At the start of the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, Spanish riders Joan Mir and Álex Márquez were involved in an unfortunate collision that ended their race aspirations. The collision occurred just on the first lap, when Márquez’s bike, number ’73’, hit the rear of Mir’s, number ’36’, just entering turn 11. Both bikes were caught in the gravel, making it impossible for the riders to continue. This accident not only cut short their chances of scoring points at a circuit as important as Motegi, but also triggered a heated controversy between the two Spaniards. While Mir showed his frustration, accusing Márquez of lack of control and anticipation, Álex tried to defend himself, claiming that it was an unfortunate incident rather than an intentional mistake.
Joan Mir's anger
After the collision with Álex Márquez, Joan Mir did not hide his anger. The Mallorcan, who had started from 17th position and managed to advance several positions in the first lap, saw his aspirations frustrated after the incident. Mir did not hesitate to express his displeasure, criticizing the action of his compatriot and asking Race Direction to take action: ‘I’m pissed off. I think he needs to think a bit more on a bike like this. I think this is not fair at all, let’s see what Race Direction says, because I think they have not yet pronounced with the trip that has given me from behind, which has not hurt me by miracle. It seems that here, it’s free to ruin other people’s races‘.
Álex Márquez sanctioned
After the collision between Joan Mir and Álex Márquez, the incident was put under investigation without taking an immediate decision, which caused the discomfort of Mir, who considered that the accident was clear. Finally, a penalty was imposed on Marquez, who will have to perform a ‘long lap‘ during the next race in Australia as punishment for causing the incident.
The Cervera rider gave no statements to the press, but issued a statement in which he explained what happened: ‘I made a mistake in turn 11 that made me go a little off the line. And in the attempt to get back to my position I touched Mir, which made me crash. Our bikes got stuck and I apologize to him for leaving him out of the race.‘ Despite acknowledging his mistake, Marquez was not happy with the penalty and recalled the previous week’s incident in Indonesia, in which Jack Miller took him out of the race along with Luca Marini and Aleix Espargaro, without receiving a penalty. ‘I will have to do a ‘long lap’, even if I don’t agree. Seven days ago, at Turn 3, another rider touched me in the same way and nothing was done. It shows that the rules are not the same for everyone, but we will make a virtue out of reason,‘ Márquez concluded.
