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The 'Gonzalez case' shows no sign of dying down. The Spanish rider in Motegi not only won the race, but was also the protagonist of a gesture that sent Team Gresini sponsor QJ Motor into a rage. On the grid, in fact, Manuel wore the hachimaki sash, a symbol that offends China because it is associated with the invasion of Japan during World War II.
QJ Motor even went so far as to demand the rider's dismissal, and the matter is still not closed. In an official note, Team Gresini explained that "Motegi also staged an incident that involved Manuel Gonzalez who wore a Japanese headband during the starting grid. Such act - although unintentional - eventually hurt the sensibility of the Chinese people. QJMotor and Gresini Racing are now running a positive discussion and it is expected that everything will be solved very soon."
In the meantime, however, the Italian team has removed the Chinese company's logo from the fairings of its Moto2 bikes.
"As a form of respect towards China, Gresini Racing Moto2 Team will race unbranded the remaining four rounds of the 2024 season," continued the official communication.
The team will therefore not have its main sponsor in Australia, as will also happen in Thailand, Malaysia and Valencia, and will then see if the collaboration can continue next year.
Gonzalez, for his part, renewed his apology, to QJ Motor: "I’d like to give my sincere apologies to everyone who felt offended by my grid pictures in Japan. It was never meant to be a political message, but only a set of pictures related to the city hosting the race. This was never intended as a lack of respect or an offensive gesture to the Chinese people, it was an unwitting and involuntary gesture that I regret. I’d like to apologise once again, hoping to receive your forgiveness and support. "
