According to Uncini, the head of security, the new barrier in turn 3 is only a temporary solution – is there a chicane?
Spielberg. After the memorable August 16, there were also falls on the second racing weekend of the Motorcycle World Championship in Austria. For example, during the Moto2 training session on Saturday, the bike of a fallen rider was again lying on the track behind the crest after turn one. This time, however, all the pilots passed without any damage. Sam Lowes fell after a highsider at Turn 3 and injured his shoulder slightly.
It was in this corner that horror scenes happened in the MotoGP last Sunday when Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi were missed by just a few millimeters from the motorcycles of Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco who had fallen before. That is why a 12-meter-long safety wall that is widened towards the apex of the curve has been erected there. Lowes’ Kalex started to burn on Saturday too, but the bike was quickly extinguished.
The barrier is only a temporary measure
IRTA security chief Franco Uncini has meanwhile made it clear that the new barrier is only a temporary measure. The structure was erected in a very short time by those responsible in order to better protect the motorcycle pilots at this critical point.
For the future, however, one needs a different and, above all, permanent improvement, urged Uncini on the MotoGP website (www.motogp.com). The 65-year-old Uncini is a former GP driver and was world champion in the 500cc class in 1982. The motorcycle world championship extended its contract with Spielberg to 2025 last year.-
What the permanent change can look like is questionable. Because the Red Bull Ring must also remain homologated for Formula 1. Obviously, many MotoGP riders would like other solutions. One topic, for example, is a chicane in front of the 300 km / h fast left bend that leads to Turn 3.
Praise from pilots
Race director Andreas Meklau explained the biggest advantage of the new barrier, which consists of concrete elements, a high fence, stacks of tires and air fences. “If something like that happens on Sunday again, the motorcycle will be intercepted,” the Austrian is convinced.
After the “almost disaster” everything was analyzed and, above all, talked to the drivers, Meklau explained on ServusTV. “In the end you can be proud of what you have implemented here in a sensationally short period of time. Even if we cannot say one hundred percent that everything is safe. But what could be done was done.”
MotoGP rider Jack Miller also praised the quick reaction of the track operators. “Dorna and Spielberg did a great job,” said the Australian. There is basically a lot to improve on the corner, says Miller. “But now this is at least a start.”
After the scary incident, Rossi reported that he had spoken a lot with his family in the days before returning to Spielberg. “It was really dangerous, I was really scared,” the nine-time motorcycle world champion admitted once again that it was difficult for him to get the horror out of his head.
Nevertheless, he will continue in MotoGP next year, the 41-year-old assured. “And if I stop then I’ll still do dangerous things,” the Italian can imagine car races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans or the Dakar.
KTM rider Brad Binder also welcomed the improvements in Turn 3 of the Red Bull Ring, but put it into perspective. “No route is one hundred percent safe.” Meklau agreed. “They don’t exist anywhere in the world.” The risk is always there. “I hope we can get through this weekend well.”
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