This follows Brad Binder’s demotion from third to fifth in today’s sprint race, after the KTM rider ventured just a fraction onto ‘the green’ exiting the right-hander at Stekkenwal.
Due to the penalty being issued so late in the race, three seconds were added to his finishing time in lieu of a long-lap penalty.
Asked if the circuit has always been difficult from a track limits perspective, race winner Marco Bezzecchi said: “For me, it’s always been difficult. If you check where we go over track limits, it’s always Turn 8 [Stekkenwal] and the last corner.
“Normally when you exit a corner, you go straight, but there the [kerb curves inwards].
“So it’s difficult to control the bike, but it’s a characteristic of the track, so we have to adapt.
“I hit the green many times during the practice sessions! So it was difficult to manage in the race.”
Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia, who finished second behind VR46 Ducati stablemate Bezzecchi, added: “These are fast corners, and it’s difficult to control the movements of the bike with this kind of speed.
“At Turn 8, you try to exit as straight as possible, but, like Marco said, the kerb comes towards your line.”
Source: Autosport