Racing at the Edge: The Bastianini-Martin Clash and MotoGP’s Stewardship Dilemma

Uncomfortable inquiries emerge from officials' decision to overlook the Enea Bastianini-Jorge Martin incident

Has this established a fresh standard for the conduct guidelines?

Intense competitive driving? Pushing boundaries yet acceptable? Excessively forceful, deserving a sanction?

As expected, the final lap showdown between Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini, which determined the winner of the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, has been the main topic of discussion following the conclusion of the 14th race of the MotoGP season.

It's hardly a shock that there was no consensus on the way it was managed.

Bastianini seized an opportunity at Turn 4, propelling his factory Ducati to the inside. As Martin started his turn, the Italian pulled up beside him, leading to a minor collision. The encounter left Martin worse off, pushing him to the outer edges of the gravel trap at the corner, whereas Bastianini continued ahead to secure his second season victory with a margin of just over five seconds.

Martin was enraged when he crossed the finish line, making an offensive gesture towards Bastianini who was celebrating ahead. After calming down, Martin later expressed remorse for his action.

Bastianini's victory has propelled him into third place in the rankings, trailing Martin by 59 points as they approach the Indonesian Grand Prix this weekend.

Enea Bastianini secured the 100th premier class victory for Ducati 🏆🇮🇹, placing them fourth in the historical rankings 📊#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/0TLKz93SnJ

Pointing fingers

As they prepared to address the press, Martin and Bastianini presented contrasting perspectives on the event.

"Martin contended that executing such a maneuver was impractical. He expressed that continuing the discussion would be futile since it wouldn't alter the outcome. However, he firmly believed he was entitled to the win. He added that if an attempt was made, it should have been executed cleanly without any contact."

Bastianini responded, "Indeed, it was somewhat at the edge, but ultimately, it was the only option available to me. Without this opportunity, it would have been impossible, as on the rest of the track, [Martin] was performing exceptionally well, leaving me no other choice."

In any given situation, it's rare for two riders to see eye to eye. Since Bastianini faced no penalties, he's probably convinced he's in the clear. On the flip side, Martin, who bore the brunt, will naturally have a conflicting perspective.

In Qatar the previous year, when roles were reversed, Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning world champion, reflected on this when queried about his viewpoint. Martin, who executed a bold maneuver on Bagnaia during the sprint at Turn 6 causing them to collide, believed his actions were justifiable.

Interestingly, when asked for his perspective on the matter, Bagnaia remarked, “I find it quite intriguing that he was the one involved, as it creates a scenario that appeals to me.”

Bagnaia's remark implied that their championship fight had adopted a new set of norms, endorsing a more aggressive, 'rubbing-is-racing' approach to competition.

Interestingly, the incident in Qatar wasn't reviewed by the officials, nor was the final lap collision between Bastianini and Martin from last Sunday. Regarding this, Martin stated, "Definitely, now I believe we have a better understanding of what the race officials plan for ahead. Therefore, if I were to do the same thing again, I anticipate there would be no repercussions… I hope."

Is the decision made by the stewards correct?

This remains a major point of debate, with no clear consensus in sight.

One might consider breaking down the analysis of this decision into two primary considerations: whether it benefited the show and if it was executed properly.

Let's address the initial segment.

Bastianini's bold maneuver paid off, securing him the lead in a thrilling climax to a closely contested grand prix. Throughout the race, Martin struggled to extend his lead over Bastianini, with the gap seldom widening beyond 0.8 seconds.

Throughout the race, Bastianini closely observed Martin from behind, identifying that his best opportunity to overtake would be at Turn 4. He realized that Martin had a significant edge in the latter half of the circuit, making it impossible for Bastianini to make a move in the critical braking areas of Turn 14 and Turn 16.

He spotted his opportunity, seized it, and successfully executed his maneuver. The move was bold and resulted in Martin being pushed off the track. In MotoGP, the regulations tend to be more lenient during final lap confrontations, similar to how they are at the start of races, where the boundaries of what's permissible are somewhat flexible.

Bastianini retaining his victory was beneficial for the spectacle, it pleased the Italian audience in Misano, and it was advantageous for viewers at home, who didn't have to switch off their televisions only to discover later that the outcome they witnessed was irrelevant.

One could argue that the impact of a factory Ducati racer overtaking Martin following Bagnaia's exit from the race significantly affects the championship standings, narrowing the gap between Martin and Bagnaia from 29 to 24 points. This is a situation the stewards panel would prefer to steer clear of.

This method isn't completely unique. In the National Hockey League in North America, officials tend to relax their enforcement of penalties, particularly during sudden-death overtime in playoff games, to avoid having a significant impact on the outcomes. This approach is mostly reserved for decisions that are not particularly obvious.

However, this frequently results in ignoring offenses that merit sanction, ultimately diminishing faith in governance regardless.

Regarding the incident between Martin and Bastianini, the situation is ambiguous. Bastianini saw an opening to make a maneuver, even though it was fraught with danger, and as a result, there was a collision. This led to Martin being forced off the track, and Bastianini also veered off course, albeit less severely. The complexity in judging this incident comes from Bastianini ending up on the blue-painted area beyond the curb, as he turned his gaze left towards Martin.

Thus, it's quite challenging to definitively assess if Bastianini would have successfully navigated the turn or was on a path to veer off track from the outset.

According to Article 1.21.2 of the FIM's regulations, competitors are required to conduct themselves in a way that avoids endangering others involved in the event, including fellow racers and team members, and doesn't seek to unjustly benefit their position on the circuit or in the pit area. Violations of this guideline may result in penalties from the FIM MotoGP Stewards.

The phrasing of this regulation is too vague to clearly define the engagement protocols in MotoGP. Regarding "gaining an unfair advantage," Bastianini's maneuver to pass became simpler when Martin was forced off the track due to their collision. However, wouldn't any form of riding that leads to contact be deemed as "creating a hazard"? Or is it considered hazardous only if the action leads to an accident?

Such topics are addressed in meetings with the riders by the safety commission, yet there's a noticeable absence of openness regarding the process by which the stewards arrive at their verdicts when it comes to public disclosure.

Following the grand prix at Misano on Sunday, the race stewards released their customary document at day's end, detailing all the incidents they reviewed. However, the overtaking maneuver between Martin and Bastianini was notably absent from the report. This omission presented an ideal chance for the stewards to provide an explanation on their decision not to pursue an investigation into the incident – especially considering the language of their regulations, which suggests there ought to have been one.

This isn't a novel occurrence, yet the fact that this high-profile event echoed throughout the racing community makes it perplexing why the officials chose not to clarify their judgment with transparency. It also brings up, yet again, concerns regarding the adequacy of the existing stewardship system in MotoGP.

Does MotoGP bear responsibility for this controversy?

Opinions among the other racers were divided. Racers such as Aleix Espargaro, Luca Marini, and Marc Marquez believed that the maneuver went too far and that the absence of a penalty was a mistake. Marquez argued that since Bastianini also left the track, his action was excessive and he ought to have been penalized by being moved back a position.

Espargaro notably criticized the officiating during the French Grand Prix, having been subjected to two aggressive maneuvers, one of which was by Bastianini, that pushed him off the track. Surprisingly, neither incident was subject to an investigation.

Conversely, Jack Miller sided with the supporters of Bastianini. Known for his aggressive racing style and as a star in the MotoGP circuit, Miller believed that during the final lap, normal rules didn't apply. He experienced a setback when Johann Zarco knocked him off course in the final lap at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, causing him to finish outside of the points-scoring positions.

Similarly, this event also went without scrutiny, despite likely warranting investigation.

Regarding uniformity, the results of Bastianini and Martin have been observed in previous races this season. The second incident involving Espargaro at the French Grand Prix occurred on the final lap, leading to a loss of places due to being pushed off the track. Following this, the Aprilia competitor argued that race officials would only intervene if an incident leads to an actual collision.

Nonetheless, according to the stewards' memo, Johann Zarco was anticipated to concede a position to Acosta for pushing him to the edge during a pass at Turn 5 in the first lap of the Spanish Grand Prix. Since Zarco corrected his action on his own, no sanction was imposed. It's important to mention that Acosta wasn't driven off the track. The officials, however, did not clarify why this incident was seen as a breach of regulations, unlike a similar situation at Misano.

The current panel of stewards, led by two-time 500cc world champion Freddie Spencer, has been plagued by a lack of consistency, much to everyone's annoyance. This frustration reached a boiling point for Zarco, who lost his temper in the stewards' room following a crash with Aleix Espargaro at Jerez, an incident that was ultimately classified as a racing event.

Recently, there have been some peculiar decisions made, such as Takaaki Nakagami not facing any consequences for causing a multiple-rider crash at the first turn of the 2022 Catalan GP, or Bagnaia having to give up a position to Miller at Jerez the previous year following a hard yet legitimate maneuver that made no contact and did not put the Australian rider at a disadvantage.

Thus, we might have to consider the possibility (revisiting my previous mention of the NHL): are the caretakers intentionally adopting a more lenient approach due to concerns about potential criticism?

A significant aspect of the Bastianini/Martin situation must be taken into account, a point that numerous riders have highlighted.

Competing in MotoGP has become significantly more challenging due to the existing front tire, immense aerodynamic pressure, and the implementation of a ride height adjustment mechanism. During the San Marino GP, Bagnaia mentioned his inability to overtake Martin in the sprint, attributing the difficulty to the disruptive airflow and thermal emission from Martin's motorcycle. Furthermore, the Emilia Romagna GP weekend highlighted the scarcity of overtaking opportunities.

The increase in bold passing maneuvers observed currently stems from the riders facing limited chances to successfully overtake.

Marc Marquez expressed his approval of Bastianini's maneuver, stating, "I'm in favor of the overtaking. It's the only method to pass with these motorcycles."

Certainly, the situation involving Bastianini and Martin can be seen as something to adapt to. However, it could be argued that this demands stricter enforcement and oversight by the officials.

Is the decision from Misano establishing a new norm?

Martin is convinced that the officials have demonstrated the current standards for acceptable conduct. However, the truth is that this standard was established many years prior.

Throughout its history, MotoGP hasn't really resembled a free-for-all wreck fest. However, a glance at its annals reveals numerous instances of aggressive, boundary-pushing maneuvers on the final lap that went without sanction. These instances are, indeed, often hailed with admiration.

At Misano, last Sunday, Pedro Acosta conveyed to the press that "all the exceptional riders have executed overtakes of this nature," referring to the move made by Bastianini that won him the race.

One of the most iconic instances of this occurred during the final turn of the 2005 Spanish Grand Prix, where Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau battled for the win. It's undeniable that Rossi's maneuver probably deserved a penalty. However, no such penalty was given, and the incident remains one of the most unforgettable highlights in MotoGP history (and deservedly so).

A couple of years back, Gibernau shared with TNT Sport that it established a precedent for the nature of racing ever since.

"Frankly, no. I don't believe that's the case," he responded when inquired if modern stewards would have investigated the Jerez 2005 incident. He added, "I'm not sure how often we've discussed that turn, but as time progresses, I realize more how things evolve after that event."

“Numerous spectators witnessed that maneuver, and from then onwards, it paved the way for similar occurrences to happen frequently. Upon the race's conclusion, each of us acted in what we believed was in the best interest of the championship, and my view on that could vary. However, since that event, there's been a shift in how racing, especially in MotoGP, is perceived, a change I personally don't concur with.”

Gibernau, similar to Martin's experience at Misano the previous weekend, found himself at a disadvantage. Consequently, his viewpoint, akin to Martin's, is influenced by this experience. Such is the mindset of racers: all is well until they are the ones affected.

However, the overall reaction to Bastianini's maneuver indicates that the acceptance of it as a permissible boundary has firmly entrenched itself in our perceptions of what racing ought to be.

The decision by the stewards not to probe into Bastianini's case is less significant when compared to their lack of transparency regarding their decision-making process. This sets a concerning precedent, implying that they may have to adhere to this stance in future incidents, irrespective of the outcomes.

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