Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez will still serve his double long lap penalty despite getting injured at the weekend’s season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix.
The Honda rider was penalised for causing a crash which took out Miguel Oliveira and Jorge Martin in Portimao, with the initial suggestion being that the Spaniard would only serve his penalty at this weekend’s Argentina Grand Prix.
Marquez will however miss the race in Termas de Rio Hondo after undergoing surgery on his injured hand from his crash in the previous race.
International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), motorcycle racing’s governing body, has clarified Marquez will serve his penalty whenever he returns to the race track.
“Considering the injury and non-participation of MotoGP rider Marc Marquez at the Argentina GP, the double long lap penalty shall be served in the next MotoGP race in which he will be able to participate,” read an FIM statement.
Clarification on application of the penalty from the Stewards panel ????
"Considering the injury and non-participation of #MotoGP rider @marcmarquez93 at the #ArgentinaGP, the double long lap penalty shall be served in the next MotoGP race in which he will be able to participate"
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) March 28, 2023
Marquez could serve his penalty in the third race of the 2023 season at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin on April 14 should he recover in time.
He will be the fourth rider to miss the action in Argentina this weekend after Oliveira, Enea Bastianini and Pol Espargaro.
