P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Espargaro to Bastianini: “Don’t try and overtake 25 riders in the first corner”
“There was a disagreement among riders regarding whether moving the starting position would have made a difference, but Espargaro, who achieved a remarkable double win in Catalonia, expressed his opinion without reservation. He stated, ‘I think we are skilled enough to brake at the right point and not try to overtake 25 riders in the first corner. It’s not about where you place the start, but about the rider’s skills. It’s not that difficult; we just need to be more relaxed in the first corner.’ There were eight riders who crashed in the first corner today, and it’s dangerous. But believe me, it’s not about where the start is placed. If you place the start in the corner but someone doesn’t want to brake, it won’t help either.’
During the race today, Enea Bastianini crashed into the rear of Johann Zarco at turn one, causing four other Ducati riders to be wiped out. This incident occurred moments before another factory Ducati rider, Francesco Bagnaia, had a spectacular highsiding crash at the exit of turn two. Vinales agreed with Espargaro’s perspective during the post-race press conference, stating, ‘It’s very clear that it’s about where you brake. We witnessed a rider taking excessive risks and running out of space. I don’t think it has anything to do with the track layout.’
While penalties have become more consistent in recent races, Espargaro suggested that lap one mistakes that have a significant impact on multiple riders should be penalized more severely. He concluded, ‘I would like to say that, for me, the penalties are generally acceptable, but the penalties for incidents in the first corner need to be more severe. I believe it should be a minimum of a double Long Lap penalty if you cause a crash involving five riders in the first corner.'”
Source: Crash.net
