A “disappointed” Jorge Martin has apologised to Aprilia and team manager Paolo Bonora for shoving Bonora at the conclusion of MotoGP’s Catalan Grand Prix.
Tempers flared as Martin arrived back to the pits at the end of the race, having non-scored on a weekend in which he looked on course to take the championship lead from struggling team-mate Marco Bezzecchi.
But after Martin avoided the two red flag-causing incidents, he was removed from victory contention at the final restart by a Turn 4 lunge from Aprilia stablemate Raul Fernandez.
No penalty was issued for Trackhouse rider Fernandez’s move – as it’s believed the stewards felt Martin had not yielded sufficiently to what was initially a valid overtaking attempt.
But it was clear the factory Aprilia team was seriously displeased, as evidenced in a tetchy in-race exchange between Aprilia racing boss Massimo Rivola and Trackhouse team boss Davide Brivio.
However, TV cameras captured Martin in an incandescent mood when he arrived to the Aprilia pit box – and it culminated in a push on team manager Bonora.
“This is something I want to apologise for – the first thing, to the team and to Bonora,” Martin – who is set to leave Aprilia for Yamaha in 2027 – said afterwards.
“Because, yeah, I pushed him a bit. I was so frustrated about the situation. Because of what happened.
“But yeah, I will improve, absolutely. This is what I always try to do, improve every day.
“While I was riding, I was thinking a lot and I was relaxing. But as soon as I arrived, everything went [emotionally] high again.
“I’m disappointed about my reaction. But, you know, I was really hot about what happened. I had the potential today to win, but I couldn’t finish.”
Of the collision with Fernandez, Martin said: “I don’t have nothing to say. You can see it from the television.”
He ultimately felt his race today was “completely secondary” to what went on with the two red flags, with terrifying incidents for Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco – who have been reported as out of danger but whose exact injuries are yet unconfirmed.
He felt MotoGP “needs to improve” with how it handles days like these – and suggested three separate starts might be excessive.
“For sure the show must go on, as always. But after three times maybe it’s time to stop the thing.
“Maybe, I don’t know. I don’t know, it’s not in my hands. But for sure, three starts I think is quite dangerous.
“You lose concentration completely and then go back in. I mean, I’m confident that I can do it – but there are other riders that cannot.
“So I think at that point it’s quite dangerous to continue restarting. Because how long could this be? Six-seven times? I don’t know.”
