Miller gets grid penalty for impeding Quartararo

Jack Miller has been issued a grid penalty for impeding Fabio Quartararo in Qualifying 2 at the Gran Premio Michelin De La Republica Argentina.

The Queenslander had finished the session 11th-fastest after a crash at the start of his second flying lap at Termas de Rio Hondo, but has been penalised three positions on the grid for Sunday’s (local time) race.

With the #43 Ducati Lenovo Team entry dropping to 14th, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) is promoted to 11th, Enea Bastianini (Gresini Ducati) to 12th, and Miller’s team-mate Francesco Bagnaia to 13th.

The drama unfolded early in riders’ second runs when Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) happened upon #43 on the run from Turn 6 to Turn 7, while on a flyer.

The Frenchman was obviously angered by the incident, seen gesticulating at Miller as he abandoned the lap and eased into the long lap loop at Turn 7/Turn 8.

Race Direction quickly advised that the incident was under investigation, with a decision now reached.

“On 2 April 2022 at 17:41 during the Q2 session of the GRAN PREMIO MICHELIN® DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA you were observed to be riding slow on line disturbing another rider at entry of Turn 7,” reads the official Notification of Sanction, in part.

“This contravenes instructions given to all teams and teams/competitors, and it is considered irresponsible riding causing danger to other competitors. It is therefore an infringement of Article 1.21.2 of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.”

UPDATE: Miller reacts to the penalty

Quartararo subsequently set a lap time of 1:38.281s, ultimately just under six tenths of a second away from the very fastest lap of the session, leaving him sixth on the grid.

Just a fortnight ago, he and Miller had some unkind words for each other when the latter was aggrieved after contact they had in the Indonesian Grand Prix.

In Argentina, Aleix Espargaro is set to start from pole position, Aprilia’s first in the MotoGP era, when the race gets underway on Monday at 04:00 AEST.

Starting grid: Argentina MotoGP