Franco Morbidelli is currently facing the possibility of a ride-through penalty after receiving a special warning from MotoGP stewards following recent incidents on the track. The warnings come as a result of violations during the Catalan Grand Prix weekend, raising concerns about his future behavior in races.
Details of Penalties from Recent Races
During the Catalan Grand Prix, Morbidelli was penalized twice. His first penalty was for causing a collision with Aprilia’s Jorge Martin in the sprint race, for which he was assigned a long-lap penalty. The second came on Sunday after he disobeyed marshals’ direct instructions following a crash in the main race. This led to a fine and a suspension from the first 10 minutes of FP1 at the upcoming San Marino Grand Prix.
Due to several past infractions over recent years, the stewards have issued a stern warning to Morbidelli, making it clear that his conduct will be monitored more strictly. Although they have ruled out a race ban, he has been put on notice that any further offenses will lead to harsher consequences, including the potential ride-through penalty during a race.
Morbidelli Clarifies the Nature of the Warning
Morbidelli refuted rumors that he would be forced to skip an entire race after another mistake, explaining the warning differently.
“I heard a story that somebody put out that authorities told me that I’m going to skip a race if I make another offence,”
he said, dismissing the claim. Instead, he confirmed the stewards’ approach to issuing ride-through penalties if he commits another infringement.
I’m going to have a ride-through if I have another offence. The stewards will judge offensively.
—Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team
He compared his current situation to receiving an ‘orange card’ in football, representing a serious caution between a yellow and a red card, reflecting a middle-ground warning. This indicates the stewards’ intent to give him a final chance before taking even firmer action.
Rarity of Ride-Through Penalties in MotoGP
While long-lap penalties have become a standard disciplinary measure since their introduction in 2019, ride-through penalties remain infrequent in MotoGP. Morbidelli’s potential penalty is therefore a significant warning that illustrates the stewards’ impatience with his recent racing conduct.
Morbidelli’s Response and Strategy Moving Forward
In reaction to the increased scrutiny, Morbidelli said he is prepared to dial back his aggression during races to avoid further penalties. He acknowledged that this could give his rivals an advantage in head-to-head battles, but emphasized the necessity of holding back to maintain compliance with the rules.
I’m gonna definitely have to be less aggressive for some things that can be read as offensive,
he said.
This is an advantage for my opponents, that if they are good, they can for sure use this to their advantage. But that’s what I have to do in order to not go through any episode that can be read as offensive or not.
—Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team
He further explained his commitment to modifying his riding style, focusing on precision and caution to avoid serious penalties. He expressed the need to “completely shut the aggression button” to prevent costly mistakes and their consequences.
I will work to be definitely less aggressive and definitely more precise. But in the meantime, I will have to completely shut the aggression button. Because if I make a mistake, I’m gonna pay it quite heavily.
—Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team
Morbidelli added that he has taken the stewards’ special warning seriously and intends to pay closer attention to how his maneuvers might be interpreted going forward.
The deal is that I need to pay more attention to some moves that I do. And that’s what I will try to do. To convince me even more on doing this, the stewards give me this kind of special warning. And that’s what I will try to do.
—Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team
Implications for Morbidelli and the Season Ahead
This warning and the looming Franco Morbidelli ride-through risk mark a critical moment in his MotoGP career and racing approach. With stewards signaling zero tolerance for reckless behavior, Morbidelli’s reduced aggression could influence his competitiveness but also improve his reliability on the track. As the season progresses, his ability to adapt will be crucial in maintaining his standing and avoiding further penalties.
The heightened scrutiny from officials also reflects the demand for safer and more disciplined racing, and Morbidelli’s situation illustrates how even established riders face strict controls for on-track conduct. The outcome at upcoming events like the San Marino Grand Prix will likely reveal how effectively he can balance caution with competitive racing.
