MotoGP’s team-orders debate has taken a personal turn. Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola answered Marc Marquez with a pointed reference to the relationship between Marc and his brother Alex, as Aprilia pursues its first MotoGP world title and continues to face questions about how its riders are managed.

The issue resurfaced after the Malaysian Grand Prix sprint. Marco Bezzecchi moved past Ai Ogura for third place, and the two riders later collided in the main race. Marc Marquez had argued that Ogura was trying to remain ahead because losing that position would cost him the podium while also taking points away from Bezzecchi.

Rivola said Marquez’s observation did not particularly concern him and suggested that similar team games exist within the Marquez family. He was referring to the Phillip Island sprint, where Alex Marquez had said he would not attempt a risky move on his older brother for the victory. If Alex had made the move and won, Marc would have held a seven-point advantage over Jorge Martin rather than a 10-point lead.

The championship standings add significance to the exchange. Marc Marquez’s Malaysian Grand Prix victory extended his lead to 44 points, while Jorge Martin retired because of a wrist injury. Bezzecchi is 67 points behind, and the Ducati rider can secure the title in Qatar this weekend.

Ducati general manager Gigi Dall’Igna set out the limits of the manufacturer’s approach. He said manufacturers may ask riders for particular behaviour, but that request must stop where respect for the person and the competitor begins. Ducati’s instruction is for its riders to avoid trouble with competitors on the same brand. Dall’Igna also said that Marc and Alex being brothers probably makes situations of this kind easier to manage.