Paddock Assault Explained
A
troubling video that was
widely circulated on social
media recently showed a me-
chanic working for the CIP KTM
Moto3 team assaulting then rider
Tom Booth Amos at the 2019
Thai GP.
The Italian technician, who is
currently working as crew chief
to John McPhee in the Max Rac-
ing Husqvarna squad, can be
seen hitting, kicking and pushing
the rider into the wall.
Booth Amos posted a state-
ment soon after the video was
circulated which explained:
"There were a lot of issues with
the team that year that were
never spoken about, and I kept
quiet just to try and keep my ride
for the 2020 season, as it was
my dream to stay in that pad-
dock. This happened after the
race when my bike broke down
due to a mechanic's error, I was
asked to not say anything and to
keep quiet."
Series organizer Dorna has said
it is investigating the matter.
CN
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 40 OCTOBER 4, 2022 P37
Yamaha's
Thailand Turmoil
F
abio Quartararo picked a bad moment for
an off-day in Thailand. Not once over 25
painful laps did he look comfortable as issues
with setup, front tire pressure and visibility con-
tributed to a disastrous finish of 17th. In just 42
minutes, his 18-point lead was shredded to two
with all momentum blown out of his sails.
Quartararo promised to front up to a hoard of
six Ducatis in the dry. Instead, it ended with the
Frenchman storming out of his garage, incon-
solable after this showing. The fact he left the
track without speaking to his team or the media of-
fered an insight into his mood on Sunday evening.
From Cal Crutchlow's point of view, the front
tire pressure was incorrect, and the bike wouldn't
turn. "We couldn't lean the bike, couldn't go
around the corner. Too much heat in the front
tire, too much pressure in the front tire. The tire
pressure was just so high. Already on the first
lap of the race. I pushed with the rear a lot, and
then I ripped the center out of the rear of the tire
because I was riding with the rear a lot to compen-
sate for the front."
CN
Thailand was about
as bad as it could get
for Fabio Quartararo,
who has seen his title
advantage wiped out.
