Race direction imposes penalty on Álvaro Bautista for first corner crash at Assen
After Álvaro Bautista crashed out in the first corner at Assen, collecting Jorge Lorenzo in the process, the Yamaha team immediately lodged an appeal with race direction which investigated the incident. Race direction then came to the conclusion that Bautista was riding in an irresponsible manner and therefore ruled that he will have to start the next race – the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring on June 8th – from the last position on the grid, regardless of his qualifying result. The Gresini team appealed the decision, but the FIM Stewards confirmed the penalty which is therefore final.
Below you can read the complete press release which can also be found here [PDf file].
On Saturday 30 June 2012 during the first lap of the MotoGP race rider Alvaro Bautista (SPA) rode in an irresponsible manner, causing danger to rider Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) which is an infringement to the article N. 1.21.2 of the 2012 FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix regulations.
The Race Direction decided to impose on Alvaro Bautista the penalty of starting the next race in Sachsenring on 8 July 2012 from the last position on the starting grid.
An appeal was lodged by San Carlo Honda Gresini.
The FIM Stewards confirmed the decision of the Race Direction.
The decision of FIM Stewards is final.
Source: FIM
