Martin receives a grid penalty for the Dutch MotoGP following an incident in qualifying

MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin has been given a three-place grid penalty for the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix after impeding Raul Fernandez in qualifying.

Pramac Ducati rider Martin qualified second at Assen and stayed there in Saturday’s 13-lap sprint, losing out to title rival Francesco Bagnaia.

During qualifying, several drivers tripped over each other and aborted laps because they were either trying to get towed or to avoid being chased. Martin was one of those affected.

Video footage shows him returning to the first corner with just over three minutes to go, gesturing toward the traffic in front of him before looking back.

Trackhouse Racing’s Fernandez is behind Martin on the track at this moment, but it is not clear at what point in Turns 2 and 3 – where the incident occurred according to the FIM Commissioner – the Aprilia rider catches up with the slowing Martin.

Then Martin is seen going wide at Turn 4, allowing Fernandez to get under him before making light contact at Turn 5. The Pramac driver clipped Fernandez from behind as he slowed to vent his frustration at Martin.

Initially, the race stewards released a document stating that Martin would be penalised for an incident in Friday’s second practice session, but quickly clarified that it was a Q2 offence.

Martin drops from second to fifth on the grid, allowing Maverick Vinales to move up to second, Alex Marquez to third on the front row and Aleix Espargaro to fourth.

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

The FIM document states: “On 29 June 2024 at 11:36.33, during the second qualifying round at the Motul TT Assen, you (Martin) were observed driving slowly in turns 2-3 and interfering with another rider – No. 25 (Fernandez).

“This contravenes the specific instructions given to MotoGP competitors and teams regarding the interruption of the session and is considered irresponsible riding. It is therefore a violation of Article 1.21.2 of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations.

“For the reasons stated above, the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel has imposed a three-place grid penalty for the Motul TT Assen MotoGP race.”

Since this was Martin’s first offense of the season, the punishment was lenient.

Martin’s penalty was imposed specifically for the Dutch GP and not for the next Grand Prix he competes in. This wording came into use last year after controversy arose over the change in wording of a penalty imposed on Marc Marquez in Portugal.

According to the current wording of Martin’s penalty, he would not have to serve this grid penalty if he is unable to start the GP on Sunday due to an injury.

However, since this alternative wording came into use, there have been several inconsistencies in the penalty notices issued by the race management regarding the line used.

Martin is now only 15 points ahead of Bagnaia in the championship after the sprint race in Assen. He explained afterwards that he had problems with the support of his front end in turns 6 and 12 during the 13-lap race.