The blow for Marc Márquez and Wilairot in Australia

Repsol rider Marc Márquez suffered a heavy crash after hitting Wilairot at the end of the first free practice session, while in the second session he set the seventeenth-best time in the Moto2 category.

The Australian Grand Prix did not start well for Márquez, who became the unfortunate protagonist of a spectacular accident with Thai rider Ratthapark Wilairot, with whom he collided at the end of the first free practice session. Despite the heavy impact between the two riders, Márquez was able to return to the track in the afternoon for the second free practice session, which he finished in seventeenth place. But once practice ended, Race Direction decided to penalise the Repsol rider for the incident with a one-minute penalty added to his time in tomorrow’s official practice sessions, which will force him to start last on the grid on Sunday.

The morning had already gone wrong from the first minutes of the first free practice sessions, when Márquez crashed at the second corner after barely completing four laps. The Repsol rider went wide and, when he touched the grass, lost grip on his Moto2. After repairing the damage in his garage, the Repsol rider returned to the track at the end of the session with barely enough time to complete one last lap to check that everything was working properly. However, once the time had run out and as he was heading back to the pits, he suffered a spectacular accident when he hit Wilairot at the fast third corner; Wilairot was riding more slowly at that point and was blocked by another rider. Marc did not see him and, when he found himself behind him, could not avoid hitting the Thai rider.

The crash resulted in a stitch in the eyebrow for the Repsol rider, as well as scratches and bruises. Although the X-rays showed no major injuries, Wilairot was taken to a Melbourne hospital for further examination, where it was confirmed that there were no fractures but that he may have damaged the ligaments in his left knee, as well as numerous contusions across his body.

Because of this incident, Race Direction added a one-minute penalty to Marc’s timed time in tomorrow’s timed practice session. Márquez was able to take part normally in the second free practice session, although without the latest modifications to his Suter and, although he initially rode among the fastest, he eventually finished eight tenths behind the best time set by Alex De Angelis, in seventeenth position.

This penalty has been much discussed, and in my opinion (MINE) it was a sanctionable action, since I was going too fast when the chequered flag had already been waved for everyone, so I should have been going at lower speeds. I therefore agree with the “irresponsible riding” that Race Direction cited. What I find somewhat excessive is the penalty itself; I don’t think the situation and the result warrant such an aggravating factor… especially when compared with other actions such as Sofuoglu-Simón (for example).

However, the most important thing is that both are fine, because the images are chilling.

Statements from Marc Márquez:

It has been a very difficult day, one to forget, and that is what we will try to do: turn the page. Everything has been quite strange, with things that normally don’t happen, such as in the morning, when I made a small mistake. I went wide and, when I entered the grass, I crashed.

When I was about to finish the practice, I went out for a lap to check that everything was fine after the crash. When the time ran out and we had crossed the finish line, I was completing the lap to head to the pits when, at the third corner, which is already quite fast, I saw a rider. He was no longer pushing hard, but this circuit is fast in itself and in that corner, which is normally taken in fifth, he was perhaps in fourth gear.

When he moved aside, I saw that Wilairot was behind him and I could not brake. I hope he is alright, because it was a very nasty crash. As far as I can tell I am unhurt, and I send him my best wishes.

In the afternoon we tried to regain confidence and feeling, because we had to go back to the previous bike, with the old chassis. I found it a little difficult to adapt again, but for tomorrow we will keep working, and it is clear that we will not give up.

I can say little about the penalty they have imposed on me; it is a decision by Race Direction and we have to respect it, even though we do not agree with it.

Source | Repsol Media Service