The opening day of the 2025 MotoGP season at the Thailand Grand Prix was marred by a controversial incident involving Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia and Yamaha’s Franco Morbidelli. The altercation has drawn sharp criticism from MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, who has expressed his disapproval of the riders’ conduct during practice.

During the final minutes of the first practice session at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Bagnaia was on a fast lap aiming to secure a direct spot in Q2. As he approached the final sector, he encountered Morbidelli, who was riding slowly on the racing line, inadvertently obstructing Bagnaia’s lap. This obstruction led to Bagnaia’s lap time being deleted due to yellow flags, a decision that left the Ducati rider visibly frustrated. Bagnaia expressed his displeasure, stating, “I’m more angry at the race direction than with Franky. They threw a yellow flag without any reason and admitted the mistake, but they didn’t want to give me back the time.” 

Valentino Rossi, a mentor to both Bagnaia and Morbidelli through the VR46 Riders Academy, did not hold back in his criticism. Rossi emphasized the importance of professionalism and respect among riders, especially those from the same academy. He remarked, “Such incidents are unacceptable. In our academy, we teach riders to respect each other and the sport. What happened today was a clear lack of respect and professionalism.”

Morbidelli, acknowledging the mistake, apologized to Bagnaia. He stated, “I didn’t mean to impede Pecco. It was an unfortunate situation. I have already apologized to him, and I hope we can move past this incident.” Despite the apology, race control imposed a three-place grid penalty on Morbidelli for the upcoming Grand Prix, citing the obstruction during practice.

The incident has sparked discussions about rider etiquette and the role of mentors in guiding young talent. Rossi’s criticism highlights the expectations placed on riders within the VR46 Academy to uphold high standards both on and off the track. The altercation serves as a reminder of the intense pressure and scrutiny MotoGP riders face, not only from fans and media but also from their peers and mentors.

As the MotoGP season progresses, the incident at the Thai GP serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect in the paddock. The actions of Bagnaia and Morbidelli will undoubtedly be scrutinized, and both riders will be expected to demonstrate growth and maturity in their conduct moving forward.

For fans and observers, this episode underscores the complex dynamics of professional motorcycle racing, where split-second decisions and interpersonal relationships can significantly impact a rider’s career and the sport’s integrity.