Quartararo Escapes Injury in Mandalika Practice Crash

Former MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo escaped serious injury after a crash during Friday practice at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

The French rider lost control of his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team bike at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit. He tumbled through the gravel run-off area. Luckily, he walked away without any major injuries ahead of the rest of the race weekend.

Friday track time is divided into important practice sessions. Riders use this time to set up their bikes. They also try to earn an automatic spot in the main qualifying shootout. If you want to understand how riders use these opening sessions, you can read our guide on MotoGP practice sessions explained.

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What happened during the crash?

Quartararo was pushing hard for a fast lap time. He slid off the racing line and skidded across the tarmac run-off area. He then hit the deep gravel trap at speed.

Modern run-off areas are designed to slow down fallen riders safely. However, hitting the gravel bed caused the Yamaha rider to tumble violently across the stones.

Trackside medical teams checked the 2021 world champion after the heavy fall. Doctors quickly cleared him of any broken bones or serious injuries. He then walked back to the Yamaha pit garage on his own, ready for Saturday.

To learn more about how protective gear, airbags and runoff zones protect racers during such moments, see our breakdown of MotoGP crashes and rider safety.

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Why are the Mandalika gravel traps under scrutiny?

The incident brought fresh attention to the track design at the Indonesian circuit.

After the crash, riders raised concerns about a noticeable drop between the flat tarmac and the gravel. When a sliding rider hits an uneven step like this, they can flip into the air instead of sliding smoothly to a halt.

Quartararo said he felt lucky to avoid a bad injury during the tumble. He noted that the crash felt like heavy falls seen here in past seasons. As a result, riders have called on circuit bosses to smooth out the border between the track and the gravel.

The coastal track on the island of Lombok is famous for its fast, flowing corners and warm climate. You can explore the circuit in detail in our Mandalika track guide. However, rider safety remains a big talking point whenever track designs lead to nasty flips.

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What does this mean for Quartararo’s weekend?

Because Quartararo walked away unhurt, he can still take part in Saturday’s qualifying and Sprint race.

The factory Yamaha team has had a tough run of results lately. At the previous round in Japan, Quartararo scored just one point in the Sprint and finished 12th in the Grand Prix. Avoiding injury means he can keep working on his bike without losing valuable track time.

With round 17 underway, every lap counts. The title fight is heating up between leaders Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez. For Quartararo, staying fit means he can focus on scoring solid points in both weekend races.

Quick Takeaways

• Fabio Quartararo crashed during Friday practice at the Indonesian Grand Prix but walked away unhurt.
• The crash happened at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, sending the Yamaha rider tumbling across the gravel run-off.
• The incident re-opened debates among riders about the drop between the tarmac and the gravel trap.
• Quartararo will continue his race weekend, competing in Saturday qualifying and the Sprint as planned.