The CEO of Aprilia Racing, Massimo Rivola, has expressed his disagreement with the stewards’ decision not to penalize Marc Márquez for his collision with Marco Bezzecchi during the sprint of the Qatar Grand Prix. Rivola ironically applauded the decision, insisting that the Spanish rider should have avoided the incident.
During the short race held at Losail, Márquez slightly altered his trajectory, allowing Bezzecchi to overtake the Ducati rider in the first corner. When returning to his line, Márquez and Bezzecchi collided, causing the Aprilia to stop and the airbag of the Catalan rider to deactivate, as well as the loss of chances to compete for the 2026 title.
After the incident, Rivola publicly expressed his opinion on a sports program, where he conveyed his sympathy for Bezzecchi and defended that, in these incidents, it is essential to identify which rider could have avoided the collision. “Without a doubt, Marco could not avoid it,” he asserted. “If it wasn’t him, it’s clear that it was Márquez who closed in on Bezzecchi.”
Furthermore, Rivola emphasized the importance of decisions made at key moments of the season, such as in a sprint, where a sanction could significantly influence the main race. Finally, the executive highlighted Aprilia’s technical advantage, which translates into better turning capability, asserting that Bezzecchi ran with an adequate rhythm, allowing him to gain time.
Despite the fall in the sprint, Bezzecchi achieved victory in the Grand Prix, keeping his title hopes alive. Meanwhile, Márquez finished second, extending his championship lead to 60 points.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
