Moto2: Simoncelli warned over Mugello move

While running on the Tuscan track's long straight at the beginning of the last lap, Simoncelli swerved suddenly to try and prevent rival Hector Barbera from catching his Gilera's slipstream, without noticing that the Spaniard's front wheel was so close to his own rear.

The unprotected front brake lever on the Aprilia clashed with the Italian and sent the former in a high-speed cartwheel that threw Barbera tumbling down the straight and hitting the right-hand side barriers, luckily with no consequences.

Simoncelli, who was not reprimanded by race control, got a verbal warning today at Barcelona after the Riders' Safety Commission met yesterday to discuss the accident, as explained by Rossi.

"Together with the other riders and the race directors we said that it is not permissable to move like this on the straight," said the seven-time champion.

"They gave Simoncelli a warning because if you change line on the straight and touch another guy, it's very dangerous. The other riders, like Loris (Capirossi), (Casey) Stoner and everyone else, were agreed on this. So they spoke to Simoncelli and gave him like a yellow card, a warning.

"After the race they decided it was okay, (but) everybody agreed that they had to speak to Simoncelli. It was important to speak to him in time before the next race.

"It's a problem especially in 125cc and 250cc because in MotoGP with the speed and the downforce it's not possible to change line on the straight."

A similar accident happened in MotoGP at Barcelona two years ago, when the brake lever on Sete Gibernau's Ducati was accidently hit in a clash at the start of the race, sending the Spaniard crashing heavily and breaking his shoulder.

Rossi added that, in order to prevent such accidents from happening, it would be useful if the bike manufacturers build devices to protect the brake levers from being accidently hit in clashes.

"They'll have to speak another time with the manufacturers about the protection of the brake lever," said the Italian.

Stoner, who also takes part in the Safety Commission, was unwilling to comment on the warning.

"We've spoken about things, but I think what's said in there can stay in there," said the Australian. "I'm not really willing to discuss anything that goes on. We don't just talk about one thing, so if you ask me something about safety, we speak about a lot of things and not just one subject."