Max Biaggi, who likes to use metal forks on other people’s non-stick pans, is back in the firing line this week after another member of his team crew has been involved in undesirable pitlane behaviour.
Wait, what happened before?
As we reported here two crew members from Biaggi’s Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Team ended up in an altercation with the KTM rider Adrian Fernandez. The bumbling duo attempted, badly, to stop Fernandez leaving pitlane in qualifying and following their rider Ayumu Sasaki.
So what happened this time?
In Thailand a twitter video emerged of a Moto3 crew member attacking a rider as he came into the pits from the Thai race in 2019. The rider, named subsequently as Tom Booth-Amos, was repeatedly struck by the thuggish mechanic.
Next time our rider says it’s the bike not him!! 😬🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/LADQ53Ad9H
— Steve Brogan (@steve17brogan) September 30, 2022
Why did the video take so long to surface?
Internet upload speeds in Thailand can often be unpredictable.
What did Tom Booth-Amos say?
Worryingly Booth-Amos claimed that the video was just the tip of the iceberg and that no one knew what was going on behind closed doors – a bit like with my ex-wife.
The English rider was desperate to remain in the MotoGP paddock for 2020 so decided not to tell anyone of the abuse he was suffering possibly believing that constant beatings were just part of the game – like public schools in the 80s.
Was Biaggi the team manager when this happened?
No, but the rotten fish doesn’t swim backwards as they say. Probably.
Who’s jumped on the bandwagon?
Many riders, ex-riders and journalists have correctly spoken out against the shocking video – none more so than our very own Sebastian Piffleton who made sure he was publicly and repeatedly the most offended person ever. This, in his eyes, made the incident about him too.
So who was the offending crew member in the video?
The maniac mechanic can’t be named. But if he could be then we’d reckon his name would be Maurizio Cambarau.
What job is he doing this season?
Maurizio Cambarau, who can’t be named, is currently the crew chief for Moto3 journeyman John McPhee. Now if Maurizio was that upset with Tom Booth-Amos then one can only imagine his inner rage given John’s season-long catalogue of disappointment.
This could also explain why McPhee constantly has a face like a septic bladder of a burst bagpipe…either that or its his teammate making him look silly.
What has Biaggi said?
Not much so far. However Max was apparently so angered and hot-headed when he saw the video that the bonding agent that holds his hairpiece in place began to melt into his inner-ear causing temporary balance issues.
So what’s happened to Maurizio Cambarau?
The unnamed Maurizio Cambarau has been sacked.
Horrah! Justice wins through!
Not quite. FIM, Dorna and the teams’ association (IRTA) all ganged up on Biaggi threatening to publicly de-wig him if the crew chief wasn’t sacked. Max begrudgingly conformed and fired the Cambarau…however this won’t happen until after the Malaysian round on the 26th October.
Hang on. Doesn’t firing somewhen when it’s most practical for the team make a mockery of the incident?
Yes and no. But mainly yes.
Tom Booth-Amos is a funny name isn’t it?
It sure is. Double-barrelled surnames are usually reserved in the UK for the inbred elites. We’re not sure if this is the case for Tom’s family but if they own a Range Rover and tweed clothing then they’re probably interrelated.
Funny names are great. What’s another motorsport example of a funny name?
NASCAR currently owns the most amusing name in motorsport with their late, great driver Dick Trickle. Trickle, whose name could also be a worrying medical symptom, clearly had parents that didn’t want him or had no common sense.