Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP fans all agree that LCR Honda pilot Johann Zarco deserved his double long lap penalty for the crash in the 2026 Catalan Grand Prix that resulted in his major injuries.
Zarco has been absent since May’s visit to Barcelona, after suffering damage to his left knee that was initially expected to require surgery. The 35-year-old no longer needs an operation, however, after recent checks revealed a more positive diagnosis compared to the initial MRI.
At first, it was feared that Zarco sustained injuries to his medial collateral, posterior cruciate and anterior cruciate ligaments. His leg got stuck under the seat unit on Francesco Bagnaia’s Ducati after an incident with Honda’s Luca Marini at Turn 1 on the restart of the Catalan GP.
But while Zarco has indeed torn his ACL, recent checks have revealed that his MCL and PCL are healing well without the need for surgery. However, it still remains to be seen when or whether Zarco will race again, and he now has to serve a double long lap upon any return.
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MotoGP fans agree that Johann Zarco deserved a penalty for his Catalan Grand Prix crash
MotoGP confirmed on Thursday that Zarco’s crash in the Catalan GP has drawn the LCR star a double long lap penalty for the next Grand Prix he starts. Usually, MotoGP prefers to wait for a rider to return from an injury before ruling on a penalty, but Zarco’s return is unclear.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Johann Zarco from career stats to net worth
Yet while Zarco’s penalty may seem like a brutal welcome back upon his eventual return, an array of MotoGP fans admit the LCR Honda rider’s punishment fitted the crime for his crash in the Catalan GP. A MotoGP fan even simply said on Reddit: “He caused it, it was his fault.”
Another MotoGP fan reacted on Reddit to Zarco’s penalty by noting: “It is easy to get misty-eyed considering his professional career is likely over for good. Rules are the rules, they did the same to Martin in his eventual return.”
One MotoGP fan also referenced how Zarco admits Alex Marquez’s crash in the Catalan GP was on his mind when the Frenchman crashed into Marini and Bagnaia at the restart. KTM rider Pedro Acosta’s bike had abruptly stopped, and Marquez was helpless to avoid a crash.
The fan noted: “I know this may sound harsh (and somewhat absurd, given everything he’s been through), but it was indeed his mistake that caused the pile-up. We need to separate the action itself from the aftermath. Based on the action alone, I would say he’s penalised accordingly. Otherwise, it could set a precedent for handling similar incidents in the future.”
Another fan claimed: “It is perfectly reasonable. It should not matter that he unfortunately suffered at his own mistake, as ultimately he made the mistake and it’s the rules. As long as it is consistent, that is the correct and fair approach. I hope he recovers well.”
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One fan also said: “I’ve watched it again, and it is clearly his error of judgement that caused the accident. Definitely, he came out the worst of the people that were involved.
“But he, himself, said he was not in the right mindset (thinking of Alex’s wellbeing) while taking the restart. Zarco got penalised for his mistake, and this seems fair. I love Zarco, [and] hope he comes back as fit as ever.”
A MotoGP fan also said: “The double long lap is pretty standard for causing a collision that takes someone out. I saw the stewards’ doc and the reasoning was solid. They basically said he lost the front and couldn’t avoid running into Martin.
“What gets me is how the rules apply no matter who you are. The sport does not really do sympathy passes, which is probably the right call long-term, even if it feels cold.”
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