Raul Fernandez criticized Marco Bezzecchi over their crash in the Mandalika sprint, escalating tensions within Aprilia ahead of the upcoming Grand Prix.
After a chaotic start to the Mandalika sprint race, tensions are running high within the Aprilia team as Raul Fernandez publicly condemned his teammate Marco Bezzecchi for his role in a crash that marred the opening of the event. Fernandez described Bezzecchi's tactics as "not nice," "ungentlemanly," and "not clever," emotions that reflected the mounting frustrations after the incident.
The crash occurred when the four riders—Fernandez, Bezzecchi, Marc Marquez, and Fabio Di Giannantonio—approached Turn 1 nearly side-by-side. As they entered the corner, their trajectories converged, leading to an unfortunate collision. Fernandez exited with a fractured left index finger and now faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the upcoming Grand Prix; however, he intends to attempt the warm-up session.
Fernandez expressed his anger in interviews with both Spanish broadcaster DAZN and Italian broadcaster Sky Sport, where he accused Bezzecchi of deliberately jeopardizing his race and aiding two Ducatis in the process. His emotions were palpable, showcasing the intensity of the moment for the riders involved.
Transitioning from the fiery broadcasts to print media, Fernandez maintained the focus of his critique on Bezzecchi. He articulated that, in his opinion, Bezzecchi entered Turn 1 with the singular goal of overtaking him, ultimately squeezing him toward the track's edge. This move not only allowed two Ducati riders to pass but also set the stage for the disastrous crash.
“For me, the crash is a consequence of the start,” Fernandez elaborated. “I tried to keep my bike in the middle of the track to prevent other riders from overtaking. Marco made a great start but didn’t fully overtake me; he pushed me out wide.” His words conveyed not just frustration at the incident, but also a deep-seated concern for safety in a sport where riders often risk their lives at speeds exceeding 300 km/h.
He mused that the crash could’ve been mitigated if Bezzecchi had exhibited more caution. “It’s frustrating when someone does something that isn’t clean in this sport,” he stated, indicating his discomfort with Bezzecchi’s approach to the race.
Fernandez admitted that while crashes are simply a part of racing, intentional reckless behavior is unacceptable. His irritation was apparent when he noted that Bezzecchi's actions didn't reflect the respectful nature expected between teammates. “We crash, that’s racing,” he explained, “but doing something you know isn’t right—that’s the real problem.”
Compounding his frustration was the realization that while he’s not contending for the championship, Bezzecchi is. “He was thinking just of me,” Fernandez remarked, adding that he found Bezzecchi’s strategy “not very smart.” His ire was reserved more so for Bezzecchi than for Jorge Martin, who was involved in a separate incident during the race that Fernandez considered a mere mistake rather than a premeditated action.
Bezzecchi’s Response
In light of Fernandez’s pointed critiques, Bezzecchi responded to the backlash with a more measured tone, suggesting that Fernandez's anger might stem from the heat of the moment. “I might be the one who can confirm this more than anyone,” he joked, referencing a previous incident in a light-hearted manner.
Bezzecchi maintained that the crash was a “racing incident,” emphasizing his intent to position himself optimally for braking without unnecessarily risking the race outcome. “Raul touched me,” he remarked, downplaying Fernandez’s anger. “At the end of the day, this is racing. It just happened.”
He seemed keen to set aside the conflict to focus on future performance rather than dwelling on the incident, signaling his desire to move past the controversy.
Perspectives from Rivals
From the wider racing community, Marc Marquez shed light on the lead-up to the crash, pointing out how four bikes in close proximity can lead to such dynamics. “Bezzecchi was focused on Raul, while I was looking at him, and Diggia was watching me," he explained, noting how this interconnected attention among competitors exacerbated the situation.
For Di Giannantonio, the crash was unexpected, as he had not initially recognized the extent of the incident. “Honestly, you have to ask the others about it—me, I just got hit again,” he shared, highlighting the unpredictable nature of racing.
This series of events underscores the complexities of racing dynamics, particularly when teammates collide. As these riders regroup for future events, the lessons learned from this sprint may influence their strategies moving forward—both on the track and within their team. The upcoming Grand Prix will serve as a crucial test for the Aprilia team as they navigate the fallout from the Mandalika incident.
