Franco Morbidelli openly criticized Aleix Espargaró following a collision during the British Grand Prix that reignited tensions between the two riders. The incident happened early in the race and reminded Morbidelli of a similar clash at Misano in 2020, leaving him visibly upset with the Spaniard. This latest incident saw Morbidelli accuse Espargaró of reckless riding that affected his performance and championship points.
Details of the Incident and Morbidelli’s Reaction
Morbidelli recalled the moment of impact, saying he was navigating a corner when Espargaró again caused a crash that severely hurt his chances.
“I was doing my corner, and again, this is not the first time Aleix crashed to, you know, to… I don’t know what to do, but exactly like in 2020 when he made me lose my second race in Misano and finally made me lose the points for the championship,”
Morbidelli said.
“And, again, this time also this time, he risked just to don’t make me pass through, and crashed on me, again! It was a nasty crash. I’m in pain. I don’t know if I have something broken, but I take the positives of the day, which was the amazing performance we had when we were able to restart.”
Tribute to the Team’s Efforts in Recovery
Despite his discomfort, Morbidelli praised the swift and effective response of his crew, who helped him return to the race.
“Thanks to the guys that did an amazing work, the pit box being on time with everything, thanks to Matteo and to Udani, who did an amazing work. I take the positive, the negative, I leave them on some other side,”
he said, highlighting the crucial role the team played after the crash.
Espargaró’s Defense and Morbidelli’s Firm Response
Aleix Espargaró later offered his side, explaining that he braked early to give Morbidelli space but lost control in the process. Though he acknowledged understanding Morbidelli’s frustration, Morbidelli was dismissive when asked about Espargaró’s explanation.
“It’s not a big deal. He won’t be here when he’s restless. Forget about it,”
Morbidelli responded sharply, indicating lingering anger over the collision and signaling a tense rivalry moving forward.
