MotoGP : Rivola suggests Martin's penalty should have been more severe

Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing's boss, suggests Jorge Martin's penalty for a major crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix might be too lenient. Rivola expresses he would have accepted a harsher sanction for Martin, who collided with four riders, including teammate Marco Bezzecchi, at the race's start. Thankfully, all involved escaped serious injury, but the incident ended the race for Martin, Bezzecchi, Fermin Aldeguer, and Raul Fernandez, while Fabio Di Giannantonio managed to finish in 12th.

The stewards handed Martin a double long lap penalty, which he must serve at the next race in Brno. This crash has significant implications for the championship, allowing reigning champion Marc Marquez to close the gap, now trailing Bezzecchi by 72 points and Martin by 52. Rivola places the blame squarely on Martin, calling the incident "difficult to digest." He emphasizes that a rider of Martin's caliber should not make such mistakes and even hints that a stronger penalty would have been justified to prioritize safety. Rivola's comments reflect a serious approach to risk management, highlighting the need for accountability in high-stakes racing situations.