The inaugural MotoGP sprint race took place on Saturday at the Portuguese Grand Prix, with Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia triumphing in the 12-lap dash.
Quartararo, who ended up without points in 10th, was involved in a first-lap clash with Joan Mir after the Honda rider made contact with the Yamaha at Turn 13 and crashed.
On the following lap, VR46 Ducati rider Luca Marini crashed into his factory counterpart Enea Bastianini trying an overtake at Turn 5, which has left the latter with a fracture to his collarbone.
Quartararo, who dropped to last after his Mir clash before recovering to 10th, says he doesn’t like the new sprint format because the aggression levels being seen in the shortened contest is dangerous.
“No, not at all,” Quartararo said when asked if he liked the sprint race.
“There will be a big accident soon. It’s a jungle. We are not in car, we are not in cars that in the end you can touch and it’s not a problem.
“It’s much safer. I was super far behind, so I tried to do my best.
“But luckily there was nothing, but there are 20 sprint races missing. So, let’s see.
“You can be aggressive. Today was fine. Only Marini and Bastianini [and Mir] crashed, but for sure in the future there will be much more crashes.”
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Quartararo believes it would be safer to have two full-length races per weekend instead of the sprint, adding: “I’m not surprised [by the aggression levels]. It’s 12 laps. 12 laps, so put two 25-lap races.
“Physically it’s going to be tough, but I mean in 25 laps you have a little bit more time.
“Now [in the sprint], if you lose three positions you are [in trouble]. I was last because I got touched, I tried to be a little better, I learned. But I think for the safety it’s better to have two 25-lap races than one 12-lap.”
This concern about the sprint race follows on a day from Pol Espargaro’s horrible accident, which has left him with a back and jaw fracture.
Numerous riders took aim at the safety of the circuit and the fact that they had been calling for changes for several years.
Quartararo says riders “don’t have the power” to force through the changes they want and that the only solace of the safety situation in the sprint is the fact that “it’s the same for everyone”.
“We don’t have the power,” he began.
“Who decides? We do many things but it’s always after [something…
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