until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
The 2020 Styrian Grand Prix winner Miguel Oliveira is potentially in doubt for this weekend’s MotoGP race at the Red Bull Ring after suffering a heavy crash during this morning’s FP1 session.
The Portuguese rider crashed heavily exiting the Turn 3 right-hander and was initially reported as not having broken any bones – but says that he may yet miss out on Sunday’s race.
He high-sided on the exit of the corner in a vicious crash, landing heavily on his left side and initially taking some time to get back to his feet.
Speaking in a brief statement issued by the team afterwards (with his scheduled media appearance cancelled), he explained that complications with the set-up of his bike were at least partly to blame for the incident.
“First of all, I’m disappointed and super-sorry for the start of the weekend,” he said of the crash.
“During the session, my brake lever position ended up being very close to the handlebar and I couldn’t stop the bike, so I came into the pits a few times to understand what was going on and to look for better performance. I went out again and ran a little bit wide in Turn 3. When I opened the gas off the racing line I had no traction control.
Unable to return to the track for the rest of the session and sitting out the afternoon’s wet FP2 session bar one lap, he also conceded that there is a chance that he may not be able to continue tomorrow, depending on the outcome of further medical examination.
“I spun in the air and before I landed,” the Red Bull KTM rider added. “I think I was hit on my hand by the handlebar. This is what hurt the most. We have been clearing any doubt about further damage to see if we can carry on and what we can do.”
