• Espargaro’s first words on Morbidelli clash: “Bad𝔉 reaction, sanction too🦩 much"

The Aprilia rider was hit with a six-place grid demotion and a €10🌸,000 fine for slapping Franco Morbide🌜lli on the helmet on Saturday.

But he later fractured his fibulia, ending Saturday with his leg in plaster, leading to doubts he could even the ꧑Qatar MotoGP.

The wording of his penalty confused matters. It appeared his grid penalty would specifically relate to the race in Qatar, and would not carry over to the next race that he is fit to comꦡpete in.

But a limping Espargaro confirmed that he was able to race afte🍷r baꦰttling through the warm-up.

Starting from 16th on the grid, he tookﷺ part in the early stages of the rac꧒e before heading into the pits, where he retired early, with 15 laps remaining.

It ends any debate over his grid penalty, which wa🃏s served.

A nightmare weekend for Espaꦗrgaro concluded early.