of Marc Marquez in Austin, his favorite track where he has real chances of victory, on Saturday and Sunday? This is the question everyone is asking in a paddock that has been buzzing since Sunday.
Marc Marquez: “if the rules stipulated a more severe penalty, I would accept its ”
On his accident, Marc Marquez thus completed his version: “ as you saw on Saturday, it's the only way to get good times. If I don't brake this late, I'll finish 10th, 11th or 12th, that's the only way ».
And to those, in particular Aleix Espargaró, who calls for a heavier sanction, he makes this reminder of the rules: “ this penalty was planned during Thursday's briefing. If you overtake irresponsibly and endanger or cause another opponent to fall, you will be penalized with a double long lap the first time. The second time, you are penalized with a start in the pit lane. The third time you have to do a ride through in the pit lane. These are the rules ". And he ends: “ If the rules stipulated a harsher sentence, I would accept that too. Because it was my fault ».
This is the mood of the moment. There would undoubtedly be more serenity if all the actors showed themselves a little more to the height of their status and their function. Moreover, Marc Marquez will not be replaced in Argentina by a Stefan bradl who remains in Europe to work on the chassis that Kalex will supply Honda.
