Last week we posted the transcript from the wire tap regarding the Monza circuit scandal.
The smoking gun revealed circuit directors knew that the asphalt had problems before the start of the World Superbike round, but kept quiet about it, which will probably cost them an accusation or more likely a fine for willfully ignoring safety regulations in workplaces (the riders in this case were the workers).
Speaking to Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Enrico Ferrari, General Director of the circuit, tried to play down the question, saying that they avoided reporting the ‘bubbles” in order not to create false alarms and that it still has to be proved that it was the asphalt that caused the multiple crashes at the Parabolica.
However, Marco Melandri who was one of the crash victims, is convinced that there is a correlation: “That’s why I crashed! I couldn’t explain it to myself.
I was angry and thinking that I missed seeing a damp patch during the warm-up lap.
” “It was at the end of lap one.
I think the sun was out.
Anyway, I’m certain that in that moment it wasn’t raining and there weren’t any visible damp patches.
I was on the racing line at the turn and I had just starting re-opening the throttle, when I realized that the bike was sliding more than normal, but it was already too late to control it.
I repeat, in front of me I had a clean line and no patches.
I think that the relationship between the presence of the bubbles and the crashes can’t and should not be ruled out,” he also added.
This story isn’t over, but given Italy’s lousy track record regarding judicial proceedings, this whole messy thing could simply blow over and end up down the rabbit hole.
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