Vinales doubts Marquez clash in qualifying wasn't "on purpose"

The pair made contact around halfway through Saturday's wet qualifying session, after Yamaha's Vinales caught up with the cruising Honda of Marquez at Turn 2.

Vinales ran wide and, as Marquez went alongside him on the inside, Vinales rejoined the racing line, resulting in contact. While both riders stayed on their bikes, Vinales had to abandon his flying lap.

Poleman Marquez later apologised for his move, saying it was a misunderstanding, but Vinales told media he believes "it's hard not to do that on purpose".

"Marc was in the middle of the corner and then he stopped with my bike," said Vinales, who qualified 11th after suffering problems with his Yamaha's electronics in the conditions.

"When exiting Turn 2, Marc wanted to brake on my bike, not to make the turn. It's hard not to do that on purpose.

"It is now clear to me where the limits are. It's a qualifying situation, if I have to do it in the future, I will. If Marquez looks for me, he will not find me."

Pedrosa slams Abraham after practice clash

Earlier in the day, the second works Honda of Dani Pedrosa was involved in an incident with Aspar Ducati's Karel Abraham in third practice, when the Czech rider was going slowly on the racing line trying to pick up a tow.

"I think he’s totally out of his depth," Pedrosa said of Abraham. "He’s often following other riders, and he often annoys the other riders, not just me.

"We have seen he has annoyed several people, and he’s a rider who always has this attitude. Besides, he never says sorry, as if he has done nothing wrong, and pretends he is right.

"I think he has to think more carefully and have a better attitude on track."