Espargaro’s first words on Morbidelli clash: “Bad reaction, sanction too much"

The Aprilia rider ended Saturday at the Qatar MotoGP with a fractured fibula due to a collision with Miguel Oliveira, and €10,000 out of pocket for slapping Morbidelli on the helmet.

Morbidelli insisted that the FIM Stewards’ decision to fine Espargaro, and hit him with a six-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race (if he is passed fit to compete) is not enough.

Espargaro disagreed.

He said via social media, according to AS: “A bad day, here I am with my leg up. 

“The truth is that it has been a day to forget.

“First with the incident with Morbidelli, in which I obviously had a very bad reaction. 

“He was walking around the track, I almost crashed twice for going in the middle of the track. 

“Then he wouldn't let me get back on the track and I lost my temper, obviously, with a totally excessive reaction. 

“And that's why I received a sanction. From my point of view it is too much, but I accept it because the image is not good.”

Morbidelli angrily accused Espargaro of “disrespect”.

• Raging Morbidelli lambasts Espargaro’s slap: “We all think he has a problem”

Espargaro addressed the clash with Oliveira in the sprint race which resulted in both riders emerging with injuries.

“In the race I had a very good pace,” he said.

“We had a good weekend, but starting from behind there can always be trouble. 

“Oliveira hit me very, very hard in Turn 6 and I went flying. 

“I have had a fissure in the head of my fibula that now hurts a lot. 

“These are things that can happen. 

“This year Miguel has been thrown quite a few times, but today he threw me. 

“He has apologised to me. He also has damage.

“The situation in general makes me feel bad and it's a shame. 

“I will try to sleep today and try tomorrow, but it will be difficult because it hurts a lot, but tomorrow we will see how I wake up.”