The 2025 Czech Grand Prix at Brno was a spectacle of high-octane racing, but it was also marred by a contentious incident that has sent shockwaves through the MotoGP paddock. On Lap 2 of the race, a dramatic collision between Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez and Honda’s Joan Mir ended both riders’ hopes of a strong finish, sparking a heated debate over responsibility and penalties. The FIM MotoGP stewards’ decision to impose a Long Lap penalty on Marquez for the next race in Austria has drawn sharp criticism from the Gresini team, culminating in a bold statement that has ignited discussions across the sport.

The incident occurred at Turn 12 on the second lap of the 21-lap race. Marquez, starting from eighth on the grid, was eager to make up positions early in the race. As he closed in on Mir, who had qualified a season-best fifth, Marquez misjudged his approach, losing the front end of his Ducati and sliding into the rear of Mir’s Honda. The collision sent both riders crashing out, marking Mir’s eighth DNF in the first 12 rounds of the season and further denting Marquez’s slim championship aspirations. The stewards, after a post-race investigation, deemed Marquez’s move irresponsible, citing it as the cause of the crash and issuing the Long Lap penalty to be served at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Marquez, however, offered a candid explanation, insisting the crash was not an overtaking attempt gone wrong. Speaking to MotoGP.com, he clarified that he was merely positioning himself to evaluate a potential pass on the following lap. “I was trying to calculate the move for the next lap, so I went halfway. I went too deep and lost the front, causing his crash,” Marquez admitted. He accepted the mistake but urged for calm in races starting from lower grid positions, reflecting on the need for better decision-making in high-pressure situations. Despite his apology, the Gresini team was far from satisfied with the stewards’ ruling, particularly in light of what they perceived as inconsistent penalties across the season.

The Gresini team’s frustration was compounded by their belief that the penalty failed to address the broader context of the incident. Team boss Michele Masini, in a statement that reverberated through the MotoGP community, expressed dismay not only at the penalty imposed on Marquez but also at the lack of accountability for Mir’s role in the incident. The team argued that Mir’s slower pace on the Honda, which struggles with straight-line speed compared to the Ducati, created a dangerous dynamic in the braking zone. “We respect the stewards’ process, but we believe the full circumstances of the crash were not adequately considered,” Masini stated. “The speed differential between the bikes put Alex in a difficult position, and to place the entire blame on him feels unjust. We stand by our rider and call for a fairer assessment of such incidents in the future.”

This statement has sparked a firestorm of reactions. Some in the paddock view Gresini’s comments as a bold defense of their rider, while others see it as an attempt to deflect responsibility from Marquez’s error. Joan Mir, offering his perspective, dismissed notions of bad luck, instead pointing to the performance gap between his Honda and the faster bikes behind him. “We’re fighting against bikes that go 5-10km/h faster on the straight. You arrive in the braking zone inferior, and if the guy behind is too optimistic, this can happen,” Mir said. His comments subtly suggested that Marquez’s ambition outstripped caution, a sentiment echoed by some fans and analysts who believe the penalty was warranted.

The controversy has also reignited discussions about stewarding consistency in MotoGP. The Gresini team’s statement hinted at perceived disparities in how penalties are applied, particularly when compared to other incidents this season. For instance, a similar collision between Marquez and Mir at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2024 resulted in a Long Lap penalty for Marquez, a decision that also drew scrutiny. Gresini’s outspoken stance has put pressure on the FIM stewards to clarify their decision-making process, with many calling for greater transparency to maintain the sport’s integrity.

Adding fuel to the fire, the incident has overshadowed an otherwise triumphant weekend for Gresini’s sister team, Ducati Lenovo, with Marc Marquez securing his fifth consecutive Grand Prix victory. The elder Marquez’s dominance, contrasted with Alex’s misfortune, has only amplified the spotlight on Gresini’s grievances. The team’s bold statement has also drawn attention to their overall performance, with both Alex Marquez and teammate Fermín Aldeguer receiving penalties at Brno—Marquez for the Mir crash and Aldeguer for an irresponsible maneuver on Miguel Oliveira. This double blow has left Gresini heading into the summer break with a sense of frustration.

As MotoGP heads to Austria, the fallout from the Czech GP collision continues to dominate conversations. Alex Marquez, now 120 points behind his brother in the championship, faces the challenge of serving his penalty while aiming to regain momentum. Meanwhile, Gresini’s provocative statement has set the stage for a broader debate about fairness, safety, and the complexities of racing at the highest level. With the paddock divided and fans buzzing, the sport braces for what promises to be a contentious second half of the 2025 season.