Zarco and Morbidelli crashed at over 200km/h before Turn 3 of the Red Bull Ring in the first of two races last year. The Italian could not avoid charging the Frenchman and their bikes were thrown, and they were about to catch up with Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales.
The Cannes rider was penalized to start from the pit lane in the following race for the incident and MotoGP had some protections installed at the top of the curve to prevent a repeat of the incident at the Styrian GP.
Then there was talk about the need to modify that section of the circuit to cut the speed that the drivers reached in turn 2.
However, in an interview with our German edition of.motorsport.com, Spielberg Circuit Director Andy Meklau has confirmed that the track will remain as it is in 2020.
He also noted that the Turn 3 wall will remain in place, while the gravel run-off between Turn 2 and 3 has been extended after considering that Morbidelli’s bike did not brake sufficiently after the crash.
Accidente de Franco Morbidelli
“This is how it is homologated for 2021 and this is how we will contest the grand prix,” explained Meklau. “Everything is done according to the FIM requirements.”
“The Red Bull Ring and Projekt Spielberg are doing everything they can to ensure that the races are safe.”
“As a manager, I can only say that a race has to take place safely for everyone involved, including the spectators.”
“Safety is the top priority. If the bikes get faster, you can talk about a chicane again. We’ll see. That depends on the FIM. They are responsible for the track being safe and homologated.”
“The circuits adapt over the years. In the last ten years I have followed what we have installed regarding safety. The Red Bull Ring is an exemplary circuit.”
The Austrian Grand Prix is scheduled this year for the weekend of August 15, the first race after the summer break.
Photos of the eventful Austrian Grand Prix
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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
