A slap from the Aprilia rider to his Yamaha꧒ rival’s helmet on Sat🐈urday in Qatar was just the beginning of an ongoing bust-up.

Morbidelli accused Espargaro of “disrespect” and asked: “I wonder whaಞt he w🅷ill say to his kids?”

Espargaro apologised for the slap but fumed that Morbidelli𓂃 had “crosse🥂d a sacred line” by mentioning his family.

TNT Sports’ Sylva🅘in 🉐Guintoli said about Espargaro: “[Somebody needs to] chat to him, and tell him to calm down a little bit. 

“Becauseᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱☂ᩚᩚᩚ we don’t want anything bad to happen. 

“When those guys are onဣ track, you put your life at𓆉 risk. 

“You don’t want🍌 that feeling between the r🔯iders. That’s not nice.”

Neil Hodgson added: “With those comments, you feel like no-one has lear𓆏ned a lesson. It fee𝓡ls like we’ve gone full-circle here.”

Suzi Perry said: “Is there ever a situation where it’s okay to lash out and hit somebody? There isn’t, in s🧔port, is there?”

Gavin Emmett replied: “Or, ultimate🍌ly, in a🌞ny other job or walk of life…”

Espargaro was hit with a €10,000 f👍ine and a six-place grid penalty for the slap.

He then injured h🍬is ankle later the same day, meaning he retired early from the Qatar MotoGP🌠 after serving his punishment.

His inclusion in this weekend’s season-finale, and ♛the postseason test, in Valencia may come un꧑der question due to his injury.