The Repsol Honda team announced this Wednesday that it will appeal the decision of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) to apply the penalty imposed on Marc Márquez, even though he does not participate in the Argentine Grand Prix. The Spaniard was penalized for causing an accident at the Portuguese GP on March 26, in which he injured the thumb on his right hand and will miss the next race. For this accident, the FIM imposed a penalty of two long laps (long lap that normally takes about two seconds more than a normal one) that would be applied in the Argentine GP. However, the Federation changed its mind and on Tuesday announced that the Spanish driver would have to serve the sanction in the next race in which he participates.
The Repsol Honda Team has filed an appeal with the FIM Appeal Stewards, arguing that the modification of the sanction “does not conform to current regulations” for the MotoGP World Championship. The FIM reported the change of criteria two days after the initial sanction was firm and final, and the team considers that this action has violated “their rights and legitimate interests.” For this reason, Márquez’s team intends to “use all possible avenues” to appeal the organization’s decision, according to a statement issued by the Repsol Honda Team on Wednesday.
At first and because the initial sanction specified that it would be applied in the Argentine GP, the team and the driver assumed that it would not be applied in other races. However, after the confusion generated by the language used in similar sanctions last season, the stewards issued a statement on Tuesday morning to clarify the situation. “The FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel clarifies its decision in terms of applicability. Considering the injury and non-participation of Marc Márquez, driver #93, in the Argentine GP, and with the will to comply with the intention underlying the decision made by the panel of stewards, the double penalty long lap it must be served during the next MotoGP race in which the rider can participate”.
The accident caused by Márquez, which led to the sanction, occurred during the Portuguese GP race last Sunday, the first stop of the 2023 Motorcycle World Championship. The Spanish pilot made a mistake during a curve on the second lap and touched Jorge Martín (Ducati), causing him to lose control and hit Miguel Oliveria (Aprilia), with the result that both crashed and were eliminated from the race. The Portuguese was not hurt, but Márquez broke his thumb and Jorge Martín, although he was able to continue, also ended up with a broken toe.
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