Espargaro Voices Concern Over Morbidelli's Overly Ambitious Move at Portuguese Grand Prix

Portimão, Portugal – Pol Espargaro, filling in for the Tech3 KTM team, has criticized Franco Morbidelli’s aggressive overtaking attempt on the first lap of the Portuguese Grand Prix, deeming it "way too aggressive" and a catalyst for a chaotic start to the race. The incident at Turn 5 resulted in Morbidelli’s early exit and impacted several other riders, prompting Espargaro’s critique of the VR46 Ducati rider’s judgment.

The incident occurred on the opening lap as the field jostled for position, with Morbidelli attempting to gain multiple places in the downhill run into Turn 5. Espargaro, caught in the thick of the pack, asserted that Morbidelli’s entry speed was unsustainable for the corner, especially considering the full fuel load carried by the bikes at the start of the race.

"He entered way, way, way too aggressively," Espargaro explained. "He tried to overtake… I think there were three or four guys there. He came inside and he was entering too aggressively for the first lap, at Turn 5, where you go downhill, with a full tank."

Espargaro elaborated on the chain reaction caused by Morbidelli’s maneuver, stating that the Italian rider realized he could not stop the bike and subsequently attempted to navigate through the narrow gap between riders. This resulted in a "domino effect," forcing riders to run wide and disrupting their lines.

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"He realized he couldn’t stop the bike, that’s why he went in between the riders. We were lucky because I don’t know who was in front of me that also picked up the bike," Espargaro recounted. "He generated a kind of domino effect where everyone goes [wide] and it’s super messy. So when I was going in, I had also guys in front that were affected from this movement. And yes, we collided. But I mean, he was too optimistic [under braking]. And suddenly it was chaotic."

Morbidelli, who crashed out as a result of the incident, did not attend media sessions following the race. The VR46 Ducati team cited medical precaution as the reason for his absence, although reports indicated that he was uninjured after medical checks.

This incident adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of Morbidelli’s riding conduct. The Italian rider has faced criticism and penalties in the past for aggressive maneuvers, raising questions about his on-track behavior. In the 2024 season, Morbidelli received penalties for incidents in previous races, leading to discussions about his track etiquette.

Adding further context to the situation, there is existing tension between Morbidelli and the Espargaro family. Earlier in the year, Morbidelli clashed with Pol’s brother, Aleix Espargaro, during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. That incident resulted in heated exchanges between the two riders, with Morbidelli expressing his displeasure with Aleix’s racing.

Aleix Espargaro, who retired from full-time MotoGP racing at the end of 2024, was competing as a wildcard entry for Aprilia at Silverstone. Since his retirement, the elder Espargaro brother has taken on a test rider role for Honda, contributing to the development of their MotoGP machine.

Pol Espargaro’s participation in the Portuguese Grand Prix marked a return to racing action as a stand-in rider for the Tech3 KTM team. Despite underlining a few weeks ago that he had never officially retired, Espargaro said after the Portimao weekend that he had no wish to return to life as a full-time MotoGP rider. While he enjoyed previous replacement outings in Malaysia and Australia, Espargaro confessed to feeling the pressures of racing more acutely and expressed a desire to spend more time with his family.

"I enjoyed Malaysia," said Espargaro. "I enjoyed Australia. I did not enjoy it here so much… I’m missing my daughters. No, honestly, I’m missing my life out of here. It’s really hard to keep taking that pressure weekend by weekend and knowing that… yeah, I sound bad… but everything can finish in the blink of an eye. I was not thinking about these things when I was young. But now I’m listening to the anthem at the beginning of every race and I’m thinking, ‘F***, it could be the last’, you know? And this is very hard. Before, I was alone – but not anymore. And I want to spend more time with my family."

Franco Morbidelli’s transition to the VR46 Racing Team for the 2024 season was anticipated to be a fresh start after a challenging period with the factory Yamaha team. However, the season has presented its share of hurdles, with the rider struggling to find consistency and adapt to the Ducati machinery.

Morbidelli’s career trajectory has been marked by periods of success and adversity. He achieved the Moto2 World Championship in 2017 and secured multiple podium finishes in MotoGP, including three race wins. However, injuries and bike performance issues have hindered his progress in recent years.

The VR46 Racing Team, owned by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, has been a competitive force in the premier class. The team has nurtured young talents and provided a platform for riders to showcase their potential. Morbidelli’s addition to the team was expected to bring experience and a renewed competitive edge.

The Portuguese Grand Prix, held at the challenging Portimão circuit, is known for its undulating layout and demanding corners. The track requires riders to possess precision and bravery, making it a true test of skill. The Turn 5 incident involving Morbidelli highlighted the risks associated with aggressive overtaking maneuvers, especially on the opening lap when the field is tightly packed.

The incident involving Morbidelli and Espargaro is currently under review, with race direction officials examining the available evidence to determine if any further action is necessary. The outcome of the review could have implications for Morbidelli’s future races, potentially leading to grid penalties or other sanctions.

As the MotoGP season progresses, riders and teams will be aiming to gather momentum and establish themselves as championship contenders. The upcoming races will provide further opportunities for riders to demonstrate their skills and battle for supremacy on the track.

Background on Riders and Teams:

Pol Espargaro: Currently a test rider for KTM, Espargaro has a long history in MotoGP, including stints with Yamaha, Tech3, and Honda. He has achieved multiple podium finishes and is known for his aggressive riding style. He had a season to forget in 2023, sustaining serious injuries in the first round of the season at Portimao which saw him miss a large part of the season.
Franco Morbidelli: The 2017 Moto2 World Champion, Morbidelli has raced for Honda and Yamaha before joining VR46 Ducati. His best MotoGP season was in 2020, where he finished as the championship runner-up.
Tech3 KTM: A satellite team for KTM, Tech3 has a reputation for developing young talent and providing opportunities for riders to progress in MotoGP.
VR46 Racing Team: Owned by Valentino Rossi, the VR46 Racing Team is a prominent force in MotoGP, fielding competitive riders and challenging for podiums.

The MotoGP community awaits further updates regarding any potential action from race direction and the reactions from both riders.