Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola admits he “would not disagree” if Jorge Martin had been awarded a harsher penalty for his crash at Balaton Park.
Three Aprilia riders suffered a DNF at the first corner of Sunday’s race at the MotoGP Hungarian Grand Prix after 2024 world champion Martin got out of shape under braking.
Martin made contact with team-mate and championship leader Marco Bezzecchi, with the pair exiting the race in what resulted in a five-rider pile up.
Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez was also caught up in the incident, as was Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was the only rider involved in the incident who carried on in the race, and finished 12th at the chequered flag.
Neither Aprilia rider spoke to the media after the race, but Rivola gave his thoughts on the incident and admitted it was “difficult to digest.”
“First of all, apologies to all the riders involved in the crash,” Rivola told MotoGP.com.
“Second, I think today at the end, it’s a lucky day because watching the crash, the come out could be much worse for everybody, so in the end it’s a good day from that point of view.
“I spoke to Jorge very very quickly. He was very apologetic but still it’s difficult to digest.
“A world champion cannot do a mistake like that, but it’s done and another lesson.”
Massimo Rivola admits Aprilia debate ‘severity’ of Jorge Martin penalty
It’s not the first time Martin and Bezzecchi have collided, but it could be the most costly.
Martin crashed similarly with Bezzecchi in the sprint race in Japan last year and was awarded a double long lap penalty for his return to action in Valencia – the same penalty he received after Sunday’s incident.
However, Rivola believes the two situations are different given the nature and warnings about the first corner at Balaton Park.
He also admitted Aprilia would not have complained had the sanction on Martin been even harsher.
“I think it’s different from the mistake he did in Japan,” Rivola said.
“In Japan he was just too optimistic but here he was just not behaving properly with the front braking in the part of the track.
“You spoke about the penalty, maybe sincerely we are speaking so much about the severity.
“I would not disagree if the penalty would be even stronger and harsher than that.
“Because the first corner is dangerous and these guys are risking already everywhere, and if we put extra risk, it’s not necessary.”
Discussion about this post