Aleix Espargaro tells Franco Morbidelli to "focus" after Valencia GP grid crash

Aleix Espargaro felt sorry for the crash that left Franco Morbidelli injured, but believes the Italian rider has been involved in far too many incidents in MotoGP this year

Aleix Espargaro has urged Franco Morbidelli to be “more focused” after the VR46 MotoGP rider fractured his hand in their strange crash on the starting grid for the Valencia Grand Prix.

Just moments before the final round of the 2025 season got under way in Spain, Morbidelli clipped the back of Espargaro’s Honda, who had barely stopped in his grid spot after completing a stoppie.

The contact sent the Italian tumbling onto the ground, as a bewildered Espargaro turned to his side to see the Ducati lying on the ground.

Morbidelli managed to remount on his bike and take the start from the pitlane, having originally qualified in seventh place, seven spots ahead of Espargaro. But his race ended after only five laps when he returned to the VR46 garage and retired.

After his early exit, Morbidelli went to see the medical centre, where scans revealed that he had suffered a fracture in his left hand. He has been declared unfit for Tuesday’s post-season Valencia test, meaning he won’t get a chance to ride the GP25 until February’s Sepang test at the earliest.

Espargaro was sympathetic to Morbidelli given the repercussions of the accident, but stressed that he needs to sharpen his concentration, arguing he is “involved in one thing or the other” at every round.

“He didn't see me. I will not blame him,” said the Honda rider. “I feel bad also because he had an injury.

“But he had to be more careful because every weekend one thing or the other happened.”

He added: “I saw him on the floor. I didn't like it at all.

“I’ve always said it can happen at the beginning of the grid when everybody is braking, but not when you are in your place [in the middle of the grid]. I was not P21 that he came with speed; I was P14, so mid-grid.

“You have to be careful. You have to go slow in that place. You have to be super focused. Super focused because we have to do many things: engage things, a lot of buttons. We have to be concentrated and look straight.”

The stewards are yet to issue a verdict on the incident, with Morbidelli having to visit the medical centre for check-ups.

Asked if he deserved a penalty for his actions, Espargaro said: “I don't know. But to me, when your manoeuvre is dangerous, it has to be a penalty.

“He had to be more focused. I feel sorry for him because he had the injury, but he can hurt me a lot.

“I don't care about the penalty, but he needs to be more concentrated because it's not the first time. Every weekend we have something about focus and concentration. He has a big injury in his hand. Hopefully, he can recover quickly.”

Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Morbidelli did not appear for his post-race media debrief and was therefore unable to offer his side of the story.

His team VR46 issued a brief statement after the accident.

“After a crash during the Valencia GP, Franco Morbidelli has been diagnosed with a fracture of the fifth metacarpal of his left hand,” read a statement from VR46. “Franky will miss Tuesday’s test and will not take part today in media activities.”

Espargaro, who was testing a 2026 Honda prototype, retired after just two laps due to the damage his bike sustained in the collision with Morbidelli.

“It's a shame because the bike didn't work at all,” he said. “I also had the exhaust touching my foot. I was a bit angry at the beginning because I couldn't do it [race with a damaged bike].”

Espargaro and Morbidelli have a strained relationship in MotoGP, having been involved in multiple incidents over the last few years.

In last weekend’s Portuguese GP, the former’s brother Pol Espargaro slammed Morbidelli for ‘way too aggressive’ riding.