Marquez and Bezzecchi collide at Qatar Sprint Turn 1

Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi made contact at Turn 1 on the fourth lap of the Sprint Race in Lusail, sparking debate. Bezzecchi dived to the inside of the Ducati rider to attempt a pass, and as Marquez re-entered the corner the two touched. Bezzecchi crashed and was mathematically eliminated from the title race.

Race director Simon Crafar and the stewards reviewed the incident, classed it as a racing incident and imposed no penalty on Marquez. Former rider Roberto Rolfo was critical of Bezzecchi, saying he had squeezed into a space where there was no room, while Max Biaggi said it was a racing incident and that Bezzecchi could have won the race.