Francesco Bagnaia has picked up a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix after being found guilty of irresponsible riding during Friday morning’s FP1 session.
The Ducati rider is heading into the Misano race weekend looking to take a further chunk out of Fabio Quartararo’s 44-point lead in the riders standings, Bagnaia managing the sixth best time in the curtain-raising test of the weekend.
The Italian backed off after taking the chequered flag at the end of the 45-minute session though and cruised through the opening few turns on the racing line, in the process getting in the way of the rapidly approaching LCR Honda of Alex Marquez and Gresini’s Enea Bastianini.
Bagnaia’s part in the incident has earned him a potentially-crucial three-place grid drop for the San Marino GP, giving title rival Quartararo a possibly key advantage in starting position.
