But what is happening to the premier category of motorcycle sport? Since the launch of the new season in Portimão and its share of surprises, many behaviors and certainties have wavered.
With the implementation of the new racing format including a minimalist version called Sprint on Saturday, the drivers are now “on task” during the 3 days of each round. Risk-taking being at a maximum, four of them have already paid the price by injuring themselves more or less seriously.
So much so that, an unprecedented event in the history of this sport, one of the teams entered for 2023 issued a strong and straightforward statement to the authorities of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), now calling for the application of severe sanctions for any aggressive behavior on the track.
Unsurprisingly, it is the RNF APRILIA team which saw its flagship driver Miguel Oliveira mowed down by Marc Márquez in the middle of a debacle with his HONDA. Looking at the shocking images of the incident, it's hard not to agree with them!
Marc Márquez has not absolved itself of its responsibilities by apologizing and accepting any sanction imposed by the FIM authorities. The said sanction quickly fell, penalizing the offender with a double Long Lap during the next Argentinian round.
Yes, but it turns out that the said Marc Márquez will ultimately be package for injury contracted during the accident. The FIM, learning of this defection, then saw fit to produce a “cancel and replace” by postponing the application of this penalty until the return of the person concerned during another upcoming event..
It was enough for HONDA to officially appeal this decision., arguing that the FIM could not modify a sanction taken without going against the regulations.
What is regrettable in this story is that the FIM caught its own feet in the carpet by confusing speed with haste: It should have prepared for the possible absence of Marc Márquez during the second round of the calendar.
Even more doubtful is HONDA's position: After having hypocritically supported the decision of the authorities, the manufacturer is now flouting all respect towards the organizer and the drivers on the false pretext that the sanctions have been stated and cannot be revised.
How can we not see a denial of humanity and complete immorality in this act of protest for the sole benefit of the sporting results to be obtained? How can HONDA dare to forget what happened?
The worst part of the story is that the FIM may be forced to rule in favor of the manufacturer since it seems at first glance that she herself has contravened her own rules.
As is, Marc Márquez will he have the decency to punish himself by doing this famous double long lap on his own initiative? Or will it ride like it always has?
Could going against his employer put him in trouble? There is little chance of this scenario happening: Marc Márquez has never seemed really concerned about what people will say about it. What's more, at the moment, could HONDA do without the services of the only driver still able to make his machine perform?
The RC213V being affected by numerous problems (reluctant chassis, uneven engine performance, etc.) only the extra-terrestrial Marc Márquez is able to compensate for this delay with his talent... to the extreme!
The HRC clearly does not emerge from this action any stronger and appears more desperate than ever, looking for any solution – even if they are bad – to return to the forefront.
Regardless, this umpteenth event only reinforces the strange climate of a season that will immediately go down in history.
Matthieu BERTRAND
