Espargaro Voices Concern Over Morbidelli's Focus Following Valencia Grid Incident

Aleix Espargaro has called for Franco Morbidelli to heighten his concentration on the track, following a starting grid collision at the Valencia Grand Prix that resulted in a fractured hand for the VR46 MotoGP rider. The incident occurred just moments before the commencement of the final race of the 2025 season at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. Morbidelli, approaching the grid, made contact with the rear of Espargaro’s Honda machine, which had come to a stop after performing a stoppie.

The contact caused Morbidelli to fall, leaving his Ducati bike prone on the ground as Espargaro looked on. Morbidelli was able to rejoin the race, starting from the pit lane after initially qualifying in seventh position, seven places ahead of Espargaro. However, his race was short-lived, as he retired to the VR46 garage after only five laps.

Following his retirement, Morbidelli underwent a medical examination, which revealed a fracture in his left hand. As a result, he was declared unfit for the post-season Valencia test scheduled for Tuesday, denying him the opportunity to test the GP25 bike until the Sepang test in February at the earliest.

Espargaro expressed sympathy for Morbidelli, acknowledging the consequences of the accident, but emphasized the need for improved focus, suggesting that Morbidelli is frequently "involved in one thing or the other" during race weekends.

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"He didn’t see me. I will not blame him," Espargaro said. "I feel bad also because he had an injury. But he had to be more careful because every weekend one thing or the other happened."

Espargaro added, "I saw him on the floor. I didn’t like it at all. I’ve always said it can happen at the beginning of the grid when everybody is braking, but not when you are in your place [in the middle of the grid]. I was not P21 that he came with speed; I was P14, so mid-grid. You have to be careful. You have to go slow in that place. You have to be super focused. Super focused because we have to do many things: engage things, a lot of buttons. We have to be concentrated and look straight."

As of the time of reporting, race stewards have not issued a verdict on the incident, pending Morbidelli’s medical assessments. When asked if Morbidelli deserved a penalty, Espargaro responded, "I don’t know. But to me, when your maneuver is dangerous, it has to be a penalty. He had to be more focused. I feel sorry for him because he had the injury, but he can hurt me a lot. I don’t care about the penalty, but he needs to be more concentrated because it’s not the first time. Every weekend we have something about focus and concentration. He has a big injury in his hand. Hopefully, he can recover quickly."

Morbidelli did not attend the post-race media debrief, and VR46 Racing Team issued a brief statement. "After a crash during the Valencia GP, Franco Morbidelli has been diagnosed with a fracture of the fifth metacarpal of his left hand," the statement read. "Franky will miss Tuesday’s test and will not take part today in media activities."

Espargaro, who was testing a 2026 Honda prototype, was also forced to retire after two laps due to damage sustained to his bike in the collision. "It’s a shame because the bike didn’t work at all," he said. "I also had the exhaust touching my foot. I was a bit angry at the beginning because I couldn’t do it [race with a damaged bike]."

The relationship between Espargaro and Morbidelli has been strained, with multiple incidents between the two riders in recent years. In the preceding Portuguese GP, Pol Espargaro, Aleix’s brother, criticized Morbidelli for "way too aggressive" riding.

Rider Backgrounds and Team Performance

Aleix Espargaro: The Spanish rider, competing for the Repsol Honda Team, has had a mixed season. Espargaro’s career highlights include multiple podium finishes and a victory in the 2022 Argentina Grand Prix. He is known for his aggressive riding style and experience in MotoGP.
Franco Morbidelli: The Italian rider, racing for the VR46 Racing Team, has struggled to find consistency. Morbidelli’s career peaked with a second-place finish in the 2020 MotoGP World Championship. His transition to VR46 has been marked by challenges in adapting to the Ducati machinery.

Team VR46: VR46 Racing Team, owned by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, has been a significant presence in the premier class since its debut. The team’s performance has been closely watched, particularly concerning its ability to develop young talent and provide competitive machinery.

Honda’s Struggles: Repsol Honda has faced ongoing challenges in recent seasons, struggling to match the performance of European manufacturers like Ducati and Aprilia. The team’s efforts to develop a competitive bike for the 2026 season are critical for their future success.

The incident involving Espargaro and Morbidelli underscores the high stakes and intense competition in MotoGP racing. The starting grid, often a scene of meticulous preparation, can quickly turn into a zone of chaos, with potentially severe consequences.

The upcoming post-season test in Valencia is crucial for teams to evaluate new components and strategies for the following season. Morbidelli’s inability to participate due to his injury will undoubtedly set back his preparations for the 2026 season.

The incident raises questions about rider conduct on the starting grid and the potential for penalties in such situations. The decision by the race stewards will be closely scrutinized by teams and riders alike, as it could set a precedent for future incidents.

Valencia GP Race Results (Top 5):

Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia)
Raul Fernandez (Aprilia)
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati)
Alex Marquez (Ducati)
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati)

Upcoming MotoGP Events:

Post-Season Valencia Test: Tuesday
Sepang Test (February 2026): First official pre-season test

The MotoGP community awaits further updates on Morbidelli’s condition and the outcome of the race stewards’ investigation. The incident at Valencia serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in motorcycle racing and the importance of maintaining focus and concentration at all times.