Quartararo: Shaken After Seeing Marc's Wreck in Catalonia
- 18 May 2026 | 16:46
MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo acknowledged the difficulty he faced returning to the starting grid after witnessing Alex Marquez's severe crash during the Catalonia Grand Prix. Marquez collided with Pedro Acosta, whose motor lost power due to an electrical issue, on the straight between turns 9 and 10 in the 12th lap. Following the collision, Marquez performed several somersaults into the safety zone and lay motionless on the ground.
Since Marquez and Acosta were at the front of the pack, all remaining riders had to pass by the incident site and enter the pits after the red flag was displayed. Quartararo admitted it was tough to restart after seeing Marquez in such a state.
Alex Marquez Suffers Spinal Fracture in Catastrophic Fall in Barcelona
"It wasn’t easy to restart after seeing Alex lying on the ground. I was shaken. There was another restart after that. The most dangerous moment is the start, and I don’t like it. I hope and wish a speedy recovery for all injured riders. It wasn’t an easy day," Quartararo explained.
Photos: Gettyimages
This crash is a stark reminder of the risks in MotoGP. How can the sport continue to improve safety measures? We need to see real changes to protect these fearless riders.