PIC: Lorenzo engine fears after Assen accident

Saturday's Assen accident could end up costing Jorge Lorenzo even more than the 25-points he conceded to title rival Casey Stoner.

Lorenzo and Stoner are now level on points after Lorenzo was wiped out by Alvaro Bautista at turn one of Saturday's race, while Stoner went on to victory.

But as Lorenzo's damaged bike lay in the gravel a huge cloud of smoke was emitted (pictured), prompting concerns that the engine will need to be replaced.

MotoGP limits each rider to six new engines throughout the season. The penalty of breaking the limit is a pit lane start with a 10 second delay, at the event where a new engine is first used.

Lorenzo has suggested he may be allowed to replace the damaged engine, since the accident was no fault of his own and Bautista has been punished by Race Direction, but there is nothing in the rule book to allow such a concession.