Franco Morbidelli’s weekend at the Catalan Grand Prix spiraled into chaos, leaving him facing significant penalties just days before his home race at Misano. The VR46 rider entered the event dealing with a long lap penalty from a prior incident, but his troubles compounded during the race after a severe crash involving Italian riders Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Details of the Collision and Resulting Controversy
Morbidelli began the race already under pressure from a previous clash with Jorge Martin during the Sprint event, carrying a long lap penalty. Early in the contest, Morbidelli collided with Marco Bezzecchi, causing the latter to crash. Fabio Di Giannantonio, attempting to avoid Bezzecchi’s fallen bike, also lost control and crashed. While initially classified as a racing mishap, the situation escalated when Morbidelli disregarded direct marshal instructions, creating further danger on the track.
FIM’s Verdict and Penalties Imposed
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) issued a stern ruling against Morbidelli, identifying him as culpable for irresponsible conduct after ignoring marshal orders. The official statement declared:
“On September 7, 2025, at 14:37:22 during the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia, after an incident at Turn 10, you were found guilty of demonstrating irresponsible behavior, disobeying direct orders from the marshals, and causing a danger to yourself and others.”
This ruling led to a suspension for the first 10 minutes of free practice at Misano and a €2,000 fine, delivering a significant setback to Morbidelli’s preparations and reputation.
Implications Ahead of the Misano Race
Morbidelli’s penalty arrives at a particularly sensitive moment, shortly after confirming his contract extension through 2026. The incident, coupled with on-track aggression criticized by fans, has drawn unfavorable comparisons to a struggling Marc Marquez. As he prepares for Misano, Morbidelli faces intensified scrutiny to demonstrate he can control his racing conduct and regain trust within the VR46 team.
Looking Forward: The Pressure at Misano
With this disciplinary action hanging over him, Morbidelli must navigate Misano’s high stakes event while showing resilience and maturity. This penalty will test whether he can rebound from the Catalonia controversy or continue faltering under pressure. The racing community now watches closely to see if Morbidelli can transform adversity into a comeback performance.
