Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia) lost his temper in the third free practice of the Qatar GP, FP2, and his excessive action has cost him dearly: a 10,000 euro fine and the loss of 6 positions on the starting grid for slapping Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha).
Espargaró was sanctioned for his “aggressive attitude and physical aggression” – a blow to the head – on the Italian Franco Morbidelli during Saturday’s second free practice in Lusail.
The controversial action happened as a result of a touch that the Catalan and the Italian had when they were drawing parallel. His machines touched each other, Aleix Espargaró took it very badly, he rebuked Morbidelli with his arm, who came up to his level and gesturally showed him his apologies with his arm.
But the Aprilia rider did not accept them, and when he was close to the Yamaha, he hit the Italian on the head as a slap in the head.
The action has been harshly punished by the Qatar GP Race Direction. So Aleix Espargaró drops from tenth to 16th starting position.
