Marquez: Yamaha “cheated” – and the riders knew it
Honda rider Alex Marquez claims Yamaha “cheated” and the riders knew the engines they used in the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix were illegal.
Yamaha was docked 50 constructors' points on Thursday after an FIM investigation found the Japanese marque had used engines fitted with non-homologated valves for the Spanish GP in July.
The penalty has not impacted any of Yamaha’s three championship contenders in Franco Morbidelli, Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales, but some – including Suzuki boss Davide Brivio – have said a Yamaha title win would cast a “shadow” over the season.
Yamaha insists the valves it used were not of a different design to those it had homologated pre-season, and that this infringement was an “internal oversight”, while Morbidelli, Quartararo and Vinales have all denied they knew their Spanish GP engines were illegal.
But Honda rider Marquez says he doesn’t buy this, and also believes the other Yamaha riders knew what was going on.
“What is clear at the end is that they have cheated or have not been within the regulations,” Marquez said of Yamaha.
On the riders' claims they were not aware of any transgressions, he added: “The excuse of 'I did not know' exists [but] at all times the factory is very open and you know what engine you are using.
“You know everything, you are up to date. As a rider you are always watching when they install an engine or store it, always you are aware of what you are using.”
Dovizioso doesn’t understand Yamaha ruling
Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso admits “I don’t understand” the ruling handed down to Yamaha, and is equally perplexed at why the other manufacturers accepted the punishment.
The points docked from Yamaha’s constructors’ championship are only from the Spanish GP, which Quartararo won.
Given Dovizioso would have been promoted from third to first at the Spanish GP had Yamaha been disqualified from the Spanish GP, it would have strengthened Ducati’s hopes of winning the 2020 title.
“That's what I don't understand,” Dovizioso, who is 28 points off the championship lead with three rounds to go. “I'm not understanding the strategy of the various manufacturers, which seem to have agreed not to go against [the ruling].
“I don't know all the details, so I don't want to sentence, but it seems very strange to me.”
Vinales should start remaining races from pitlane - Rins
Have the wheels come off Yamaha’s MotoGP title bid?
Nissan impressed by Baguette's progression through 2022
Nissan says new SUPER GT signing Bertrand Baguette performed "much better" towards the end of his title-winning 2022 campaign than he did at the start following his off-season move from Honda.
Bentleys rejoin Australian GT grid
The Bentley marque will return to the GT World Challenge Australia grid for the season finale in Adelaide this week.
Energy X-Prix: Hamilton’s X44 team snatches Extreme E title as Abt wins finale
Lewis Hamilton’s X44 squad clinched the Extreme E title in a highly-eventful season finale, as Abt Cupra took a maiden win in the Energy X-Prix in Uruguay.
Gran Turismo hopeful of FIA partnership, bigger World Series events in 2023
On the eve of the Gran Turismo World Series Nations Cup World Final, gaming series producer Kazunori Yamauchi clarified its current relationship with the FIA and its virtual motorsport plans for next season.
Was the MotoGP 2022 title won by Bagnaia or lost by Quartararo?
Reigning MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo had a 91-point lead over rival Francesco Bagnaia after the German Grand Prix, a seemingly impregnable gap to overcome in the remaining 10 races. But as the Frenchman struggled for pace with his Yamaha, Bagnaia stormed back into contention and swept to Ducati's first riders' title since 2007
Why there's more to Honda's 2023 MotoGP bike than the Valencia test suggests
After a run on Honda's 2023 prototype MotoGP bike, six-time champion Marc Marquez made his pessimism clear with his initial reaction. But the Japanese marque has made leadership changes behind closed doors - and a more representative bike promised for the Malaysia test in February could placate Marquez.
Why new MotoGP champion Bagnaia has a stronger character than it seems
While new MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia might not be the loudest rider on the grid, his calm exterior belies a steely backbone. His part in turning around Ducati's fortunes at the start of the year, when displeased with a new engine concept, shows the strength of his character.
Why Bagnaia's MotoGP triumph is as worthy as Stoner's Ducati breakthrough
OPINION: Despite the superiority exhibited by the Ducati in 2022, the context in which Francesco Bagnaia became MotoGP world champion means that both the rider and the Italian marque merit the same recognition that the brand and Casey Stoner received after their 2007 title
Why the 2022 MotoGP season had a bittersweet ending
OPINION: MotoGP’s fifth last round showdown of the modern era delivered a tense finale despite the predictable outcome, as Francesco Bagnaia ended 15 years of pain for Ducati. But as emotions ran high for the Italian marque, a final victory for a departing Japanese rival tinged the campaign’s conclusion with sadness.
Why the 2023 MotoGP title battle has already begun
Since Ducati announced the arrival of Enea Bastianini to its factory team for 2023, the staging of the four-time race winner has strained the atmosphere within the Italian manufacturer, which has raised its guard in anticipation of what may happen between him and championship favourite Francesco Bagnaia.
Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future
Yamaha's decision to dispense pre-season with the 2022 engine it had intended to use due to lack of reliability, the promises of improvement to Fabio Quartararo and the advance with which the rider market moves leaves the Japanese brand with less than six months to prevent the Frenchman from starting to look for a way out
The war brewing as Ducati nears its ultimate MotoGP prize
OPINION: Francesco Bagnaia has put one hand firmly on the 2022 MotoGP world title after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix, and the permutations are weighted heavily in his favour heading to the Valencia finale. But as Ducati stands on the cusp of something it has longed for since 2007, the Sepang race also hinted towards a future problem…