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MotoGP star would have been branded 'murderer' if he performed rival's dangerous move

MotoGP's Johann Zarco was so shocked by a move performed by a rival driver that he explained what he thinks the fallout would have been like if he tried to do the same thing

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Johann Zarco was shocked by the move performed by Pol Espargaro(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A MotoGP star has claimed hed be branded a murderer if he had done a manoeuvre similar to that of rival Pol Espargaro. During the first practice session at the Malaysian Grand Prix, the Spaniard rejoined the track and was perilously close to Johann Zarcos Ducati after going off at Turn 8. He was adjudged to have rejoined the track unsafely, causing a dangerous situation for another rider.

The 31-year-old was handed a grid penalty as a result but Zarco was left stunned by the risky decision made by his fellow driver. Very close, he said of the run-in. I saw him going wide, but I would not expect him to come back like this. It was a lap that I was trying to do well, and I had to close the gas to avoid him. We could not close the eyes on this thing. Because I know that for this kind of thing some other would describe me like a murderer. Thats why I could not close the eyes on this one. I even got scared for this one.

Espargo meanwhile, was furious with his penalty and claimed he chose to re-enter the track in that manner as hed gone through the entire painted green run-off area and claimed he needed to avoid the grass in order to get back on to the track. Im pretty angry, Espargaro fumed after the session concluded. Because, if you see the image, for sure you can understand the penalty. But there are things going on, why I just went to the track so fast.

READ MORE: MotoGP bikes in near miss with wallaby at Australian Grand Prix

Because the crash is coming! Because in that place it should be green area, close to the kerb, to the end of the kerb, to rejoin the track slowly as in all the other tracks in the world but there was grass completely in one point, so I needed to avoid the grass and go to the track. Thats why I met with Johann. Apart from that, it was the second lap of FP1, which, everyone is trying to feel it out how to ride in this place. Plus, that lap was cancelled for both of us because we were under yellow flags.

So if you consider it all okay, the action was not nice, Im the first one I dont want to do this kind of things, but you need to understand the full situation, the full image of the story. And its the same as always. He wasnt done there as he accused the stewards of not taking enough time to consider his perspective on the incident.

You talk to them, they say yes, then you got out of the room, you enter 30 seconds after, and then they tell you you are penalised," he added. "Its a bad way to rejoin the track but you say okay, you hear what Im saying, or am I just talking to the wall?.

[MotoGP's Johann Zarco was stunned by a risky move pulled by rival Pol Espargaro]

MotoGP's Johann Zarco claimed he'd be branded a 'murderer' if he copied a risky move pulled by a rival driver (Image: @crash_motogp/Twitter)

"They say yes, we hear you but its bad rejoining on the track. Its what it is. They dont know. They are not on a MotoGP bike at this speed.

"So they should listen a little bit more to the riders when we have things to say. And its a complaint that I say, but we all complain in the safety commission about the same thing. They dont hear us.

Zarco went on to finish 15th in the first practice session and Espargaro finishing just behind, while South Africas Brad Binder topped the charts.

READ NEXT:

• MotoGP star Fabio Quartararo's body almost entirely bandaged after devastating crash
• MotoGP star Aleix Espargaro sent flying up in the air as bike gives way at British GP
• MotoGP star wipes out rival one week after he branded him 'most dangerous on track'

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