Haven’t we heard Hector Barbera’s apology before?

When Hector Barbera slammed into the back of Dani Pedrosa’s factory Honda RC213V machine on the first lap of last Sunday’s Misano MotoGP race, it was expected he would be full of remorse and apologetic for being the instigator of one of the defining moments of 2012.

So it was no surprise when the Pramac Ducati press statement highlighted Barbera’s regret at causing an accident that put a massive dent in Pedrosa’s bid to win the MotoGP crown for the first time.

The Repsol Honda rider now trails Jorge Lorenzo by a massive 38-points with five races remaining.

The Pramac Ducati press release was even headlined ‘Apologies to Dani’ and then included quotes about what had happened in the crash and how sorry he was for taking out Pedrosa.

Barbera said: “It’s a shame. I was impatient to get back on the track, but my adventure finished too early to enjoy myself. Unfortunately, when I followed Dani’s wheel I lost my braking point and hit the brakes far too late. I tried to slow the bike down, but I lost grip on the front.

“I’m very disappointed, even more so because I took out Dani in the process and that was the last thing that I wanted to happen. It was my fault that he crashed out and I apologise profusely to him for that.

“I also apologise to my team that worked so hard this week. Now I have to wait another two weeks, but I will be ready for the Spanish round.”

Those with good memories in the paddock though recalled hearing Barbera’s apology before.

In a similar incident involving Lorenzo and Gresini Honda rider Alvaro Bautista in Assen back in June, the subsequent apology issued by the Italian team’s post race press statement read: “Unfortunately, when I followed Dovizioso’s wheel I lost my braking point and hit the brakes far too late.

“I tried to slow the bike down, but lost grip on the front and low-sided. I am very disappointed, even more so because I took out Lorenzo in the process and that was the last thing that I wanted to happen. It was my fault that he crashed out and I apologise profusely to him for that.

“I hope that nothing similar ever happens again. I also apologise to my team, because they worked so hard this week, only to miss out on what could have been a great result due to this mistake.”