Stefano Manzi says he “ready to forgive” Moto2 rival Romano Fenati for grabbing his brake lever in an act of retaliation during the San Marino Grand Prix.
Forward Racing's Manzi clattered into Fenati at the Carro hairpin as the pair fought for points in the latter stages of the race, with both forced off track.
Fenati drew alongside Manzi moments later on the run through Turn 7 when he grabbed Manzi's brake lever, an offense he was black-flagged for, while Manzi crashed two corners later.
The FIM initially handed Fenati a two-race ban for the incident, before the Marinelli Snipers Team announced it had terminated its contract with Fenati effective immediately.
On the Monday after, Forward and MV Agusta confirmed it had also canceled its contract with Fenati for 2019, while the Italian released an apology for the “disgraceful” incident.
Speaking to Mediaset last week, Manzi says he is no “ready to forgive” Fenati, and feels his intent was not “malicious”.
“Yes, I am ready to forgive him,” Manzi said on Italian TV. “We let time run its course, we let things calm down and then one day yes.
“I did not sue him and I did not even move to do it. I want to turn the page and move on. It was a bad gesture, but it wasn't malicious.”
Manzi was awarded a six-place grid drop for this weekend's Aragon Grand Prix for causing the collision which ultimately led to Fenati's outburst.
Fenati has since had his racing license suspended by the Italian national federation, and will appear before the FIM in Switzerland to explain the incident.
The Italian has made several comments to the press since the Misano weekend, stating he would step away from racing for go, before admitting to Gazzetta dello Sport he could “say one thing today, and maybe tomorrow I'll see things in a different way”.
Fenati's former Moto3 rival and Suzuki MotoGP-bound Joan Mir released a statement on his Instagram offering his admiration for the Italian, and urging him to correct the “impulses that betray” him.
“Last year you were a great rival and you pushed me to the limit during the whole season, we had a ton of battles, but you always acted like a great rider and sportsman on track,” the reigning Moto3 champion said.
“We were on the podium together many times and I can see that you are noble not only when winning but also in defeat. I think you are a great person.
“Don't give up and fight for your future as a rider. Everybody deserves a second chance and even a third one.
“Work to correct those impulses that betray you sometimes and come back to the track as the great rider that you are. We have a thousand battles left to fight.”
The Marinelli Snipers Moto2 team confirmed early this week current wildcard regular Xavi Cardelus will replace Fenati for the remainder of the 2018 campaign.
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