Quartararo penalised after second consecutive clash with MotoGP track marshals

Fabio Quartararo’s frustration boiled over again at Le Mans after crashing out of the French Grand Prix, leading to a confrontation with track marshals – his second in as many race weekends – which resulted in a penalty to be served at the next round at Silverstone.

The Frenchman seemed poised for a potential podium challenge at his home race, especially given the progress Yamaha appears to have made, but in a chaotic, rain-hit race Quartararo crashed out and was furious with both the circumstances and the officials.

Quartararo was running second behind Marc Marquez when he crashed at the final corner on lap four, struggling for grip on slick tyres as rain began to fall. The race was won by fellow French rider Johann Zarco, with Marquez coming home in second.

Knowing anything could happen in such unpredictable conditions, the 2021 world champion rushed to retrieve his bike and to rejoin the race. However, the marshals holding the bike refused to let him continue, leading to a heated exchange.

Though the live TV feed didn’t capture the incident, fans did, with videos circulating on social media of Quartararo angrily confronting the marshals before storming off in visible frustration.

Quartararo has been penalised with a 10-minute suspension from the British GP’s opening practice session following an incident at Le Mans and given a €2,000 fine.

Post-race, the FIM stewards handed him a penalty for “irresponsible behaviour and failure to follow the direct instructions of track marshals, thereby putting himself and others at risk,” according to an official statement.

Article 1.21.4 of the sporting regulations allows marshals to assist riders by holding the bike or helping restart it if stalled, but the rule stops short of mandating such intervention.

“Marshals may assist the rider in lifting and holding the bike while repairs or adjustments are made,” the regulation notes. “Thereafter, the rider may be assisted to rejoin the race by pushing the machine or moving it alongside the track or in the service lane.”

The incident marks the second consecutive round in which Quartararo has clashed with marshals.

At Jerez two weeks earlier, he had a similar altercation after crashing in the final moments of Friday’s second practice session, which determined direct Q2 qualifiers.

While that exchange ended with only a verbal dispute, the Le Mans fallout led to disciplinary action – a sign that the FIM has little tolerance for emotional outbursts at marshals.