Francesco Bagnaia Faces Grid Penalty After Blocking Alex Marquez at Mugello, Appeal Rejected

Grid Sanction Imposed on Francesco Bagnaia for Impeding Alex Marquez at Mugello, Appeal Dismissed

FIM Officials have decreed a grid sanction for reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia following an incident where he obstructed Alex Marquez during Friday's practice session at Mugello.

Francesco Bagnaia received a grid penalty for blocking Alex Marquez in Friday's practice session at his native Italian MotoGP.

Marquez displayed visible frustration towards the current two-time world champion for obstructing him towards the end, prompting the FIM Stewards to promptly launch an investigation into the matter.

Bagnaia effortlessly topped the session standings, while Marquez secured the eighth spot, ensuring both advanced straight to Qualifying 2 on Saturday.

On Friday night, the MotoGP Officials declared their decision: Bagnaia was handed a 3-place grid penalty for the upcoming Sunday's race due to 'slowing down on the racing line and causing interference to rider #73 at Turn 12'.

According to the 'penalty protocol' given to teams, the 3-place sanction indicates that the infraction took place in the final 20 minutes of practice (a crucial period for riders aiming to advance into Q2) and also considers that this was Bagnaia's initial violation.

The FIM Appeal Stewards dismissed the challenge to the penalty, affirming the original verdict made by the MotoGP Stewards panel.

Prior to the verdict, Alex Marquez expressed, "His pace was sluggish around the center of the track while I was on course to better my lap time. From my perspective, it's quite obvious. At no point did he check to see who was approaching."

"I was making a fast circuit, and he was entirely blocking the way [on the track]. Whether there will be a penalty for this, remains to be seen.

"Following that event, he entered the pit lane. It's important to be cautious of the riders speeding up from behind when you're making that move."

Bagnaia: It would be 'absurd' to receive a penalty

Shortly following the event, Bagnaia, who was aiming for his third consecutive win at Mugello, downplayed the situation and described #73 as "a great performer" for his reaction during the race.

"Bagnaia brushed it off, stating, "It was nothing… I was just moving off the [racing] track." He acknowledged, "He definitely knows how to entertain. Such [gestures] are unnecessary, though. Yet, they do add to the spectacle.

"Should there be a fine for that… it would be absurd. I'm on standby, yet I don't anticipate being penalized."

Marc, Alex's senior sibling and fellow member of the Gresini Ducati squad, is in the running to team up with Bagnaia at the official Ducati team for the 2025 season. However, Jorge Martin, who currently leads the championship, is becoming the favored candidate for the spot.

At the moment, Bagnaia trails Martin by 39 points, with Martin having secured the seventh quickest time on Friday.

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