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Disastrous Incident at Qatar Grand Prix: Di Giannantonio Speaks Out
Team VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio has described the moment he collided with Jorge Martin during the Qatar Grand Prix as “the worst scene of my life.” The incident occurred as Martin, riding for Aprilia, lost control of his bike while exiting the fast Turn 12 on lap 14, leading to a devastating crash.
“He was right in front of me and went a bit wide. I was quite close to him,” Di Giannantonio recounted, detailing the harrowing experience of the crash. “I attempted to overtake him, but once he went down, his body was directly in my bike’s path. It was a high-speed corner.”
Di Giannantonio expressed the helplessness he felt in that moment, stating, “I didn’t have any chance to go anywhere, so I touched him.” As the race unfolded, the seriousness of the situation became clear.
The Aftermath of the Crash
Following the crash, Martin was observed on the track, visibly in pain and discomfort. This incident marked Martin’s return to racing after having sustained injuries during a pre-season training accident. Upon being transported to a hospital in Doha, medical staff confirmed that Martin had suffered eight fractured ribs and chest trauma; he is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. It is still undetermined whether these injuries were the result of the crash itself or the subsequent contact with Di Giannantonio’s Ducati.
Reflecting on the race’s decision-making, Di Giannantonio admitted to being shocked that the event did not receive a red flag after Martin’s fall. “Honestly, I have goosebumps just thinking about it,” he stated. “It was a severe crash, and he was still down on the ground. I kept watching the large screens to see if he was alright.”
Despite the severity of the incident, yellow flags were the only indicators of danger, waving for nearly two laps before Martin was moved from the scene, although this was not captured on the broadcast.
Continuing the Race Amidst Uncertainty
Di Giannantonio continued to compete in the race, ultimately finishing in 16th place after a previous incident involving Alex Marquez. Throughout the race, his thoughts were with Martin. “I was racing hard, but my mind was constantly on him. I even stopped by his pit box at the end of the race to check on his condition with the team,” he shared.
This incident underscored the risks inherent in MotoGP racing and the physical toll it takes on riders. As the motorsport community reflects on the implications of such incidents, the hope is for swift recoveries for injured competitors and renewed discussions on safety measures within the sport.
Source
www.motorsport.com