Former MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has called out MotoGP officials over the decision to give Johann Zarco a long-lap penalty during tonight’s race at Brno.
“That’s discrasful [sic] MotoGP,” Stoner said in a tweet.
“Zarco did nothing wrong, if you run wide you cannot expect to cut back to the curb without anyone being there. Terrible call from the officials.”
That’s discrasful @MotoGP !@Zarco did nothing wrong, if you run wide you cannot expect to cut back to the curb without anyone being there. Terrible call from the officials.
— Casey Stoner (@Official_CS27) August 9, 2020
The incident in question involved KTM rider Pol Espargaro, who crashed out following contact with Zarco, denying him a podium chance. Racing officials soon awarded Zarco a long-lap penalty for ‘Irresponsible Riding’.
Zarco managed the long-lap penalty rather masterfully, and went on to secure a third place finish behind Franco Morbidelli and race-winner Brad Binder.
Championship leader Fabio Quartararo struggled to maintain grip throughout the race, finishing seventh overall.
Does Stoner have a point? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
I fully agree with Stoner. Pol knew that Johann was right there. Pol ran wide as he had done for a few corners in the last couple of laps. Johann held his line and Pol came in on him. If you are going to race hard and try to make a place on the tract you can’t see, you will be often surprised.
Stoner is bang on, Zarco held his line and did nothing wrong. Shame on the officials.
No brainer. What was Zarco supposed to do…..stop?
Zarco held his line and pace, Pol rode offline then after regaing control, he returned to the race line and impacted into Zarco. Zarco could not have held back ‘just in case’ Pol did not crash, Zarco rode correctly. Casey is 100% correct and I add that the Stewards have demonstrated a bias in favor of Pol that should not be part of the evaluation process.
Pol would have known there was chance Zarco would be that close.
It is good that the officials make a quick decision during the race but a shame when they get it wrong like this. Zarco was hit by Pol whilst on the racing line. When coming from outside to in there is a duty of care to at least peripherally assess whether the space is usable.
Given the position of the riders on the bike mid-corner (as well as their attention ahead through the corner) it would be impossible for Zarco to have seen Pol coming in from the outside, let alone make a judgement about relative positions and whether his front wheel was in front of Pol or not. Zarco saw a gap, had a better line and speed, and the rest is “a racing incident”. As much as I admire Pol and the KTM I have to agree with Casey, he didn’t have a case.
When I saw the long lap penalty come up, I thought they have gone mad, Zarco had no idea Pol would pull back, he could have crashed by running wide. When you saw the incident head on, it was clear Zarco did nothing wrong. I understand Pol would have been disappointed but perhaps next time he will stay wide & bring the bike back onto the racing line for the next corner.