Yamaha says Marquez should be questioned about Rossi MotoGP clash
Yamaha's MotoGP managing director Lin Jarvis believes Marc Marquez's actions towards Valentino Rossi have to be questioned following their controversial clash in the Malaysian Grand Prix
Rossi was given three penalty points on his licence for causing a collision with Marquez at Sepang, which will result in him being forced to start the championship-deciding final round at Valencia from the back of the grid.
While Rossi's team boss Jarvis said he would not defend Rossi's actions, he believes Marquez was acting in retaliation to comments made by the championship leader prior to the Malaysian race, where Rossi suggested Marquez was trying to interfere with his title hopes.
Lorenzo: Rossi's penalty inadequate
"The incident on track was the result of at least a couple of races of fierce competition between Marc and Valentino," said Jarvis.
"From the [previous] race in Phillip Island it has led to the accusation Valentino made about Marc's attempt to influence the championship.
"I think what we saw in the race was the revenge of Marc towards Valentino's statements in the media.
"So whilst there was nothing illegal about any single move [by Marquez], you have to see the bigger picture and you have to question the motivation of the style of race and the attempt of Marc to clearly disturb Valentino to the maximum."
Yamaha appealed the decision, which was unanimously rejected by FIM stewards, but Jarvis said it was not in the belief that Rossi was innocent.
"Our job as a team is to defend the interest of our riders," he said.
"So whilst we cannot deny that Valentino's move was not the sort of move we want to see in MotoGP - at the same time we feel the penalty is quite harsh.
"Normally Valentino is not a dirty rider. He is not a rider that creates issues and problems for other people, so as a team we appealed.
"I am not defending his actions - this is why he received the penalty as it was judged that this was not a move within the rules of racing."
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