BOM SAYS FERNANDEZ STILL THINKS LIKE A MOTO3 RIDER

Raul Fernandez’s angry response to his collision with Marco Bezzecchi at the Indonesian Grand Prix has drawn criticism from veteran crew chief Peter Bom, who said the Trackhouse rider still reacts like a Moto3 newcomer despite nearing the end of his fifth MotoGP season.

The dispute began in the Mandalika Sprint, when the pair collided at the first corner. Fernandez, who had taken his first premier-class pole, accused Bezzecchi of unprofessional riding and claimed he had disregarded team instructions. The crash left Fernandez with two broken fingers. Their teams, Trackhouse and Aprilia, met before Sunday’s race in an effort to ease tensions. Bezzecchi later made contact with Fernandez’s rear tyre during the warm-up practice-start window, adding to the Spaniard’s frustration.

Speaking on the Oxley Bom podcast, Bom said Fernandez’s criticism had become too personal. “First of all, to keep yelling like that is a little bit like a Moto3 guy,” he said. “In his head, he’s probably still a Moto3 guy.” Bom added that MotoGP riders are generally calmer and more likely to accept that incidents can happen in racing, saying Fernandez “kept making it personal.”

Journalist Mat Oxley also contrasted the riders’ temperaments, describing Bezzecchi as someone who enjoys joking with the media and others, while calling Fernandez “so bloody serious all the time.” Fernandez had a reputation for being hot-headed in the lower classes, and Bom’s remarks suggest that impression has not entirely faded.

The episode comes as Fernandez may be asked to follow team orders in the remaining races. Aprilia’s Jorge Martin and Bezzecchi are competing with Ducati’s Marc Marquez for the championship, and Fernandez’s agent has said the rider would comply without hesitation. That could help preserve his relationship with Aprilia after signing a new contract.

Oxley had previously suggested Fernandez lost focus after securing his extension, which had been uncertain for a period. Fernandez responded on track in Indonesia, however, finishing second despite his broken fingers.