Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli apologised on Thursday for a French Grand Prix collision that left Spaniard Dani Pedrosa nursing a broken collarbone and out of this weekend’s Catalunya race.
The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) said in a statement that the Honda Gresini rider had met officials at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya to discuss the May 15 Le Mans incident and his ride-through penalty there. Simoncelli said after the race that any other rider would have escaped a penalty.
“The Race Direction informed Simoncelli that they wished to ensure that he was aware of his mistake and to avoid any repetition in the future,” the FIM said.
“Simoncelli responded that in the interval after the French Grand Prix he had had time for reflection and regretted the statements he had made in the heat of the moment immediately after the Grand Prix.
“He also recognised that he had made an error of judgment and stated that in future he would try to evaluate situations better and be a little more cautious.”
Simoncelli was criticised by rivals at Le Mans for his aggressive riding style.
The Italian is eighth in the championship after four races.
Pedrosa said on Wednesday he would miss his home race to rest and let the injury heal properly.
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