British MotoGP at Silverstone: Jack Miller defends Francesco Bagnaia from question about drink driving

Francesco Bagnaia insists his summer break drink-driving incident will not ‘compromise’ his focus for this weekend’s British MotoGP at Silverstone.
Francesco Bagnaia British MotoGP, 4 August
Francesco Bagnaia British MotoGP, 4 August

The Ducati star failed a breathalyser test after crashing a road car while on his way home fꦚrom a party in Ib♌iza, early last month.

Thursday at Silverstone was the first time the Italian had been back in the MotoGP🅺 paddock since the incident, for which Spanish media predict he could face a driving ban of .

“I already said on my social [media] channels what I think. Three-four weeks have now passed [and so] it’s not something that can compromise my mindset for a race [weekend💙],” Bagnaia said.

“It was a mistake, an error that I did. Unfortunately, it’s something that can happeꦗn. I really diಌd a mistake. I understand [that],” he added.

When Bagnaia was then pressed on whether he would have accepted receiving a penalty from MotoGP or Ducati for the incident, team-mate Jack Miller – also present in the press conference - stepped in to clo💛se down the questioning.

“For what?” Miller said. “I🌳t’s just bringing up negativity and we don’t need to bring it up.

"He said what he had to say and that’s it.”

Bagnaia's only previous words on the matter, delivered via social media the♓ morning after the incident, were: “Last night I was in Ibiza with my friends for a party during this break froཧm MotoGP.

“We celebrated and toasted together for my victory at ꦓthe Dutch GP.

“As I was leavi⛄ng the disco🎐 at 3am I was facing a roundabout when I ended up with the front wheels in a ditch, without involving other vehicles or people.

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“However, the alc𒁃ohol test carried out by the police found that the blood alcohol level was higher than what is allowed by Spanish law.

“I am sorry for what happened; I am practical꧙ly a non-drinker, and it was a serious ca🃏relessness which should not have happened.

ꦍ“I apologise to everyone, and I cဣan assure you that I have learned my lesson.

“Never geꦦt behiꦫnd the wheel after drinking alcohol. Thank you.”

Bagnaia, who has three wins and three DNFs in the last six races, starts this weekend’s race sitting fourth in the world championship, 66 points 🐲behind Fabio Quartararo.

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