Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

How GM tech accelerated Cadillac's F1 entry

Formula 1
Canadian GP
How GM tech accelerated Cadillac's F1 entry

MotoGP chief defends officiating of Catalan GP

MotoGP
Barcelona Official Testing
MotoGP chief defends officiating of Catalan GP

The F1 power unit formula solution that could suit all parties

Feature
Formula 1
The F1 power unit formula solution that could suit all parties

How Aprilia's Barcelona collapse showed the pressures of leading MotoGP's title race

Feature
MotoGP
Barcelona Official Testing
How Aprilia's Barcelona collapse showed the pressures of leading MotoGP's title race

Title-winning BTCC Peugeot and Harvey in an MG among Touring Car Rewind: North highlights

National
Title-winning BTCC Peugeot and Harvey in an MG among Touring Car Rewind: North highlights

MotoGP Barcelona test: Acosta fastest as rain curtails running early

MotoGP
Barcelona Official Testing
MotoGP Barcelona test: Acosta fastest as rain curtails running early

Why this year's Indy 500 isn't as straightforward to call as you might expect

Feature
IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Why this year's Indy 500 isn't as straightforward to call as you might expect

Will Mercedes or McLaren land the next punch at F1's Canadian GP?

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Will Mercedes or McLaren land the next punch at F1's Canadian GP?

Dovizioso, Hayden: no animosity over last-corner MotoGP Indy clash

Ducati riders Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso say there is no animosity over their last-corner collision in the Indianapolis MotoGP race, despite Dovizioso saying Hayden's pass was 'not safe'

The duo spent most of the race battling for eighth and swapped positions repeatedly before making contact at the final bend on the last lap as Hayden tried to pass down the inside.

As both Ducatis bounced over the high kerbs and onto the venue's oval, Tech 3 Yamaha rider Bradley Smith was able to accelerate past them and steal eighth.

Hayden and Dovizioso were called to race direction afterwards but no action was taken.

Despite highlighting Hayden's 'aggressive' riding, Dovizioso said he preferred not to stoke controversy.

"He wanted to get by me at any cost, using a really aggressive manoeuvre," said the Italian.

"I didn't expect it because I hadn't left the door open.

"Nicky came beside me and we touched, and it certainly wasn't a safe move, but we can say it was a racing incident.

"We were called to race direction because of course it's important to talk about these things and immediately clear them up.

"Honestly, I'm quite annoyed to have lost two positions, and I also wanted to keep Smith behind me.

"Still, there's no sense in creating controversy in a situation like this, so for me it's over."

Hayden admitted the clash was his fault.

"We went back and forth a lot, and then in the last corner on the last lap, we had contact, which was my fault," he said.

"When the door started to close, I was already committed and didn't want him to take out my front wheel."

Ducati announced last month that it will drop Hayden at the end of 2013 after five seasons. Cal Crutchlow will be Dovizioso's new team-mate.

Previous article Indianapolis MotoGP: Marc Marquez wins third straight race
Next article Toby Moody: Crutchlow is what Ducati needs

Top Comments

Latest news