Following Marc Marquez team’s appeal against the one minute penality that he received several hours after his controversial clash with Pol Espargaro in Moto2 that resulted Espargaro ending up in the gravel pit.
After several more hours the previous ruling has been overturned by the FIM stewards.
The penalty was initially issued for violation of rule 1.
21.
2 which states: “Riders must ride in a responsible manner which does not cause danger to other competitors or participants.
” Marquez was briefly stripped of his 3rd place and put in 23rd which put him fourth in the standings, but with the overturning, his 3rd place and the 16 points have been restored and he is now back to second in the championship.
Press releases from the FIM and Honda Racing after the jump: Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya: decision of the Race Direction and FIM StewardsOn Sunday 03 June during the Moto2 Race, rider Marc MARQUEZ (SPA) rode in an irresponsible manner causing danger to rider Pol ESPARGARO (SPA) which is an infringement of the article 1.
21.
2 of the 2012 FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.
The Race Direction decided to impose on the rider a time penalty of 1 minute to be added on his race time.
An appeal has been lodged with the FIM Stewards.
The FIM Stewards did not confirm the decision of the Race Direction and cancelled the penalty.
An appeal may now be lodged with the FIM CDI.
Official press release from Honda Racing (official Moto2 engine provider):Marquez reinstated after Catalan GP appealMarc Márquez (Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol-Suter) has been returned to third place in today’s Catalan Grand Prix Moto2 race following an appeal by his team.
The Spaniard had been given a one-minute penalty by Race Direction for his part in a collision with Pol Espargaro (Pons 40 HP Tuenti-Kalex) in the final stages of the 23 lap event.
But the FIM stewards did not confirm the decision of the Race Direction and cancelled the penalty.
This latest decision demotes Esteve Rabat (Pons 40 HP Tuenti Kalex) to fourth place.
Marc Márquez“The race was so hard and difficult, especially because Andrea was so strong.
I followed him I thought maybe I could pass in the last laps.
But he was too strong.
During the final laps I felt comfortable behind Andrea, but then I made a small mistake and nearly crashed.
Then I had a collision with Pol.
I want to say sorry to him but I didn’t know he was right behind me.
These 16 points are important for the championship because you cannot win every race and especially because this was a hard weekend after we had a little confusion with bike settings on Friday.
”