Dani Pedrosa “very lucky” in fiery Styria MotoGP crash
KTM wildcard Dani Pedrosa says he was “very lucky” to escape unscathed from the fiery accident involving Lorenzo Savadori in the red-flagged MotoGP Styrian Grand Prix.
Pedrosa crashed at Turn 3 on the third lap of Sunday’s race at the Red Bull Ring and his KTM was left stranded on the racing line.
Aprilia’s Savadori was caught unsighted as he exited the corner and smashed into the KTM, launching him off his bike as both machines erupted in flames from the contact.
Fire spread across the circuit at Turn 3 and necessitated a lengthy red flag period, while Savadori suffered a broken ankle and will miss next weekend’s Austrian GP.
Pedrosa was able to take the 27-lap restart and finished 10th in his first race since retiring after the 2018 Valencia GP.
The Spaniard was at a loss to explain why he crashed and doesn’t think he’s ever been in a situation where he was left stranded on circuit while bikes flew past him.
“So, yes, a rough start in the first race because I don’t know why I had this crash,” he said. “I think it was third lap and maybe I touched the inside line or maybe the tyre was too cold on the right-hand ride; I was using the hard compound on the front with these colder conditions today.
“I don’t know why, I went into the turn when I was at maximum angle and I just tried to pick up the bike out of the turn and the bike didn’t pick up and I stayed on the floor.
“I spun in the middle of the track, unfortunately Savadori hit my bike and he’s hurt, so I’m sorry for him. But I was very lucky, I don’t think I had this situation before in my career, so it was a little bit of a shock seeing all the bikes passing by one side and the other.
“But fortunately, it was all good for me.”
Crash at turn 2
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
This was the third-successive MotoGP race at the Red Bull Ring to be red-flagged for a serious incident, once again raising questions over the safety of the circuit for premier class machinery.
But while most rider agree safety does need improved, many believe Sunday’s accident was one that could happen anywhere.
“I don’t think this was a freak accident in that this can happen at this circuit – this can happen at any circuit,” Petronas SRT stand-in Cal Crutchlow said.
“They were lucky. It was good that they were both OK, obviously Lorenzo’s got an injured ankle but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
Ducati’s Jack Miller added: “Today’s red flag was a bit different. That can happen in any track, when one bike crashes and another one hits it when everything is so close together.
“So, I don’t think that was the track’s fault today.”
Share Or Save This Story
MotoGP 2025: Full rider line-up revealed
A year on from Marquez’s Germany MotoGP meltdown, has Honda improved?
What’s behind MotoGP’s right-hander chaos in Germany practice?
Why Dani Pedrosa won't replace Maverick Vinales at Le Mans, despite his form
Dani Pedrosa reveals the ‘crazy’ training that helped him master wet MotoGP races
Dani Pedrosa reflects on ‘Fantastic Five’: ‘In Stoner I saw things I simply couldn't do’
Isack Hadjar to miss F1 Dutch GP, Red Bull replacement confirmed
How F1 drivers spent the 2026 summer beak
Pedro Acosta: “I’ve never had friends in the paddock, I don’t have any qualms overtaking anyone”
F1 pre-start procedure to stay despite FIA saying it is no longer a safety issue
How MotoGP's summer break has revitalised Aprilia's factory team
What we learned from MotoGP’s return at the British GP
The humble origin story of a MotoGP powerhouse
Does nobody want to win the 2026 MotoGP title?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments