On Saturday afternoon within the weekend’s third observe session, Espargaro slapped Morbidelli on his crash helmet after the pair got here collectively at Flip 6 whereas the previous was trying an overtake.
Espargaro was handed a six-place grid penalty for the grand prix and a €10,000 high-quality, whereas Morbidelli launched a scathing assault on the Aprilia rider on Saturday night.
Chatting with the media on Sunday, Espargaro mentioned he was “ashamed” of his behaviour, however feels Morbidelli is a repeat offender in getting in riders’ methods on observe, highlighting a number of incidents in Malaysia the week earlier than.
“I mentioned earlier than, [the] very first thing is I am very sorry and ashamed of my outburst for my crew and myself,” Espargaro started.
“Clearly, for those who simply noticed the final a part of the story I absolutely settle for the accountability. It was not my concept to punch him or no matter, it was simply my concept to make him go away.
“It was my mistake, however for my part, it is not truthful simply to look at the final 5 seconds. For me, Franco, it is one 12 months and a half that he’s cruising all world wide on tracks.
“It is his perspective, he has no respect for anyone. Final race it was together with his team-mate, [there was] no penalty.
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Franco Morbidelli, Yamaha Manufacturing facility Racing
“Additionally with Marc, calling him like a canine. Yesterday to me thrice. After he impeded me thrice, I used to be making an attempt to return on observe and he was not permitting me to go within the observe.
“Then I reacted very badly. I am sorry for my response, however I believe it is probably not truthful to guage the final 5 seconds.
“After which the factor that I am extra offended about, and this is not going to end right here, is to the press he talked about my household and my sones.
“And for me, this isn’t truthful, what he did. He went over [the limit]. I am very offended.”
Espargaro suffered a small fracture to his leg in a crash within the dash, which in the end pressured him to tug out of the grand prix in Qatar seven laps in.
Whereas the ache was an issue for him within the warm-up, Espargaro says the true subject was the build-up of blood within the damage space.
“I imply, I’ve a fracture, fairly necessary fracture within the peroneal,” he mentioned.
Picture by: Aprilia Racing
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Group
“The issue isn’t actually the fracture. The issue is that the whole lot is filled with blood, the ligaments, the muscle tissues, the whole lot.
“So, it is like a compartment feeling. I received a bump of medicine to attempt to keep away from the ache as a result of this morning [in warm-up] it was unattainable to experience because of the ache.
“Within the race I did not have ache, however I had no energy on the foot as a result of the whole lot was filled with blood.
“So, my leg was utterly locked and I made a decision to cease within the storage. It was unattainable for me to go up and down in gearing.”
