Espargaro Calls for Enhanced Focus from Morbidelli Following Valencia GP Grid Collision

Aleix Espargaro has publicly urged Franco Morbidelli to exercise greater concentration after a bizarre incident on the starting grid of the Valencia Grand Prix resulted in Morbidelli sustaining a fractured hand. The incident, which occurred moments before the final race of the 2025 MotoGP season was due to commence at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, saw Morbidelli collide with the rear of Espargaro’s Honda machine. Espargaro had just executed a stoppie and was coming to a halt in his grid position when the collision occurred.

The impact of the collision caused Morbidelli to fall from his Ducati bike. Espargaro, visibly surprised, turned to see Morbidelli’s bike lying on the ground. Despite the incident, Morbidelli was able to remount his bike and start the race from the pit lane. He had originally qualified in seventh position, seven places ahead of Espargaro, indicating a promising start to the race weekend. However, Morbidelli’s race was short-lived, as he retired after just five laps, returning to the VR46 garage with evident discomfort.

Following his premature exit from the race, Morbidelli underwent medical checks, which revealed a fracture in his left hand. Consequently, he was declared unfit to participate in the post-season Valencia test scheduled for the following Tuesday. This setback means that Morbidelli will be unable to ride the GP25 machine until the Sepang test, scheduled for February, at the earliest.

Espargaro expressed sympathy for Morbidelli, acknowledging the unfortunate repercussions of the accident. However, he also emphasized the need for Morbidelli to improve his focus, suggesting that the VR46 rider has been "involved in one thing or the other" at almost every race weekend.

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"He didn’t see me. I will not blame him," Espargaro stated, seemingly attempting to diffuse any potential controversy. "I feel bad also because he had an injury."

However, he followed this with a more pointed observation: "But he had to be more careful because every weekend one thing or the other happened."

Espargaro elaborated on his perspective, recalling the immediate aftermath of the collision. "I saw him on the floor. I didn’t like it at all." He then contextualized the incident within the usual grid procedures. "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."

He further emphasized the need for heightened awareness on the 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, the race stewards have not yet issued a formal verdict on the incident, as Morbidelli was undergoing medical evaluations. Espargaro was asked whether he believed Morbidelli deserved a penalty for his actions. He responded, "I don’t know. But to me, when your maneuver is dangerous, it has to be a penalty."

He reiterated his concerns about Morbidelli’s concentration levels: "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."

Franco Morbidelli was absent from his post-race media debrief, leaving his side of the story untold at the time of the initial reports.

The VR46 team issued a brief statement regarding the incident, confirming the nature and extent of Morbidelli’s injury. "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."

Aleix Espargaro, who was participating in the race while also testing a 2026 Honda prototype, was forced to retire after just two laps due to the damage sustained by his bike in the collision with Morbidelli.

"It’s a shame because the bike didn’t work at all," Espargaro commented. "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]."

It’s worth noting that Espargaro and Morbidelli have a history of strained relations within the MotoGP paddock, marked by several on-track incidents over the past few years.

Adding further fuel to the fire, just last weekend at the Portuguese GP, Aleix Espargaro’s brother, Pol Espargaro, publicly criticized Morbidelli for what he deemed "way too aggressive" riding, escalating the existing tensions between the riders.

Background on Aleix Espargaro:

Aleix Espargaro, a veteran of the MotoGP circuit, is currently riding for the Repsol Honda Team. His career highlights include multiple podium finishes and a reputation as a tenacious competitor. However, the 2025 season has been challenging for Espargaro, as Honda continues to struggle to regain its competitive edge against rival manufacturers like Ducati and Aprilia.

Background on Franco Morbidelli:

Franco Morbidelli, riding for the VR46 Racing Team, is a former Moto2 World Champion. He has shown flashes of brilliance in MotoGP, securing race wins and podiums, but consistency has often eluded him. Morbidelli’s move to VR46 was intended to provide a fresh start and allow him to compete at the highest level, however, the 2025 season has presented various challenges, including the recent injury sustained at Valencia.

Team VR46 Performance:

The VR46 Racing Team, owned by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, is a relatively new entrant to the premier class. While the team has enjoyed some success, particularly with other riders in their stable, they are still striving to establish themselves as consistent frontrunners. The incident involving Morbidelli at Valencia represents another setback in their quest to climb the MotoGP ranks.

Implications for Morbidelli’s Future:

The fractured hand sustained by Morbidelli will undoubtedly impact his preparations for the upcoming 2026 season. Missing the post-season Valencia test deprives him of valuable track time with the GP25 machine, potentially putting him at a disadvantage compared to his rivals. His recovery and rehabilitation will be closely monitored as he aims to be fully fit for the Sepang test in February.

Potential Sanctions:

The race stewards’ investigation into the incident could result in sanctions for Morbidelli, depending on their assessment of the circumstances. Possible penalties range from a reprimand to a grid penalty for a future race. However, given Morbidelli’s injury, the stewards may take a more lenient approach.

Looking Ahead:

The incident between Espargaro and Morbidelli serves as a reminder of the high stakes and intense competition in MotoGP. As riders push the limits of themselves and their machines, incidents are inevitable. However, the emphasis on rider safety and responsible conduct remains paramount. The MotoGP community will be closely watching Morbidelli’s recovery and his return to racing action in the 2026 season.