Franco Morbidelli Slams Penalty for Dangerous Riding

Franco Morbidelli was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Enea Bastianini on Friday at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The incident occurred when Morbidelli, on a slow lap, got in Bastianini's way at Turn 12.

Enea Bastianini was forced to take avoiding action, which thwarted his flying lap.

The FIM stewards investigated the incident and ultimately decided to impose the penalty on Morbidelli.

This is not the first time Morbidelli has been criticized for his slow riding on the racing line.

Bastianini branded Morbidelli's actions "dangerous" and expressed his frustration.

Morbidelli will serve his penalty in the grand prix, rather than Saturday's sprint.

He narrowly missed out on a direct Q2 place, finishing 11th in Practice.

Bastianini told the official MotoGP website that he hopes to see a different Franco in the future.

He emphasized that Morbidelli's riding style is a concern, as he often remains on the line without checking for riders behind him.

Morbidelli acknowledged the incident and said he impeded Bastianini and got penalized.

This incident comes after a 2025 campaign in which Morbidelli's on-track transgressions forced the stewards into firmer action.

The Italian's MotoGP future looks uncertain as the season nears its summer break.

His space at VR46 is under threat from World Superbike's current dominator Nicolo Bulega.

Morbidelli has drawn criticism from several riders over the years, including Aleix Espargaro.

The FIM stewards warned Morbidelli that any more incidents would lead to harsher penalties, including a possible pitlane start or race ban.

On 18 June, Morbidelli will face the consequences of his actions.

He finished 11th in Practice, while Bastianini secured a place directly in Q2, finishing eighth.

The Dutch Grand Prix will be a crucial test for Morbidelli, as he looks to redeem himself.

But for now, he faces a penalty and criticism from his rivals, which could impact his future in MotoGP.

The incident has sparked a heated debate about rider safety and on-track behavior.

Morbidelli's actions have been deemed "dangerous" by Bastianini, and the FIM stewards have taken action to address the issue.

As the season progresses, Morbidelli will need to adapt his riding style to avoid further incidents.

The pressure is on, and he will need to perform well to secure his place in MotoGP.

The Dutch Grand Prix will be an exciting event, with several riders vying for the top spot.

But for Morbidelli, it's not just about the race-it's about redeeming himself and proving his worth in MotoGP.