Di Giannantonio’s Speed Up team appeal Misano Stewards’ call - UPDATED

Updated: The FIM MotoGP Stewards’ panel has rejected the appeal by Fabio Di Giannantonio’s +Ego Speed Up team after seeing "no reason" to deviate from the original decision of no further action from the evidence provided.

Fabio Di Giannantonio’s Speed Up team has appealed against the MotoGP Stewards’ decision on the final-lap incident which saw Augusto Fernandez retain his victory in the Misano Moto2 race last time out.

Fernandez appeared to run off track at Turn 11 on the last lap of the Moto2 race at the San Marino round, gaining momentum through the fast right-hander, before pulling off a block pass up the inside at Turn 14 to take the lead and charge to victory.

A Stewards’ investigation into the incident was launched post-race but no further action was taken meaning Fernandez retained his victory for Flexbox HP 40 Pons Racing rider ahead of Di Giannantonio.

But since “a miscommunication in Misano” the Speed Up squad were not given official notification of the decision until today during the build-up to the Aragon round – leading to an official appeal being lodged.

“Following the Moto2 race at the Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, Augusto Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (+Ego Speed Up) were required to attend a hearing with the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel at 15:30 local time (GMT +2),” a MotoGP statement read.

“After the hearing, the Stewards decided to take no further action.

“Due to a miscommunication in Misano, the Speed Up team were given official notification of this decision on the Thursday of the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragon, whereupon they chose to appeal the decision.

“The case has therefore now been referred to the FIM MotoGP Appeal Stewards, who are currently discussing it.”

If the appeal is upheld, Fernandez is likely to face a post-race time penalty which would drop him down the final classification order a duly hand victory to Di Giannantonio.

During the pre-event Aragon MotoGP press conference, Marc Marquez asked for clarity over track limit penalties and cited the Moto2 incident at Misano as a bad example set for future cases.