Repsol, title sponsor of the factory Honda MotoGP team, says it could reconsider its involvement in the sport following the Malaysian Grand Prix clash between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez.

In a strongly worded statement, the Spanish oil giant slammed Rossi for what it described as a "premeditated" and "unsportsmanlike" kick against Marquez when the duo made contact on the seventh lap of Sunday's Sepang race while fighting for third place.

"Dani Pedrosa achieved a great victory today in the Malaysian Grand Prix - a win that was unfortunately overshadowed by the unacceptable and unsportsmanlike conduct of Valentino Rossi against Repsol Honda Team rider, Marc Marquez," read the statement.

"On the seventh lap of the race, with Marquez and Rossi immersed in a battle for third place that involved several overtaking moves between the two, the Italian - in an absolutely intentional action - dealt an unsportsmanlike kick to the Repsol Honda rider that knocked him to the ground.

"Although Marquez was fortunately able to escape unharmed from the attack, for Repsol the conduct of Rossi is absolutely unacceptable because it endangered - in a premeditated and unsportsmanlike manner - the safety of the Repsol Honda team rider.

"Repsol consider this an unsportsmanlike act incompatible with the values of sport and competition."

Having been the title sponsor of the factory Honda MotoGP effort since 1995, Repsol added that it could reconsider its involvement in the sport, while also calling for a stronger punishment for Rossi, who incidentally rode in Repsol colours on a works Honda in 2002-03.

The Italian rider kept his third place finish, with Race Direction accepting that it was not his intention to cause the Spaniard to crash, but will start from the back of the grid for the title deciding Valencia encounter in two weeks' time.

"Repsol are deeply saddened that situations like that which occurred today in Sepang exist, especially as the company feel proud of sporting values: Companionship, competitive spirit and commitment from riders," continued the statement.

"Without these values, it would not make sense for Repsol to participate in the sport as a sponsor.

"Repsol also call for a clear and strong regulation in the interest of the safety and physical integrity of the riders, which punishes behaviour like that seen today clearly and decisively."

Yamaha says Marquez should be questioned about Rossi MotoGP clash

Yamaha's MotoGP managing director Lin Jarvis believes Marc Marquez's actions towards Valentino Rossi have to be questioned following their controversial clash in the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Rossi was given three penalty points on his licence for causing a collision with Marquez at Sepang, which will result in him being forced to start the championship-deciding final round at Valencia from the back of the grid.

While Rossi's team boss Jarvis said he would not defend Rossi's actions, he believes Marquez was acting in retaliation to comments made by the championship leader prior to the Malaysian race, where Rossi suggested Marquez was trying to interfere with his title hopes.

"The incident on track was the result of at least a couple of races of fierce competition between Marc and Valentino," said Jarvis.

"From the [previous] race in Phillip Island it has led to the accusation Valentino made about Marc's attempt to influence the championship.

"I think what we saw in the race was the revenge of Marc towards Valentino's statements in the media.

"So whilst there was nothing illegal about any single move [by Marquez], you have to see the bigger picture and you have to question the motivation of the style of race and the attempt of Marc to clearly disturb Valentino to the maximum."

Yamaha appealed the decision, which was unanimously rejected by FIM stewards, but Jarvis said it was not in the belief that Rossi was innocent.

"Our job as a team is to defend the interest of our riders," he said.

"So whilst we cannot deny that Valentino's move was not the sort of move we want to see in MotoGP - at the same time we feel the penalty is quite harsh.

"Normally Valentino is not a dirty rider. He is not a rider that creates issues and problems for other people, so as a team we appealed.

"I am not defending his actions - this is why he received the penalty as it was judged that this was not a move within the rules of racing."

Yamaha Racing managing director Lin Jarvis took great pains not to defend the actions of Valentino Rossi at Sepang and, as expected, laid the blame at the feet of Marquez for messing up Rossi’s race.

Jarvis said that although it was a serious incident, no-one was hurt and he also warned that Rossi could come back at Valencia even more determined than ever as he takes up his slot at the back of the grid. “The worst scenario is if someone can’t race again, so today is not the worst scenario. If you analyse the race in detail and study every move of Marc’s, none of them were illegal in any way – but I think you have to see the bigger picture and question the motivation of the style of his race and the attempt to clearly disturb Valentino to the maximum,” said Jarvis.

That means now that Valentino Rossi will go to Valencia with this penalty.

MotoGP is highly competitive, and while it gives Jorge a lot more chance to win, he still has a seven point deficit.”

The sanction imposed by the Race Direction at the Malaysian GP is suspended for now, with a final decision expect Nov. 6th.

On the basis of Article 3.4.2, para 3 of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations, Mr Valentino Rossi has filed an Appeal against the decision taken by the Race Direction of the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang, penultimate round of the FIM MotoGP Grand Prix World Championship, and confirmed by the FIM Stewards, to award 3 penalty points to Mr Rossi following an incident on Turn 14.

In appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Mr Rossi seeks annulment or reduction of the penalty. He further requests stay of execution of the decision in accordance with Article R37 of the Code of Sports-Related Arbitration.

The FIM will not comment any further at this time.

---