Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez was clearly raging with his last-lap penalty in the Thailand Grand Prix Sprint race, but Luigi Dall’Igna was quick to shut down his protests.
The Ducati rider qualified P2 in Buriram and inherited the lead in the Sprint after Marco Bezzecchi crashed out in the early stages. Marquez soon found himself battling with Pedro Acosta, who took the lead from his fellow compatriot.
The KTM rider held his own until Marquez attempted a late lunge at the final corner on the penultimate lap, sending Acosta off the track. Race direction penalised the Ant of Cervera, who was forced to drop a position and hand Acosta his first MotoGP win.
Was Marc Marquez’s dig at Pedro Acosta really necessary?
Acosta told reporters in Thailand that 'it wasn't a one-day [championship] lead like Marc said'.
The penalty immediately sparked controversy and debate as to whether it was a fair decision. Many fans did not agree with Marquez’s penalty, calling it a ‘great move’ from the Ducati rider.
But on the other side of the argument, Neil Hodgson backed Marquez’s penalty. He believed the move was not on and that he had come into the corner too far back to pass Acosta.
Luigi Dall’Igna shut down Marc Marquez’s protests after the Thailand GP Sprint
Marquez said he was content with P2 immediately after the race, but his frustration with the penalty was clear. He was seen sarcastically clapping towards the stewards as he came down the main straight.
Stepping off his GP26, the 33-year-old took off his helmet and instantly expressed his fury over the decision to Dall’Igna. The Ducati chief tried his best to calm his rider down.
A behind-the-scenes video from Ducati’s YouTube channel showed the pair’s exchange. Marquez first exclaimed: “I was in front! I was in front!” with Dall’Igna responding: “You didn’t touch him and you stayed on the track.”
Marquez again stated: “I was in front,” and Dall’Igna again came back: “Yes, but you also stayed on the track.” The Spaniard would not back down from his frustration, as he then said: “He was overtaking me… if I stay outside… I go outside.”
Dall’Igna continued to calm his rider down: “If you were outside, Marc… they were right. But you stayed inside. You took the line and closed the corner.” Marquez then once again said: “My bike was already in front,” before the Ducati boss shut him down: “Alright, come on. We had a great race.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend
Was the Thailand GP the first bit of conflict between 2027 teammates Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta?
Marquez and Acosta gave fans a great battle in Thailand all weekend, and it was perhaps a sign of things to come in 2027. Rumours are suggesting that Acosta is Ducati-bound and will link up with the nine-time champion next year.
Many have been drawing comparisons between the two riders, with the KTM star being backed as the next big name in MotoGP. Acosta wants to be a world champion, and many think pairing him with Marquez will cause conflict.
Will Pedro Acosta reach the same heights in MotoGP as Marc Marquez?
So much so that Hodgson thinks Marquez should seek an exit clause in his new Ducati contract. If Acosta is ‘amazing’ and a real threat to the 33-year-old, then he thinks he should look to move on.
The Thailand GP was the first taste of such conflict between the two riders. Although they do show great respect for one another, as seen with Acosta’s classy gesture to Marquez and Ducati after the Sprint.
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