MotoGP’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring was red-flagged on the ninth lap after a terrifying crash between Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco.
Petronas Yamaha rider Morbidelli clipped Zarco’s Ducati as the Avintia rider defended his position in the battle for seventh approaching the sharp uphill Turn 3 left-hander, their two bikes sent towards the apex at high speed.
Both bikes crossed the racing surface on the exit of Turn 3 at speed while shedding debris – Zarco’s having already slammed into the airfence on the inside – and threaded the needle between the two works Yamahas of Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi, miraculously avoiding clipping either.
Valentino Rossi was this close to being hit by a stray bike.
He is so, so lucky to avoid this.
Red flag waved. pic.twitter.com/I06R54BLAF
— MotoGP on BT Sport (@btsportmotogp) August 16, 2020
The two crashed riders had separated from their bikes by then, rolling into the inside gravel trap, but while Zarco was swiftly back on his feet, Morbidelli was left on his knees and had to be stretchered off from the site of the crash.
MotoGP reported he remained conscious, and he was soon standing upright as he walked into the ambulance.
The race is due to be restarted over a 20-lap distance.
It was the second major accident at the Red Bull Ring on the day, with Hafizh Syahrin hitting the fallen bike of Enea Bastianini during the Moto2 race, which launched Syahrin into the air, shredded his bike and left him with a pelvic contusion and requiring a hospital trip.
Pol Espargaro was in the lead of the MotoGP race at the point when it was red-flagged, while championship leader Fabio Quartararo had slipped down to last place after a Turn 4 error.
