Should Enea Bastianini have been punished? The MotoGP editorial team discusses

The collision between Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin on the last lap of the Misano race was a real shock. The MotoGP community agrees on that. But that's where the consensus ends. There are those among riders and fans who would have considered a penalty for Bastianini to be fair. And then there are those who simply classify the collision as tough but friendly racing.

Also in the MotoGP department of Motorsport-Magazin.com On the second Sunday in Misano, there is – for once – no agreement. How our editors Markus and Tobias saw the collision between Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin and how they as stewards would have decided in this scene so that you don't have to.

Pro: There must be limits somewhere

Tobias Mühlbauer: If we follow the rules exactly, then it is probably OK for the stewards not to impose a penalty here. Enea Bastianini's maneuver “only” goes into the so-called blue zone and that is not considered leaving the course in terms of reins. He could only be penalized for unsportsmanlike behavior. In the language of the stewards, that is called “irresponsible riding.”

But for me this is the case and I also don't see the proportionality. In Moto3, Dani Holgado lost a position because he drove just over the track limits at another point. Here, a driver completely knocks another driver off the track and he has no chance to defend himself. In addition, Bastianini doesn't really manage the corner. He drives over the curbs at the corner exit, onto the blue area mentioned. That may still be considered a track in the rules, but it doesn't seem right to me. The fact that he then said that he had kept the line is downright ridiculous to me.

In my opinion, the order should have been restored. “Drop one position” should have been displayed on Bastianini's dashboard, which would have made Martin the winner and Bastianini second. I'm not asking for anything more than that. No draconian penalties, such as for violations of the tire pressure rule. Bastianini's maneuver went just a little too far, but there has to be a limit somewhere. Otherwise, every driver can simply drive his opponents off the track without having to fear consequences. Some may celebrate that as tough racing, but it is always unfair to those who are pushed off the track without any possibility of defense.

Contra: Enea Bastianini was tough, but not unfair

Markus Zoerweg: It is definitely surprising that the race director and the MotoGP stewards responsible for penalties did not even investigate the collision between Bastianini and Martin. After all, this scene not only selected the battle for victory in the race and has significant implications for the World Championship, it was also definitely at the limit of what is allowed in MotoGP.

There are three main factors to consider when assessing the scene. Number 1: track limits. Both drivers left the track after the collision. However, as the asphalt in turn four is painted blue and not green, this does not count as a track limit violation. Martin would have been acquitted anyway, after all, he was pushed into the run-off area by Bastianini. But Bastianini cannot be prosecuted for leaving the track either. It should also be noted that his excursion over the curb only happened when he turned around to look at his opponent Martin. Such a situation is to be assessed differently than leaving the track due to excessive speed or an overly aggressive choice of line.

Factors two and three relate to the “Irresponsible Riding” paragraph in the MotoGP sporting regulations. This states that riders must not endanger opponents or gain an unfair advantage through their behavior on the track. Bastianini's maneuver in one of the slowest corners of the Misano World Circuit was definitely not dangerous. So the only question that remains is whether his attack on Martin was fair. It was undoubtedly at the limit, but it certainly was not against the spirit of the sport. Overtaking is difficult in modern MotoGP, and the crowbar is often the only option for the riders. Bastianini was only able to really attack Martin in turn 4 to win his home race and preserve his small chance of winning the 2024 world championship title. There was contact, but it had no dramatic consequences for any of the opponents in the accident. If such actions are banned, MotoGP is doomed.

Now it's your turn: Would you have punished Enea Bastianini? Write us your verdict in the comments!