ZARCO PENALISED FOR MORBIDELLI CRASH

Johann Zarco penalised for Franco Morbidelli crash – Photo: LAT

French MotoGP rider Johann Zarco has been dealt a large penalty for ‘irresponsible’ riding that led to the frightening collision with Petronas Yamaha rider Franco Morbidelli.

By DAN McCARTHY

At the conclusion of the opening practice session the FIM MotoGP stewards came to the decision that due to his irresponsible riding last weekend Zarco will have to start Sunday’s Styrian Grand Prix in Austria from the pitlane.

The incident at Turn 2 saw both Zarco and Morbidelli flung from their bikes that continued at full speed towards the tight Turn 3 being negotiated by Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales.

Somehow, both the out of control bikes missed the unaware Yamaha riders by mere millimetres and highlighted the dangers of the Turn 2 and 3 complex for motorbike riders.

As a result of the near fatal collision, FIM have extended the debris fence aligned by tyres and an air fence that now runs across the grass almost to the apex of the third turn.

Yesterday the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel held hearings with both Zarco and Morbidelli and concluded that Zarco showed “evidence of irresponsible riding” and as a result he will start the race from pitlane.

Zarco has been forced to miss today’s practice sessions due to a fractured scaphold in his wrist caused by the incident, it will be determined later today if he is able to race this weekend.

If the former Moto2 champion is unable to compete this weekend his pitlane start penalty will carry over to the next round at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in three weeks’ time.

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