Jack Miller, the Pramac Ducati rider, was fined €2000 after the San Marino MotoGP for riding the wrong way on the circuit to give his race gloves to a fan. The incident occurred immediately following the race, when Miller spotted a supporter holding a banner offering a free beer in exchange for gloves during the formation lap.
To reach the fan near the grandstand, Miller had to turn around and ride against the usual circuit flow. Although he ensured safety during the maneuver, this action violated Article 1.21.11 of the MotoGP regulations, which forbids riders from traveling in the opposite direction on track or in the pitlane unless directed by an official.
Details of the Incident and Miller’s Explanation
Miller finished the race in 12th place, trailing his teammate Miguel Oliveira by three positions. After the checkered flag, he stopped near the grandstand to fulfill the fan’s request but had to perform an unusual U-turn to do so. Miller described his actions in his own words:
“So I went down the back straight, and I saw this morning [that] there was a fan with a sign saying, ‘give us your gloves and we’ll give you a beer’,” Jack Miller explained.
“I pulled up, and I overshot him a little bit. I pulled up, spun around, went about 30 metres back up the road, and then to do a U-turn, I went back on the track, once I saw there was nobody coming. I spun a U-bolt, and then pulled up and gave the fans my gloves.”
Although Miller fulfilled the fan’s request, the promised beer was never received, turning his kind gesture into an expensive one. He expressed his frustration about the fine and the lack of reward:
“No, I didn’t get the beer, and I got a €2,000 fine. Good day,” Miller remarked.
“A fine’s coming. When Dorna decide to use the video this week to promote it all on socials and stuff like that, then I’ll be sure to say that €2,000 fine is ridiculous.”
Fan Interaction Highlights Contrast with Other Sports Incidents
In recent weeks, social media has been buzzing with clips of sports-related conflicts, including a CEO taking a kid’s hat during the US Open and a woman confronting a man over a caught baseball at an MLB game. Despite the penalty, Miller took pride in the positive moment shared with MotoGP fans, contrasting the sport’s fan culture with those incidents.
“While we were on the trailer, this morning doing the parade lap, and that [banner] was still there on the fence, so I was happy to oblige, give them a set of gloves, and it was a very nice moment,” Miller said.
He further praised MotoGP fans for their respectful nature:
“You would have seen the videos of the Philly Karrens stealing some kids’ baseball this week, a d***head stealing a kid’s hat in tennis.
A VR46 fan next door to this fan caught my glove and handed it back over to the other guy. It was a very nice moment, which was special because our fans are different.”
Implications of the Fine and What Lies Ahead
This incident shines a light on the strict enforcement of safety regulations in MotoGP, even when actions are made with good intent. Miller’s gesture, though warmly received by spectators, underscores the challenges riders face balancing fan engagement with adherence to rules. The €2000 fine serves as a reminder of the sport’s commitment to safety and order on the track.
As the MotoGP season continues, interactions between riders and fans are likely to remain under close scrutiny, especially in high-profile venues like the San Marino Grand Prix. How riders navigate these moments could influence future regulatory discussions around on-track conduct after races.
