Espargaro Slams Stewards Over Controversial Decision in Emilia Romagna MotoGP: ‘A Very Dangerous Announcement

Aleix Espargaro expressed confusion over the decisions made by the Steward panel, stating, “I don't get what the Steward panel is up to.” He added, “This announcement is extremely hazardous. I’m still in disbelief, honestly!”

Aleix Espargaro expressed disbelief that the FIM Stewards chose not to look into the final lap incident between Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini, which ultimately determined the winner of the Emilia Romagna MotoGP race.

Despite staying on their bikes, the collision caused Martin, who was leading the race and the championship, to veer off the track, while Bastianini also momentarily entered the run-off area.

The Ducati factory racer came back to secure victory by a margin of five seconds over Martin, who openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the maneuver.

Unexpectedly, the Stewards chose not to look into the incident, meaning there was no formal clarification on whether a penalty should be given or not.

"I'm confused and quite let down. I really can't grasp what the Steward panel is up to," Espargaro expressed.

"I’m at a loss for words. One rider collided with another, causing them both to veer off the track, and yet it wasn’t even investigated. It just doesn’t make any sense."

Espargaro expressed concern, noting that aside from the action, he is somewhat uneasy because the message being conveyed to all the riders seems to be that they can act without any restrictions.

"You are allowed to make contact with another rider and veer off the track, which makes this a very hazardous statement."

“I’m finding it hard to accept, honestly!”

Espargaro, a close companion of Martin who will be passing his Aprilia to the present Pramac racer for the 2025 season, emphasized that the challenge of overtaking with a contemporary MotoGP motorcycle wasn't the problem.

"It doesn't matter. Overtaking bikes is always challenging. However, even in the past, regardless of the bike, riders could make contact and be forced off the track."

"You are capable of doing it now, just as you were 20 years ago."

"Indeed, overtaking can be challenging. However, if contact occurs between riders causing both to veer off the track, the problem isn't with the motorcycles."

At the conclusion of this season, Simon Crafar is set to take over from Freddie Spencer as the head of the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel.

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