The incident involving Francesco Bagnaia’s drunk driving during the summer break, he believes, won’t ‘compromise’ his focus for this weekend’s British MotoGP at Silverstone.
Early this month, when returning from a party in Ibiza, the Ducati star crashed a road car and failed a breathalyzer test.
The Italian returned to the MotoGP paddock for the first time on Thursday at Silverstone following the incident, for which Spanish media have predicted he may receive a one- to four-year driving suspension.
“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 happen. I really did a mistake. I understand.”
Later, when Bagnaia was questioned about whether he would have consented to being fined by either MotoGP or Ducati for the incident, his teammate Jack Miller, who was also there at the press conference, intervened to end the exchange.
“For what? It’s just bringing up negativity and we don’t need to bring it up,” Miller said. “He said what he had to say and that’s it.”
The morning after the incident, Bagnaia’s comments on the subject were made via social media and were as follows: “Last night I was in Ibiza with my friends for a party during this break from MotoGP.”
“We celebrated and toasted together for my victory at the Dutch GP. As I was leaving 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.”
“However, the alcohol 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 practically a non-drinker, and it was a serious carelessness which should not have happened.”
“I apologise to everyone, and I can assure you that I have learned my lesson. Never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. Thank you.”
In the previous six races, Bagnaia has scored three victories and three DNFs. He now holds the fourth-place position in the world championship, 66 points behind championship leader Fabio Quartararo.
