JAKARTA - LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco launched a sharp criticism of Marc Marquez's victory in the Spanish GP sprint race at the Jerez Circuit, Saturday, April 25. Zarco assessed that Marquez should have been given a penalty for a controversial maneuver towards the pitlane.
The incident occurred during the MotoGP class sprint race at the Spanish GP at the Jerez Circuit, when Marquez, who defended the Ducati factory team, fell five laps before the finish. He then got up, crossed the grass area at turn 13, and immediately went to the pit to change the bike with a wet tire setting.
Despite having an accident, Marquez was still able to finish ahead with a lead of more than three seconds. However, his action cut the track at the last corner triggered a debate.
The stewards of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) have investigated the incident, but decided that Marquez did not break the rules so he was not punished.
Zarco, who started the race from second but finished in eighth, believes Marquez's victory should not have been ratified.
"He shouldn't have won the race because when he crashed at the last corner, it meant he had already decided not to go to the pit," Zarco said as quoted from an interview with the French television channel, Canal+.
The French racer assessed that Marquez took advantage by going against the direction on the circuit. Zarco said that Marquez's action to escape punishment felt strange to him.
"So if he's in turn 13 and then back to the pit, that means he's moving backwards, and you're not allowed to move backwards on the track. If he doesn't get a penalty, it's frankly very strange," said Zarco.
Zarco also insinuated that luck was the main factor in the incident.
"People might say he understands the rules better than anyone, but I don't think so. He's just very lucky," he said.
Meanwhile, Marquez admitted that he made a mistake by staying too long with the slick tire on the changing track conditions. However, he also explained that the handlebars of his motorcycle were damaged after the accident, forcing him to enter the pit.
However, Marquez did not go against the flow of traffic when he returned to the track and entered the pitlane. This is one of the reasons why the FIM did not impose sanctions.
Zarco still insists that Marquez's decision to continue before finally going into the pit after falling should not be justified.
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