Aspar’s Eugene Laverty was well inside the points going into the final lap of the MotoGP race at the Red Bull Ring, and was challenging for a place inside the top ten. But he clashed on track with
Octo Pramac’s Danilo Petrucci, and crashed on the final corner. Now the Italian has now been penalized three grid positions in the next race and has one penalty point added to his record for his part in the incident.
In the statement from the MotoGP stewards panel it was considered that Petrucci’s ‘irresponsible riding’ caused Laverty to crash. They went on to state that it was an: “infringement of Article 1.21.2 of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.”
The stewards panel also added to Petrucci: “The MotoGP Stewards Panel has decided to impose on you a grid penalty of 3 positions for your next event and the addition of 1 Penalty Points to your record, according to Article 3.2.1. of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Disciplinary and Arbitration Code.”
Laverty did walk away from the crash and appeared uninjured at the track side. Petrucci has since apologised for the incident.
"First of all I want to apologize to Eugene for hitting him. I did not want to pass him, I was just trying to attack, but I lost the front and I had to leave the brakes. I'm really sorry," said the Italian.
More on this story when we get it.