Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola Criticizes Stewards Over Marquez-Bezzecchi Collision
Aprilia claims Marc Marquez caused the Qatar sprint crash that hindered Marco Bezzecchi.
1Sprint Race Collision
During the Qatar Grand Prix sprint at Losail, a collision occurred between Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi. The incident happened at the first corner when Marquez returned to the racing line, causing Bezzecchi to crash. Marquez's airbag deployed during the contact, while the Aprilia rider suffered a significant setback to his title hopes.
2Rivola's Critical Stance
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola expressed strong disagreement with the stewards' decision not to penalize Marc Marquez. Rivola argued that Bezzecchi was in a position where he could not avoid the contact, placing the fault squarely on Marquez. He publicly questioned the fairness of the officiating during such a critical season stage.
3Determining Rider Fault
Rivola emphasized that stewards must evaluate which rider had the capacity to avoid an incident. He asserted that since Bezzecchi could not have maneuvered differently, the responsibility fell on Marquez for closing in on the Aprilia rider. This perspective highlights a fundamental disagreement regarding track positioning and the interpretation of racing rules.
4Call for Rider Consultation
The Aprilia executive suggested that stewards should have consulted the riders involved before finalizing their decision. Given the high stakes of the 2026 title fight, Rivola believed a direct dialogue would have led to a fairer outcome. He noted that sprint race penalties often carry implications for the main Sunday grand prix.
5Technical Racing Advantage
Rivola highlighted Aprilia's technical advantage in cornering, which allows their riders to stick closer to the ideal racing line. He explained that Bezzecchi took the corner calmly and gained time, but the collision disrupted this momentum. This technical nuance underscores the competitive tension between the Ducati and Aprilia factory teams this season.
6Championship Title Implications
The crash effectively ended Bezzecchi's realistic title hopes for 2026, despite his recovery to win the grand prix on Sunday. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez finished second in the main race, extending his championship lead to 60 points. The incident remains a point of contention as the season approaches its final, decisive rounds.
7No Formal Appeal
Despite his vocal criticism, Massimo Rivola confirmed that Aprilia will not be lodging a formal appeal against the stewards' decision. He acknowledged that these specific rulings are not subject to the appeal process. Consequently, the team is forced to accept the outcome and focus on the remaining races of the season.
8Broader Regulatory Concerns
This incident has sparked wider discussions about the consistency of MotoGP officiating and the potential for alienating fans. With the championship battle intensifying, the handling of on-track clashes remains under scrutiny. The sport faces pressure to ensure that race control decisions are transparent and perceived as equitable by all competing teams.