Romain Febvre: “I want to apologize to the FIM”

Romain Febvre has issued a public apology to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) following his earlier criticism of the organisation’s handling of an incident at the MXGP of France. The Kawasaki rider had expressed frustration that the race was not red-flagged after fellow Frenchman Thibault Benistant’s crash, raising concerns about rider safety. However, after reflecting on the situation and receiving further details about Benistant’s condition, Febvre acknowledged that his initial comments were made impulsively and that the FIM did not have full information at the time. Febvre’s apology came during the MXGP of Germany, where he clarified that he regretted his earlier remarks and recognised the governing body’s efforts to manage the situation responsibly. He emphasised that no rider wants to see injuries on the track and expressed hope that similar incidents would be avoided in the future. His statement was released through Kawasaki Racing Team’s official channels, highlighting a more measured and understanding stance compared to his immediate post-race reaction. On the competitive front, Febvre has shown improvement in the championship standings, moving up to third place despite a challenging start to the season. At the German round, he narrowly missed out on a podium finish due to a combination of mistakes and unfortunate race incidents, including a fall caused by contact with another rider and mechanical issues. Despite these setbacks, Febvre maintained a strong pace and expressed satisfaction with his overall performance, while also congratulating Mathis Renaux on his well-earned victory. The apology and Febvre’s recent form underscore the complex balance between rider safety concerns and the competitive pressures within the MXGP series. His willingness to reconsider his position and publicly acknowledge the FIM’s perspective may help ease tensions within the paddock. Looking ahead, the focus will remain on ensuring the safety protocols are robust while riders continue to push for top results in a highly competitive championship.