The Honda rider followed Vinales out of the pit lane in his two races in the first 15-minute shootout in Mugello on Saturday afternoon.
Vinales was visibly angry about this, and the Yamaha rider even broke an outlap to come down the pit lane again to try to shake off Marquez – just so the Honda man could follow him.
Taking one lap to get into Q2, Vinales had no choice but to push with Marquez behind it, with the Honda rider able to outperform the Q1 that chased the Yamaha.
Vinales was supposed to join him in the second session, but made a mistake in the last corner on his last lap and instead has to start 13th.
When asked what happened in Q1 after Fabio Quartararo’s pole lap in the Italian GP, Meregalli told motogp.com: “On the other side of the pit, unfortunately, it looks like Marc Marquez is getting better and better because he’s himself behaves as before.
“And I really did something that he really shouldn’t be.
“I don’t want to end what I really want to say.
“I hope that Race Direction will maybe decide something, because for me his behavior was not fair.”
Maverick Vinales, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
This isn’t the first time this season Marquez has weathered a rider’s criticism for a similar tactic, with Joan Mir calling it “dangerous” during the Portugal weekend.
Regarding Quartararo’s fourth straight pole, Meregalli noted the importance of the front row, now Yamaha has a front holeshot device but is expecting a “really difficult” race.
“Fabio’s job was great and now I think the outcome of the race will depend on different things,” he added.
“Maybe the tire management, the temperature, the conditions in general.
“But you know, it is very important for us to start in the front row, even with the new front starter I think that it will be another little help for us.
“We certainly did a pretty good job this weekend on this side of the garage and removing tires.
“I think it has improved from session to session.
“I just assume that tomorrow will be a really difficult and tough race for everyone. There will be more than one driver fighting for victory. “