The Catalan Grand Prix turned into a nightmare for MotoGP riders. A mechanical failure in Pedro Acosta's KTM, who was leading the race, caused a sudden loss of power. Álex Márquez, riding behind, could not avoid the collision, violently impacting the wall. His bike was destroyed, and fragments hit other riders, unleashing panic on the track.
Technical analysis: what failed in Acosta's KTM? 🛠️
The incident points to a problem in the electronic control unit or the engine management system. The sudden loss of power on the straight, without warning, suggests a failure in the pressure or temperature sensors. KTM will need to thoroughly review the telemetry to determine whether it was a software error or a faulty physical component. The safety of the riders depends on these failures being identified and corrected.
Restart: when fate wants you to crash again 💥
After the red flag, race direction decided on a restart. And, as if the Catalan asphalt was hungry for crashes, Johann Zarco, Pecco Bagnaia, and Luca Marini decided to perform another high-impact choreography. It seems some riders thought the first red flag was just a warm-up. Good thing there wasn't a third restart, because the paddock already looked like a body shop.