Franco Morbidelli has been given a long lap penalty for the MotoGP San Marino 2025 race after impeding Enea Bastianini during free practice. The decision comes as a significant blow for the VR46 rider, who is striving to perform at his best in front of his home crowd.
The incident occurred at Turn 13 when Morbidelli was travelling slowly on the racing line while Bastianini was approaching at high speed. The KTM Tech3 rider was forced to slow down to avoid a collision. Race stewards deemed Morbidelli's action a serious infringement and issued the penalty.
In an official document released by Race Direction, the penalty was not solely due to the incident with Bastianini. “Taking into account the rider's numerous infringements throughout the season, the appropriate penalty in this case is a long lap penalty,” the statement read. This indicates that Morbidelli has committed similar offences multiple times, and the accumulation weighed against him.
The long lap penalty is particularly costly as the rider must navigate an extended loop off the racing line, typically losing valuable time. For Morbidelli, who is fighting to secure his position in the championship standings, this penalty could impact his race result and his chances of scoring crucial points.
This season has been far from smooth for Morbidelli. He has been involved in several impeding incidents that disrupted other riders. This tarnishes his reputation as an experienced rider and could affect his relationships with the team and rivals. The long lap sanction serves as a stern warning for him to be more cautious in maintaining track position.
With this penalty, Morbidelli will have to work extra hard in Sunday's race. He will not only compete against top riders but also must serve the penalty before returning to a competitive pace. If he fails to manage the situation, his position in the standings could be at risk, especially as his closest rivals will look to capitalise on the opportunity.
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