P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Jorge Martin’s MotoGP pre-season-wrecking crash at Sepang has been a source of much intrigue – and considerable behind-the-scenes discord – in the championship paddock
Aprilia rider Jorge Martin’s MotoGP pre-season crash at Sepang has stirred controversy in the paddock, with speculation and discord surrounding the incident. Despite Aprilia’s claims, Michelin, the control tyre manufacturer, has refuted accusations of tire responsibility in the highside crash. The crash, Martin’s second in 45 minutes, occurred at Turn 2 of the Malaysian circuit, resulting in injuries to his hand, foot, and head. Aprilia team boss Massimo Rivola emphasized the need for a satisfactory explanation as neither rider error nor bike fault could explain the crash. Michelin’s Piero Taramasso stated that the tyre involved was standard and built last season, dismissing claims of irregularities in its composition or performance. Criticism has arisen regarding the tyre allocation for the track, with some riders expressing a lack of appropriate soft tyres for optimal performance, contributing to a challenging testing day at Sepang for the MotoGP teams.
