We were all shaken up on Sunday 3 October when we witnessed the Moto3 incident at the GP of the Americas. Deniz Oncu changed trajectory along the straight, touching Jeremy Alcoba's front wheel and causing him to crash, which then led Andrea Migno and Pedro Acosta to fall too. Miraculously no one was seriously hurt, but the Stewards Panel decided to intervene and disqualify the Turk from the next two races.
The comparison with Formula 1
A significant penality, but a correct one, considering the gravity of the situation that the Tech3 rider caused in making that move. His manager, Kenan Sofuoglu, five-time Supersport champion as well as mentor to other Turkish riders including Toprak Razgatlioglu, Can Oncu and Bahattin Sofuoglu, has spoken out against the decision. Interviewed by Speedweek, he commented: “The penalty is unfair. Just look at the video, I see manoeuvres that are much more dangerous than Deniz’s. For me, the main reason the riders are complaining about my guys is because they’re fast. They can’t beat them. So they find reasons to complain”.
Sofuoglu has defended his riders behaviour, also referring to F1 to make his point: “We see it in Formula 1 too, the apex of motorsport, with guys like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen who drive very aggressively. To be successful, you have to ride aggressively, it’s part of the sport".
Espargaró says his piece
Aleix Espargaró was quick to respond, commenting on Twitter: “Oh my god… luckily this guy is ‘far’ from the MotoGP paddock!” The Aprilia rider went on to explain: “I'm completely sure, zero doubts, that Oncu didn’t do it on purpose, but they are young so this is why they need to learn. Dorna did the right thing with the penalty to teach him, but his manager has no brain so did the opposite thing”.
To back up his statement, the Spaniard outlined the Turk’s error: “Oncu changed his line in the middle of the straight, moving from the right side (where he have to stay as was the good line for next corner) to the left side where the other rider was and couldn’t disappear”.
Translated by Heather Watson
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