Regis Laconi held his hands up and apologised for taking out Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse team-mate
Fonsi Nieto during race one of Saturday's season opening Qatar round.
"I'm really sorry I crashed into Fonsi, it's all my fault, I mistook the distances and I immediately apologised," said the repentant Frenchman.
"I felt someone crashing into me then I realised it was Regis," said Fonsi. "It's a pity when it happens between riders of the same team but it happens..."
Nieto and Laconi were rumoured to have been far from the best of friends last season, but the sick - and very pale - Nieto appeared to be more upset that his physical condition stopped him finishing higher than fifth in race two.
"I should be happy for the race two result, but I'm angry because of the distance I had on them," declared the former 250GP star, who crossed the line just 0.05secs behind
Noriyuki Haga. "It wasn't a tyre or bike problem, it's me, unfortunately my head was 'like a ball' because of my physical condition and I wasn't able to do better. It's a pity 'cause the bike was really good. In the middle of the race I rode trying to save the tyres and when Kagayama and Lanzi were behind me I knew I was ready to open the gas and so it was, they remained behind me."
Laconi finished just eleventh in race two and was happy just to put the event behind him.
"In race two I fought as hard as I could but all this aggressiveness finished the front tyre too soon. Fortunately there's only one Losail round.... everything will be better in Phillip Island."
