P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oliveira likely handed first penalty of 2024 MotoGP season
Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira collided with fellow Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro during the opening lap of the sprint race in Qatar. Oliveira sustained a broken right scapula, ruling him out of the Qatar GP. Espargaro also suffered a leg fracture but has been cleared to race. Oliveira has been given a long lap penalty for the incident, which he will serve at the next race he competes in. However, he is unlikely to be fit for the Valencia GP, meaning his next race will be in 2024 in Qatar. Oliveira describes the incident as a small racing incident and expresses disappointment at crashing with his teammate. He is uncertain about the extent of his injury and whether he will need surgery. Oliveira’s first season with RNF Aprilia has been challenging, with only eight finishes and a best result of fourth place.
