Toprak Razgatlioglu blasted “strange” riding from Andrea Iannone and Andrea Locatelli after missing out on an Estoril WorldSBK hat trick.
Razgatlioglu missed out on a hat trick of race victories from the iconic Portuguese circuit after losing to title rival Nicolo Bulega in Race 2.
The Turkish rider dropped down to fifth on the start, and was hampered by battling with Iannone, Locatelli before getting back to second place.
The championship leader fumed about a lack of respect from both riders, and suggested Ducati “applauded” the performance from GoEleven’s Iannone.
“Some riders don’t respect the championship,” Razgatlioglu fumed to the media, including Motorsport Week, after Race 2.
“I congratulate Iannone, for being penalised and for doing a good job. I think everyone in Ducati applauded and congratulated him.”
“But it wasn’t just him. There were also other riders like Locatelli, who was riding in the middle of Turn 9.
“That is also a very strange thing, because that wasn’t his line. Usually you stay more to the right, he was in the middle, however and I had to move to the inside to past him.”
When asked by Motorsport Week if he believes Iannone would have acted in the same way if Bulega was in the same place, Razgatlioglu gave a clear answer.
“In my opinion, no, because they are part of the same family,” he said.
“[Alvaro] Bautista didn’t behave like this, he rode as usual.
“It was Iannone who behaved strangely after taking the penalty. That’s why I’m angry.
“I think he knew about the penalty. Ducati also uses the dashboard, no?”
Andrea Iannone responds to Toprak Razgatlioglu’s ‘crazy’ Estoril WorldSBK theory
Iannone hit back at Razgatlioglu’s claims via an Instagram story, saying it was “crazy to think” he intentionally interfered with the Turkish rider’s race.
“Dear Toprak, you’re a very talented, smart, and strong rider,” Iannone wrote on Sunday 12th October.
“I have great respect for you and your team. I just want to make one thing clear: I always go out on track to win and give my best just like you do.
“It’s crazy to think I’d ever make a jump start on purpose to penalise you. I’d never do that. I’d never start a race to help someone or to ruin my own.
“We both come to the races with the same goal. Good luck, see you in Jerez.”
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