Marco Simoncelli remorseful over Pedrosa collision

Marco Simoncelli has moved to calm the storm of controversy surrounding his collision with Dani Pedrosa in the recent French Grand Prix by admitting his aggressive overtake was wrong.

In the initial aftermath of the Le Mans incident that left Pedrosa nursing a broken right collarbone, the San Carlo Gresini Honda rider protested his innocence, despite several of his rivals accusing him of being too aggressive.

The two-week break between Le Mans and this weekend’s Catalunya race appears though to have given Simoncelli ample time to reflect on the collision.

And the former 250GP world champion has vowed to adopt a more cautious approach in a similar situation in the future and he said: “I have had time over the two-week break to think about the race at Le Mans. I am still disappointed with what happened to Dani and I hope that he has recovered from his injury in time for this weekend.

“I am also disappointed because Honda were unable to celebrate having four bikes in the top four positions at the French Grand Prix. Overall on reflection I have realised where I have gone wrong and in the future I will try at certain times to evaluate the situation better and be a little more cautious.”

Simoncelli is also anticipating a hostile reception when he takes to the track in Catalunya this weekend.

The Montmelo circuit is Pedrosa’s home turf and Spanish fans are certain to create a volatile atmosphere for Simoncelli, who has also clashed with reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo in a verbal bust-up in Estoril earlier this season.

Simoncelli is well aware of what a hot reception he can expect in Catalunya having been the subject of taunts and boos in 2009 when he was forced to retire after crashing in the 250GP race.

He was already unpopular with some Spanish fans after infamous clashes with Alvaro Bautista and Hector Barbera and he said: “I know that I’m probably not going to get a standing ovation at Barcelona but I hope that if I am criticised it is done in a civilised manner and not in the way that has happened in other sports in the past.

“In any case I just want to put the controversy behind me and get out there on my bike and start working towards a race that I am sure the team and I have the potential to do well in.”