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The world championship calendar in times of coronavirus leads athletes to atypical situations. For example, to return to compete on the same circuit five days after two chilling crashes occurred that uncovered the weaknesses of a track designed for Formula 1 and on which, since 2016, MotoGP has also been raced. That is what has happened since this Friday in Austria, with the Grand Prix of Styria at the Red Bull Ring, which hosts the races for the second consecutive week.
"It's like putting a plaster on a gunshot wound." That's how eloquent Jack Miller was. The Pramac Ducati rider believes that the modification of the defenses at turn three, the scene of a terrible accident last Sunday, is an insufficient solution. Especially when the bikes will repeatedly reach 300 km / h this weekend on a circuit, the Red Bull Ring, in Spielberg, which proved quite dangerous just a few days ago.
The band-aid Miller was talking about this Thursday is the only provisional modification of the area that the championship organizers have been able to improvise in just four days, those that have passed between the last race and the first free practice this Friday. In the short loophole located in turn three that Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli, as well as their respective motorcycles, came at full speed, Dorna, the organizer of the World Cup, has built a kind of wall with New Jersey concrete barriers, protected by two rows of tires and covered all with inflatable fenders, known as air fence , which should absorb the impact of any object. The extension of that wall or protection is done with the intention of avoiding that if an accident or fall like the one last Sunday occurs again, no motorcycle crosses the track, becoming a danger for the rest of the riders.
The drivers, who already had to complete a 20-lap race last week after seeing how Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi had narrowly saved themselves from an accident that could have fatal consequences, view the proposed solution in the Red with some reluctance Bull Ring.
"I do not think that is the solution, it already happened dry. Imagine what can happen in a race in water, "said Alex Márquez. “This circuit is dangerous and those two corners, two and three, are the worst point. By extending the protection they will prevent what happened to Zarco's motorcycle, which was fired, but Morbidelli's did not leave the asphalt at any time. That does not solve it, "said Valentino Rossi, who also explained that at the meeting of the Safety Commission this Friday he will propose a modification of the route in that area for the next few years. He is aware, however, that a lot of money is needed for such a remodel.
Most riders, like Quartararo, assume that they have no choice but to accept the current provisional modification if they aspire to continue competing this weekend: "It's a provisional solution, so if a motorcycle hits there at least it won't get fired." “Turns two and three are a bit more dangerous than other parts of the championship, but it is very difficult to make a perfect and safe circuit. They have made an important change in the wall, it will be safe ”, declared Andrea Dovizioso.
Zarco, severely sanctioned
Five days after the accident that has generated so much debate, Zarco and Morbidelli had to wait until this Friday to hear the resolution of the MotoGP commissioners panel, led by former rider Freddie Spencer, who has decided to sanction the Frenchman with a stiff penalty. Zarco will have to start from the pit lane this Sunday for what the World Cup judges have considered "irresponsible driving."
The Sponsorama Racing rider did not participate in the first session of the weekend. The collision with Morbidelli last Sunday caused a scaphoid fracture of the right hand on which he underwent surgery this Wednesday in Italy. The minimum recovery periods prevented him from participating in the first training session, but the runner is confident that he will be back on the track this Friday afternoon.
The two accidents last Sunday were resolved without serious consequences. Although, to the late incorporation of Zarco to the training sessions is added the loss of Syahrin, the rider who came off the worst off the coke in Moto2. The severe pain in his pelvis and leg makes him attend this Styrian grand prix as a mere spectator.