The local rider finished sixth in FP1 at the San Marino Grand Prix on his Ducati, but was involved in an incident with Alex Márquez and his LCR Honda. The Italian went off in the first sequence of corners and was lapping quite slowly down the line when he rejoined on lap three, by which time the Spaniard was going full throttle.
Bagnaia was summoned by the stewards to testify in the MotoGP Race Direction after the first free practice session and has been penalized three positions for the starting grid in Sunday’s race at Misano.
The LCR rider was forced to abort his lap, while Enea Bastianini, with his Gresini Team Ducati trailing behind them both, also had to scrap that final fastest lap.
In a brief statement from the FIM Stewards Panel it was explained: “On September 2, 2022, during the last session of the FP1 of the Gran Premio Grifyn di San Marino E Della Riviera di Rimini, he was observed to roll slowly on the line of the race, causing a dangerous situation for other drivers”.
“That contradicts the specific instruction given to MotoGP competitors and teams, interrupting the session, and is considered irresponsible driving causing danger to other riders.”
“Therefore, it is an infringement of article 1.21.2 of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix regulations.”
“For the above reasons, having received some initial information, and after receiving several email reminders and warnings to both riders and teams during the last season, the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel has imposed a penalty of three positions on the grid.
Bagnaia comes into his home race just 44 points off the lead after winning the last three races. After being 91 units back following his fourth DNF at the German GP in June, the recent run of success has revived his championship hopes as reigning champion Fabio Quartararo led the session.
Pecco Bagnaia’s future Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini was 7th after the incident, while Alex Márquez was 14th after aborting the final lap.
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