Luca Marini handed grid penalty after Mugello FP2 incident

Honda rider Luca Marini has received a three-place grid penalty for the Italian MotoGP at Mugello after an incident during the final practice session.

The penalty was given after race stewards decided that Marini was riding too slowly on the racing line while entering the pit lane. His actions affected Franco Morbidelli and Jorge Martin, who were approaching at speed behind him. Both riders had to slow down suddenly to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Martin also showed his frustration by raising his hand after the incident.

Officials reviewed the situation and ruled that Marini's riding created a safety risk. Because it was his second offence of this type during the season, the punishment was increased to a three-place grid penalty for Sunday's Grand Prix.

As a result, Marini will start 19th, three positions lower than where he originally qualified. However, the penalty only applies to the main race on Sunday.

The incident happened during a busy qualifying weekend at Mugello, where riders were pushing hard to secure strong starting positions. Jorge Martin still managed to qualify near the front of the grid, while Morbidelli remained inside the top ten despite the disruption.

MotoGP officials continue to take a strict approach to riders who slow down on the racing line because it can create dangerous situations for competitors travelling at much higher speeds. The rule is designed to improve safety and reduce the risk of serious accidents during practice and qualifying sessions.